Will there be compatibility issues with Realtek (R) Drivers?

[Andrew]

Should there be any issues with compatibility regarding Realtek Audio drivers and Equalizer APO (or Peace)? Also, will having Realtek Audio Control or having RtkAudUService64.exe enabled on startup have any potential issues; will it interfere with how things sound? (I've attached screenshots of the two.)

[Peter Verbeek]

Usually there aren't any problems on Realtek. On some occasions it's possible that some troubleshooting option needs to be changed/used to get Equalizer APO going on any device including Realtek. I haven't had any bad experiences with Realtek on 4 laptops and 2 computers.

However, there are a few general "issues":

• Apps may use WASAPI Exclusive mode, especially for mic recording/streaming. On this exclusive mode no Audio Processing Objects are allowed/possible, including Equalizer APO.
• Equalizer APO is capable to process PCM audio streams. Streams like Dolby Atmos can't be processed. But those streams are usually (or perhaps all) WASAPI Exclusive mode so no APO's anyway.
• APO's of a manufacturer like Realtek may have compatiblity issues with Equalizer APO's APO. Usually the APO of the manufacturer is disabled by the unchecking of both "Use original APO" check boxes. Of course one loses sound effects/enhancements of the manufacturer but gains all what Equalizer APO/Peace is about.

I have Realtek Audio Universal Service running. I guess this service has as executable RtkAudUService64.exe. I don't encounter any issues.