Controlling EAPO with a USB interface
A system-wide equalizer for Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11
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Hi everybody (hi Peter if you read this ;) ),
I'm thinking of using a USB interface (with a given number of sliders and knobs) to control Equalizer APO in real time. Take these two cheap USB/MIDI interfaces for instance, with 9 sliders and 9 knobs each :
Worlde Easycontrol 9 : https://i.ibb.co/zHTNXRz/maxresdefault.jpg
iCON iControls : https://i.ibb.co/w0CTxX2/dfg.jpg
EDIT - I've just found a third cheap USB/MIDI interface with 9 sliders and LOTS of knobs :
Akai Midimix : https://i.ibb.co/X47XkQQ/613rl-YEAj9-L-AC-SL1200.jpg
So my idea would be to pre-define 9 EAPO filters. Either by using a GUI like PEACE, or by editing config.txt directly.
Then I would use :
- The 9 faders to control the gain for each filter (let's say from +6 to -6 dB)
- The 9 knobs to control the Q factor for each filter (let's say from 1.0 to 5.0)
That would be nice, right ?... :D
I'm wondering how I could achieve this, since I don't believe EAPO is meant to be controlled in that way (which is a pity BTW, it would be more convenient for listening sessions than dragging sliders with a mouse or entering values with a keyboard).
There are apps that can listen to any incoming MIDI signal via USB and convert it to anything else, including keypresses, mouse moves/clicks, etc.
- Free solution (very old, I hope it still works) : http://www.midiox.com
- Commercial solution : https://www.bome.com/products/miditranslator
These apps also allow interval translations, e.g. converting a [0...127] MIDI value from a knob into a [1.0...5.0] value for a Q factor.
That would get me halfway there, but I'd still need to be able to pass such values to EAPO or to an EAPO GUI.
I've opened up a topic on MIDI-OX forum, and I hope to get some help but sadly it's an uncrowded forum, so... http://www.midiox.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=query;action=display;num=1666203413;start=0#0
Or maybe passing values is not the best method, and I would need to pass mouse clicks and stuff. I haven't tested yet because I don't know if it's feasible. Once I know, I will gladly buy an USB interface and start with the testing.
I'm open to any ideas to achieve my goal. Thanks in advance ! :)
Last edit: Jose de la Mancha 2022-10-20
Hi Jose,
It would certainly be nice if Equalizer APO/Peace can be used in that way. I already see some possible solutions such as getting the midi data and 'translate' them to movements of the sliders like you are saying but in a more direct way, either through the midi Windows functions or through the Peace window messaging system. Perhaps take a look at the 'Controlling Peace' chapter of the manual. If you want to test things, how are you at programming :) The most unknown feature of Peace is that one can create his/her own interface and use Peace as an 'audio driver'. In this case an interface in which midi data is translated into Peace commands like 'set gain of slider 5 to 10 dB' (well, is a bit more technical of course that this quoted command). But I also can take a dive into the Windows midi features as I have access to a midi keyboard with some sliders and faders.
I feel passing mouse clicks isn't a good option, passing keys might be as a slider can have it's own up and down hotkey assignments. But the Q values don't have this option.
Hi Jose,
It would certainly be nice if Equalizer APO/Peace can be used in that way. I already see some possible solutions such as getting the midi data and 'translate' them to movements of the sliders like you are saying but in a more direct way, either through the midi Windows functions or through the Peace window messaging system. Perhaps take a look at the 'Controlling Peace' chapter of the manual. If you want to test things, how are you at programming :) The most unknown feature of Peace is that one can create his/her own interface and use Peace as an 'audio driver'. In this case an interface in which midi data is translated into Peace commands like 'set gain of slider 5 to 10 dB' (well, is a bit more technical of course that this quoted command). But I also can take a dive into the Windows midi features as I have access to a midi keyboard with some sliders and faders.
I feel passing mouse clicks isn't a good option, passing keys might be as a slider can have it's own up and down hotkey assignments. But the Q values don't have this option so getting midi data from Windows is the way forward.
[first post]
Hey Peter,
I've just taken a look at 'Controlling Peace'. Wow, that's actually impressive ! I didn't know that. :) I honestly think that's a little too technical for my current level. I'm not used at all to the messaging system. So I will probably spend a lot of time asking for help before having the slightest success. Mega Switcher works, but now I think I know my own limits. ;p
I hate to ask, but since you seem to be interested, maybe you can take a look yourself and see what you can come up with ? Here's the info I have, hoping it will help (you may know this already, but just in case) :
In the case of a USB/MIDI interface like the ones we're talking about, playing with the faders, knobs and even buttons, usually sends CC (Continuous Control) MIDI data. Every fader/knob/button has a CC number, as you can see in the attached picture for example. So if you use the first vertical slider, you will send CC#3 values between 0 and 127. And if you use the first rotary knob, you will send CC#14 values between 0 and 127. You get the idea.
To identify the CC numbers of your own keyboard sliders and knobs and do some testing, you only have to install MIDI-OX and take a look at its events window that listens continuously. You will quickly find the CC numbers that are relevant to you.
