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Mac OS music app equalizer not working

Since my upgrade to Catalina, the Equalizer in the Music app does not work as expected. Equalization settings are only activated:

  • after you have started playing a song, then
  • manually select a pre-set (or manual) equalization setting.

After the song is over, and a new one starts playing, the equalization is once again disabled. I've had this happen on many different tracks, using many different settings in the EQ window. I've submitted a ticket through Apple's Developer website, but so far no response. Anyone out there have the same issue/have a solution?

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Oct 9, 2019 2:44 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Oct 12, 2019 4:44 AM

I had a long session with Apple support yesterday and they claim it's a uknown problem.

I decided to set my absolute favorite songs and playlists with individual equalizer and it works.

Unfortunately my library is >10000 songs...

75 replies

Oct 16, 2019 8:36 AM in response to DenverDesigner

The exact same issue here. I've just updated to OS X 10.15 with no improvement - can't even tell what's been fixed in general as usual. Here's the link to my thread I started the day after I had upgraded: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250720390


Thank you very much on the lesson of custom EQ - I did not know this existed, and for now is a work around :)


REALLY hoping Apple fixes this!



I hate to say this, but with me at least every iPhone update is faultless... i've never had an issue. Every Mac 'upgrade' has fixed one thing and broken another... still, i'd have a mac any day over Windows.

Nov 9, 2019 2:25 AM in response to luiscr04

Thanks, luiscr04. While that fix works (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250721894?answerId=251575194022#251575194022), I'm guessing it means that until (if?) Apple makes the equalizer setting in Music work the way it did under iTunes, where all tracks you play use the same equalizer setting as you last chose, unless a given track has a custom equalizer setting, that each new track you add will need to have this fix applied.

Nov 24, 2019 12:28 AM in response to DenverDesigner

Hope it helps! My Frustration solved!


https://macreports.com/mac-music-app-equalizer-not-working-fix/


  1. Go to Albums (where you can see your all music)
  2. Command A to select all
  3. Right click>Get info>Options>equaliser>Select your preset* and ok.
  4. Unfortunately it will apply to all music. But its the only way for now :(


*To select custom preset you should have created one. Just go to Equaliser and You can see 'Make preset' on top of the list.


Have Fun!

Dec 12, 2019 9:35 AM in response to johnfromfrackville

Apple finally fixed the issues!


Music


  • Restores the column browser view for managing the music library
  • Resolves an issue that may prevent album artwork from appearing
  • Fixes an issue that may reset music equalizer settings during playback


iTunes Remote


  • Adds support for using an iPhone or iPad to remotely control the Music and TV apps on a Mac


Happy playing everyone!


Oct 12, 2019 12:50 PM in response to martin-2019

this is a very annoying bug in the new music app.

what i did for now is this: go to songs view on the left column under Library, then cmd+a to select all , right click, get info, go to options and there at the bottom row you have equaliser. Select your preset and it should be for the entire library.

Still, i've noticed that sometimes the preset kicks in after a few seconds, not ideal but better than nothing.

I'm assuming apple will fix this with the next update, i'm hoping :)

Oct 12, 2019 1:12 PM in response to DenverDesigner

Here’s the big problem with applying a specific equalization to all songs in a library: these will apply to songs played through *any* device, not just the Mac. So if you have EQ settings customized for the speakers connected to your Mac, and want to play songs via AirPlay to your home stereo or through your AppleTV, the Mac-connected, speaker-specific EQ will mess up the audio soundscape you might prefer on your other devices. So a library-wide application of EQ won’t work, unless you only ever listen to your music library on one device.

Mac OS music app equalizer not working

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