APO & Windows audio enhancements
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#317 APO & Windows audio enhancements
Hi, I'm using EqAPO to add correction eq for my headphones and I noticed that the windows audio enhancements must be turned on in order for the eq to apply. I was wondering is it possible to use eq apo when windows audio enhancements are turned OFF since I presume it adds extra processing to the sound which I don't want? My goal is just to apply the eq without windows adding anything extra to what I hear. Or when "audio enhancements" are turned on, is it only adding the apo eq curve without any other windows sound "enhancements"? Thanks.
It seems that that isn't possible. As "Audio enhancement" is another term for "Audio Processing Objects" (APO's) when turning audio enhancements off practically bypasses all APO's.
In the Windows Device manager all non-system APO's are listed. Usually these are from the audio device manufactures and can be disabled in the Device manager. On the other hand, APO's don't use that much CPU processing.
"Audio enhancements" refers to all APOs. If you uncheck that, it will disable all APOs, including Equalizer APO.
If you want to make sure only Equalizer APO is active, as opposed to any other APO bundled with the driver, you can uncheck the "use original APO" option in the Equalizer APO Configurator.
Ok, just to clarify, so by unchecking "use original APO" the windows extra processing is bypassed?
It isn't about the "Windows extra processing". If an audio device has some APO (sound effect/enhancement) then this will need some additional processing on the sound going to this audio device. But it is too little too worry about.
Ok, got it, the reason I asked is because I'm into music production and need the most "pure" sound through the headphones for mixing purposes etc., for casual listening this wouldn't be concern. Thanks again for answering.
When using ASIO (instead of WASAPI or some other) in your DAW then there can't be any APO active (no sound effects/enhancement, by audio device manufacturers and by Windows itself). ASIO doesn't have the APO capability. In other words, ASIO gets you the most pure sound, the lowest latency and the lowest CPU strain. Of course a DAW can be CPU intensive for a "big" song.
Yes I know that, I'm using Fl Studio and it has default audio driver which I use with eqAPO called "FL Studio ASIO", however despite then name, IIRC it's not really an ASIO driver but emulates one or it's kind of middleground between ASIO and direct sound, that's why the equalizer apo actually works with the DAW unlike with soundcard drivers for example. I also have soundcard and yes I know it would be best to use it's own drivers but then I can't use EqApo on the other hand so I kinda have to choose between not having headphone eq and better performance with ASIO drivers. By "pure sound" I didn't mean highest quality per se but rather not having any extra coloring which would result in poor decisions while mixing for which I use the headphone eq.
Now I get it. Thanks.
I didn't know that FL Studio has its own audio driver. A kind of perfect, having the minimal latency of ASIO combined with possible APO's (so your headphones EQ). I guess what Etienne said is the best option then. The unchecked "Use original APO" check boxes ensures that Equalizer APO continues to work but other APO's will be disabled. This should set up an audio device having your EQ but without the coloring by other APO audio manipulations and without their possible strain on the CPU.
Btw. In the past making music I had the same issue. I didn't have any good studio monitor speakers and ended up mixing by headphones. This was before I knew about Equalizer APO. In other words, your setup using an EQ by Equalizer APO makes sense to me.
Ok, I'll leave that setting unchecked👍 Glad that my explanation made sense, I have seen suprisingly good results by using the headphone eq for mixes translating better for other devices, thanks to eqAPO :)
Great. I wish I had Equalizer APO in my music making days. Anyway, good to know that you have a nice music creation environment.