Equalizer APO not working on Mic

[mabey]

It’s been more than 3 years that I’ve been using Equalizer APO + Peace on my playback devices without any issues.

Recently, I bought a new and proper microphone for Discord calls (Fifine AM8 USB), and that’s where the problem started.

For some reason, Equalizer APO does not work on my capture device.

I’ll break down exactly what I’m doing:

Setup steps

I install Equalizer APO + Peace normally.

I apply my EQ to my playback device (headphones) — works flawlessly.

Then, using Editor.exe, I open the config.txt file.

I include both playback and microphone configurations:

Include: peace.txt (headphones)
Include: mic.txt

In the mic.txt file, I define the capture device and apply simple test filters (for example, gain changes), but nothing affects the microphone signal.

What I’ve already verified

The microphone works correctly in Windows and Discord.

APO is installed system-wide and works perfectly on playback devices.

I reinstalled APO and re-selected devices in the Configurator, including using the Troubleshooting options and testing SFX/MFX and EFX modes.

I tested very obvious filters (high gain, low-pass filter, and gain control) to confirm whether APO is processing the signal at all — no audible effect.

Tested using both Discord and Audacity.

In Windows sound settings for the microphone, I:

Disabled all Enhancements

Disabled “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device”

Disabled “Give exclusive mode applications priority”

From what I can tell, APO is simply not attaching to the capture device, or the filters are not being processed at all.

Is there any known limitation or special requirement for USB microphones / capture devices like the Fifine AM8?
I’ve seen reports of this microphone working with Equalizer APO before, so I’m wondering if there’s something specific I might be missing in my setup. (only difference I see is that I'm also using peace for my playback.)

Screenshots for reference:
https://imgur.com/a/XGaEek6

I tried but couldnt find any log to attach here.

Let me know if any more info is needed.

[Peter Verbeek]

There are a few things. First of all, is your mic.txt a new file? It could refer/select the wrong capture device. This not only concerns the wrong name but also the wrong GUID. The Configurator Editor won't resolve this like Peace tries to do for each device.

And is the "Enable audio enhancements" checkbox still checked for the mic like described here?

Also, Discord can be an issue so initially only use Audacity for testing. And set the mic on WASAPI although DirectSound and MME may work but they may not. When you got this going in Discord you may need to select a different Audio subsystem. Some have this on "Automatic", others on "Legacy".

As you're talking about the Configurator this app always needs a computer restart for invoking any change in the troubleshooting settings. But you could run Peace in administrative mode and let it restart the Windows audio service (Settings -> Debugging and Testing tab). The Device Selector, basically the Configurator with testing abilities, only needs a click on the Ok button to invoke.

Usually SFX/MFX and SFX/EFX are the ones to select but sometimes manufacturer still use LFX/GFX. Talking about this, it could be that newer or even older software from the manufacturer works.

If the "Use original APO" checkboxes are available you might uncheck them.

[mabey]

While writing here, I decided to test LFX/GFX, which was the only option I hadn’t tried yet.

Now it seems to be working, at least in Audacity.

I also tried the debugging/troubleshooting tool, but I don’t think it made any real difference, since I’ve been trying to fix this issue for 3–4 days already, which included multiple system restarts along the way.

for reference, here the link explaining what I tried to do til it worked as I mentioned above.

https://pastebin.com/kBWTk6MS

[Peter Verbeek]

Well, that's a good start. If it works in Audacity then Equalizer APO works on your Fifine AM8. However, Discord can be difficult. I hope you get one of the "Audio subsystem" options to work. A good thing was the unchecking of those exclusive mode checkboxes as Discord and other such apps want to have exclusive access to a mic causing any Audio Processing Object like Equalizer APO not to work.