In my dreams, what Peace could be able to do would be assigning physical sliders/knobs/buttons to GUI controls :
- Ideally by auto-detection for every relevant GUI control (with a "detect" button that would make Peace listen to any incoming MIDI data)
- Or the next best thing, by just manually entering your own wanted CC number for every relevant GUI control (e.g. CC#3 for your first GUI filter gain slider).
I think it needs to remain relatively simple for the average user. If it requires programming, then almost nobody will do it, which will be a pity. If it's easy to do, I can imagine lots of people wanting to do just like me with their own hardware. Imagine the possibilities with the aforementioned cheap USB/MIDI interface (less than 50 € !) :
- Physical sliders (CC#3-11) assigned to 9 Peace filter gains
- Physical knobs (CC#14-22) assigned to 9 Peace filter frequencies or Q-factors
- Physical buttons (CC#23-31) assigned to enabling/disabling a given Peace filter
- Physical horizontal slider assigned to L/R balance
- Physical white knob on the left assigned to Peace preamp gain
- ...
Last edit: Jose de la Mancha 2022-10-20
[second post]
But like you said, this could only work for filter gains (and preamp gain), because you already have GUI controls for them (sliders). For frequencies and Q-factors you don't have any GUI controls, only text boxes. So... why not add them ? ;) It could be small rotary knobs that would take little space on your GUI. Take a look at what I just did with Photoshop. Lots of pretty rotary controls, that could be controlled by real physical controls. Wouldn't your complete GUI look great like this ? ;)
Dreaming again, but it could even go both ways : if Peace could not only receive but also send MIDI info, then some people could buy a 'relatively cheap' USB/MIDI interface with motorized faders, such as the Behringer X-Touch Compact ( https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61s4VCv+OsL.AC_SL1000.jpg ) or the iCON iControls Pro (not available anymore), and Peace would automatically move the motorized faders with every EQ preset !
I don't necessarily need to go that far myself, I'm just saying thatit could be done...
Just my two cents of course, but if somebody can do this, it's definitely you Peter. :)
Last edit: Jose de la Mancha 2022-10-20
Nice photoshopping :) I have considered making rotary controls for the frequencies, q values, etc. I I should take another look at it.
I've already found a midi functions library which I'm going to test. It looks like it isn't that difficult to get (and perhaps send!) midi data although I don't know what troubles may lie ahead.
Do you prefer using this topic for the progress and further discussion on the midi feature? Or shall we use email?
I actually prefer email, so if you still have my email, go ahead :) And many thanks !
Last edit: Jose de la Mancha 2022-10-21
Email it is then 😀
Op vr 21 okt. 2022 om 12:21 schreef Jose de la Mancha josedelamancha@users.sourceforge.net:
Hello All,
since some week I search for a good EQ for windows which I can control by MIDI.
And: There is nothing :) (and I try a lot)
Some software like voicemeeter can map some knobs and sliders to midi, but not the EQ ...
so this thread is my last hope :)
Well, I'm currently creating such an interface :)
With the brand new MIDI panel in Peace you will be able to equalize your audio. You can map any fader, pad, switch knob and note key to any Peace feature such as the EQ sliders (gain, frequency and q value), bass/treble (gain and frequency), equalizer on/off switch, pre amplifying, general (Windows) volume include muting, crossfeeding and balance. And perhaps more to come in future versions.
After testing the MIDI functionality by Jose (see our other posts) you can have a go at testing/using it. I only need to add some small feature to make it even more clear (I'm always looking for interface improvements). I'm done this weekend. I'll keep you posted here.
Hi Thomas :)
We are all very lucky that Peter here agreed to start working on this a few weeks ago, and improve the already amazing Peace interface. From what I have already discussed with Peter, I think I can promise you that the MIDI implementation will be extremely customizable and will probably suit your every need. That's great news, right? ;)
You just need to be a little patient, let Peter finish his work, and allow for some testing before the first public version is released. Remember, "with great software comes great debugging", so... hang in there ! :)
Hey! This is really good news :)
Thank you very much for your effort.
If you like, I can "betatesting" too
This year my wintertime projekt is to build my own midi controller using a Adafruit Grand Central controller with 15 analog inputs an a lot of digital inputs ... and learn a little python with it
That's a great project. Good learning experience. I would call it the "Peace midi controller" ;) Just kidding of course. Any idea to give/sell it to the community?
I've given Jose a beta version. After getting feedback from him I'll give you a link to this beta version of Peace. Are you familiar with the Peace equalizer interface for Equalizer APO?
If you want to betatest, download the Peace betaversion 1.6.3 from my Dropbox. Put it in c:\program files\equalizerapo\config, the folder in which Peace is installed.
You'll find the Peace midi panel under the midi button (located at the right of the lower left configurations list). On this new panel there's a button called "Help" that gives info on how to use it. But it's pretty straightforward: Switch on midi with right upper midi button -> Start setting up midi setup by detecting controllers to attach them to Peace features.
Hey Peter,
thank you very very much. I have tested a little bit and it works great!
I will try more on weekend and let you know
Really good job! :)
That's just nice. Thanks for testing, Thomas. I've been testing it and sometimes but not often I had to reconnect my M-Audio Oxygen 49. Could be Windows or this midi keyboard or something else. But the Reset button didn't work unfortunately (hence the remark in the tooltip).
Looking forward to your other findings.