I don’t have a music collection to listen to using iTunes. I listen to music through online streaming services like Pandora and Slacker. The downside to this is that Google Chrome doesn’t have a built-in audio equalizer like iTunes. I have a decent pair of headphones, Audio-Technica ATH-M50, and the default line-out from an Apple desktop machine has always sounded a little “empty” to me. Like they slightly tweak it for normal/smaller headphones. Today I finally figured out how to get a global system equalizer for OS X (for free) so I can push the bass up a little to compensate for the “emptiness”.



These steps are done on a Snow Leopard iMac (10.6.7 specifically) but I’m pretty sure they would work on a Tiger/Leopard (10.4/10.5) machine as well.

First thing is to install Soundflower which requires a restart. It’s similar to Audio Hijack Pro in the fact that it adds virtual sound devices but without any other capabilities like recording/sfx/etc (and it’s freeware).

Next you will need AU Lab from Apple. It’s a bundled application with Xcode so either download it from Apple or install it from your OS X Install DVD if you don’t want to deal with the multi-GB download. According to NicolasBalan in the comments below, you can now download AU Lab standalone from the rest of XCode (you will need an Apple Developer Login though), go to the Downloads for Developers page and search for “AU Lab” to get it.

And that’s it for software requirements!

Step 1) Change Audio Output Device

Change the output device in System Preferences->Sound, choose the Output tab. You should see Soundflower (2ch) in the list of devices. Select that one.



Step 2) Open AU Lab

Easiest to search for it in Spotlight or it’s default location is at /Developer/Applications/Audio/AU Lab.app



Step 3) Setup Input and Output devices in AU Lab

You’ll be prompted with “Document Configuration”, use the Factory Configuration “Stereo In/Stereo Out”. Change the Audio Input Device to “Soundflower (2ch)” and the Audio Output Device to “Built-in Output”. Finally, click Create Document.



Step 4) Add EQ Effect

Under “Ouput 1″ apply the effect Apple->AUGraphicEQ



Step 5) Edit the EQ

Tweak like mad with 31 bands or change it to 10 bands to get an EQ that looks more like the iTunes one.





Step 6) Save your preset

The 3rd drop down from the left of the EQ window lets you save/change presets.