Here are two approaches to add Equalization (Eq) at a global level to any Mac.
Finally! A simple way to get EQ and AU plugins. SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba. It's not free, but it's easy. I tried it a paid same day.
More complicated free solutions:
You can add all sorts of other plugins, or play with the built in ones from Apple. Some you might want to play with:
- Stereo Spread: Free and included with GarageBand! It's in the Imaging section of Audio Units
- Crossfeed (free, but only 32-bit)
- CanOpener Studio: crossfeed and more - $60 - sometimes goes on sale for $45
- Re-head: crossfeed and more - $49 - sometimes goes on sale for $34
- Redline Monitor: crossfeed $69
- Cans2Cones - Headphone to Speaker Emulator: $15 (scroll down on the page to find it)
- 3D sound and crossfeed (Canz3D): old
- Parallel dynamic equalizer (TDR Nova - Free) - Manual
- SlickEQ: free
- Sonarworks (Calibrated equalization for certain headphones)
- Lots of free plugins from Voxengo
- Thump (set Wet/Dry mix to 0, then adjust)
- IVGI - saturation & distortion
- Saturation Knob - softube
- eqMac2: Free (looks interesting - Tried it with FireFox and Pandora and it seems to work well)
Note:
You may want to lower the two volume sliders in AU Labs a little to avoid clipping.
Alternatives
There are some commercial and other free alternative to "loopback" the sound from app into other apps and apply EQ.
Other Alternatives
Alternative for AU Labs to "host" the EQ plugin. Technically called a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
- Hosting AU: Free (Actually, pretty cool, but a bit nerdy)