Help with needing to hit "apply" on my VST every time I use system audio.

[Noah G.]

Hi all,

Equalizer APO is great aside from one major issue which prevents me from using it:

I'm using it for room correction with VST2 Fabfilter Pro-Q 3. The issue is that if I don't hit "apply" in the plugin panel almost every single time I switch audio playback apps (no matter what the app is), then there's no audio at all...until I hit "apply" again in the plugin panel. Here's what I've tried, none of which helped so far:

1. Checked "Apply Automatically".
2. Unchecked all the sound enhancement boxes in Windows audio.
3. Un-installed and re-installed Equalizer APO.

Anyone have an idea what the issue might be/other things I can try?

[Peter Verbeek]

Although I don't know what may cause this issue, I have a suggestion as it's about switching playback apps. By default apps have exclusive access to an audio device. This behaviour can be altered on the "Advanced" tab of the sound panel of a device. Are you familiar with this setting?

[Noah G.]

Thanks Peter.

I'm not familiar with that, no. Where can I find that specific sound panel?

[Peter Verbeek]

It's a bit hidden in Windows 10. I guess you aren't a Peace equalizer user which has an easy access to it. So let me walk you through it:
Open Windows 10 settings -> Go to System -> Sound -> Select the proper output device -> Click device properties (I think it's called) -> Click extra properties (at the right) -> In the sound panel that pops up of the device go to the "Advanced" tab -> Uncheck both exclusive mode checkboxes -> Close playback apps -> Open again.

I hope this works but if it doesn't, check those checkboxes as that wasn't the solution.

[Noah G.]

Thank you for the detailed help.

I tried this and unfortunately it didn't work. I wonder if using Peace equalizer might help...

I need to use Pro-Q because it has separate L & R adjustments for room EQ...does Peace equalizer have that?

[Peter Verbeek]

Peace can't fix the precise issue of the Fabfilter Pro-Q 3 plugin. But as Peace is an equalizer with sliders you can equalize the left and right separately or together or any combi of channels separately or together, it's up to you which channels or combi of channels to equalize. To be precise, Peace has a list of speakers (combi). By default it uses "All", "Left", "Right", "Subwoofer", "Center", "Left rear", "Right rear", "Left side", "Right side". But these are mere labels and thus adjustable, for instance one can select the left and right and call it "Stereo". Or select the front speakers and call it "My front speakers" and equalizer those.

[Noah G.]

Ahh, got it, thank you. Sounds great, but I need precise parametric control for the room tuning unfortunately.

Hopefully I can figure out what the problem is with APO.

[Peter Verbeek]

Peace has up til 31 sliders per channel of channel combi. And 16 filters for equalization like peak and high shelf filters.