Mac Music app equalizer not working … again! This time in Big Sur

In Big Sur 11.2.3, Apple Music 1.1.3.3, M1 Macbook Air I experience this problem as well.

Changing EQ settings while a song is playing will have them take effect but any kind of break in the stream: a pause, a next track, etc. will cause the EQ settings to not be applied to the audio. The UI for the settings will display that they are still in effect.

Making any kind of change to the EQ (disabling/enabling, changing a preset, moving a slider) will cause the to be audio to again become modified by the EQ settings. This means that to keep the EQ working you have to mess with it every single time you pause.

This feature (when working) is one of the few advantages that Apple Music has over Spotify. It's a shame to see this regression.

Hi All I have the solution! Use RETROACTIVE to install iTunes, the last version still works with Apple Music and it does not have the eq glitch. Until they fix it I’ll use iTunes again. https://www.simplehelp.net/2019/10/30/how-to-install-itunes-in-macos-catalina/

This issue has not been resolved in macOS Big Sur Version 11.3.1.

EQ settings in Apple Music reset once a song changes or a new album is selected.

For local songs in the Music library, there is a workaround (EQ presets: `Get Info` > `Options` > `Equalizer`). However, this seems to not work consistently. For streamed songs in Apple Music, EQ resets and has to be manually turned off/on when a song changes.

I hope this will be fixed in macOS Monterey, if not in another Big Sur update.

Hi Joseph,

The issue DenverDesigner referred to has been previously reported for macOS Catalina here and here and was fixed in MacOS 10.15.02:

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

However, the same issue has now reappeared in macOS Big Sur 11.1. Any EQ setting in Music resets once a song changes or a new album is selected, unless an EQ preset is applied to the entire library.

This workaround does not apply to streamed songs in Apple Music. The EQ will reset and has to be manually applied again whenever a song changes. It would be great if a fix could be included in the next Big Sur update.

To all... Apple seldom reads this feedback on this forum. THE best way to provide feedback to Apple on an issue like this one is to send your comments to their product feedback page: https://www.apple.com/feedback/

Hi there DenverDesigner,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. It sounds like your equalizer in Apple Music is not working properly. We’d like to know more about what is happening. Our information says “The equalizer’s settings apply to all songs until you change the settings, except for songs that have equalizer presets assigned to them.” Is it possible that when the equalizer stops working it is on a song that has a preset?

Learn more about using the equalizer on macOS Big Sur here: Adjust the sound quality in Music on Mac.

We hope this helps!

I have the exact same issue on my 2019 16" MacBook Pro. I upgraded to Big Sur 11.1 and couldn't figure out why when I play a song it sounded "muddy". Go to Equalizer and move any of the sliders and BAM equalizer is on. Pause the song playing then hit play again....EQ is off. Get equalizer back on and if the song replays or it moves to next song EQ is off again. Considering I have a large library and don't subscribe to any streaming music services and I listen to music the entire time I'm working its officially the most maddening thing I've ever experienced on a Mac. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Reported my issue also via Apple Support. Tried Pram reset, T2 Chip SMC reset. Nothing has fixed it so I surmise its OS related.

Jury is still out for me but the latest Big Sur update appears to have addressed the EQ issue. If not entirely fixed it is certainly much better at holding EQ settings and keeping it turned on when I expect.

Will update later...

Hi again DenverDesigner,

From here, reach out to Apple directly for help here: Get Support.

Have a great day!

Apparently, this was an issue with the availability of the Music app. Fixed the next day.

Same issue here - Had to keep turning it off and on to get it to work, however in the latest betas Apple have now totally broken it where it doesn't work at all now.

I submitted a detailed feed back to the link, hopefully everyone else does also

It would appear....at least for me....that the EQ issue has finally been fixed after the most recent update. Anyone else notice this?

I've got the same problem on Big Sur that has been a PIA for years on apple itunes/music and what ever. Whenever I pause the music stream the eq shuts off. This makes for a lousy music experience. EQ issues have been going on for YEARS with no resolution. Fix this now or I will be cancelling my subscription and will move to one of your many competitors. I also recommend that all subscribers do the same until Apple takes their music app seriously.