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CoreEQ
What it is
CoreEQ is a free, system-wide equalizer for macOS that processes sound from music, video, calls, games and other applications. It uses Apple’s Core Audio process-tap API without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension, and audio passes through when the app is quit. The filter chain combines an eleven-band ISO octave graphic equalizer with as many as sixteen parametric bells, shelves and pass filters. Twenty-two built-in presets, custom presets, automatic gain and A/B comparison are included. CoreEQ imports and exports AutoEQ and EqualizerAPO presets, saves settings per output device and provides menu-bar bass, mid and treble controls. The maker says captured audio is not recorded, stored or transmitted; its security policy describes a local app with no network sockets or listening ports. It requires macOS 14.2 or later plus system-audio recording permission. Installation is available through Homebrew, a release ZIP or source build with Xcode 16 or later.
For and against
For
- System-wide processing for many audio applications
- Eleven-band graphic and parametric filters
- Twenty-two built-in presets
- Imports and exports AutoEQ presets
- Per-device settings
Against
- Requires macOS 14.2 or later
- Needs permission to record system audio
- Release builds are unsigned and unnotarized
- No per-app controls
The verdict
CoreEQ offers broad system audio control with extensive filter and preset options at no cost. First-launch security warnings may require attention because release builds are unsigned and unnotarized.
Who it suits
It suits macOS users who want system-wide equalization across multiple applications and output devices. It does not provide per-app controls.
On the record
- Audio processing
- It uses Apple’s Core Audio process-tap API without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Distribution limitation
- The maker says release builds are currently unsigned and unnotarized, so macOS may block first launch.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Download and installation
- The project offers installation through Homebrew, a prebuilt release ZIP, or a source build requiring Xcode 16 or later; release builds are currently unsigned and unnotarized.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Equalizer controls
- Its filter chain combines an eleven-band ISO octave graphic equalizer with up to sixteen parametric bells, shelves, and pass filters.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- CoreEQ can import and export AutoEQ and EqualizerAPO presets.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies CoreEQ as licensed under Apache License 2.0.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Network and storage
- The security policy describes CoreEQ as a local, single-user menu bar app with no network sockets, listening ports, or built-in update mechanism; presets and per-device settings are stored in the user's UserDefaults.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- No driver
- CoreEQ says it uses no virtual audio driver or kernel extension, and passes audio straight back when it is quit.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Per-device settings
- Settings can be saved per output device, and menu bar controls provide bass, mid, and treble adjustments over any preset.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Preset compatibility
- CoreEQ can import and export AutoEQ and EqualizerAPO presets.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Presets
- It includes 22 built-in presets and supports custom presets, automatic gain, and A/B comparison.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Presets and comparisons
- It includes 22 presets, supports custom presets, automatic gain matching, and A/B comparison of two versions of a preset.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The project says it records, stores, or transmits no audio, and its security policy says captured audio must never be written to disk or leave the machine.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CoreEQ is a system-wide equalizer for macOS that processes audio from music, video, calls, games, and other applications.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Recording behavior
- CoreEQ says it steps aside during screen recording that captures system audio to prevent doubled audio.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- CoreEQ requires macOS 14.2 or later and permission to record system audio.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The security policy asks users to report vulnerabilities privately through GitHub and says reporters will receive an acknowledgement within a few days.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Security support
- The security policy supports the current 1.x major line only, requests private vulnerability reports through GitHub, and says reporters will receive an acknowledgement within a few days.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
