#116 Equalizer APO not working for me

[David Spector]

I'm using Windows 10 Home on an HP Pavilion x360 laptop. I installed 64-bit Eq APO and selected Speakers in the Configurator and restarted Windows. There is no effect when playing a video movie in Firefox (or when playing an MP4 video in SMPlayer) when I change the first line of C:\Program Files\EqualizerAPO\config\config.txt to values like -100 dB or 100 dB. The equalizer is not working.

I looked in Control Panel > Sound > Playback tab > Speakers > Properties > Advanced tab, and "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and "Give exclusive mode applications priority" are both checked. There are no other relevant tabs or options.

The installation instructions don't seem to help in this situation.

[Peter Verbeek]

And have tried following this troubleshooting section of the wiki? Sometimes it's a bit difficult to get Equalizer APO going on some audio devices/drivers.

[David Spector]

Yes, I tried following that section first, although it did not correspond with my device interface as I said, before reporting this as a problem. I guess I have to give up on Equalizer APO? It won't work with my device/driver (Realtek High Definition Audio, driver date 3/19/2019, Driver version 6.0.1.8656)? Thanks for the help.

[Peter Verbeek]

Don't give up yet! After installing Equalizer APO, it installs itself onto the default output (speakers) and input (microphone). But the audio driver might not be entirely following to the Windows specs.

These are usually the steps to get things going:

1. Check in the Configurator if Equalizer APO is installed on the target device. If not installed, install by checking device's checkbox.
2. Not working after a reset, try the troubleshooting options of the Configurator for the target device.
3. Still not working, let Equalizer APO create a log so it can be included in your next post (I'm not really expert on this but perhaps I can help).

I've attached 2 images of the Configurator where Equalizer APO is installed on the speakers and where the troubleshooting section is opened by clicking on the speakers (connection column) and the checking the troubleshooting checkbox.

[David Spector]

Attached is a screenshot of my configurator troubleshooting results. What do I do now? I don't understand what I'm seeing or how to enable logging (sorry, I'm busy and don't have much time to spend on this). I was hoping this equalizer would "just work".

[Peter Verbeek]

Usually Equalizer APO "just works" out of the box. I'm also not an expert on the troubleshooting options but you could try "Install as SFX/EFX" of the dropdown box. Some have indicated that this works. After selecting it (or any option) you need to restart your computer.

Logging is enabled by doing what's described here.

[David Spector]

That did it, thanks! Now, when I change the Preamp value and save the config.txt file, the volume changes instantly in SMPlayer. Very nice. I look forward to customizing some frequency bands for videos that weren't recorded with enough treble.

So, my suggestion to the developer is to add the "SFX/EFX" information to the FAQ, "what to do if you have a problem" and other documentation, so people don't have to waste time finding this solution.

Thanks, Peter, for your help.

[Peter Verbeek]

Great to hear. And if you need an interface that can switch presets easy (mouse click, hotkey, etc.) you might take a look at the Peace equalizer on this SourceForge website.

I guess one of the reasons the developer isn't promoting SFX/EFX as solution is it's experimental (although I don't know what that means). However it does often provide a good fix.