Modartt user forum » Pianoteq user forum » Hardware for Headphones w/separately controlled equalizer for each ear
Does such a device exist?
I'm older and have significant hearing damage from military service. The result is that each of my ears has a different profile of hearing loss at different frequencies I'd like to be able to adjust what comes out of my VPC1 running Pianoteq Pro 7 to compensate for the differences in my hearing profile in EACH ear by adjusting an equalizer for each ear.
How can I do this?
There are digital and analog options. Any two-channel multi-band equalizer will allow you to modify a split headphone signal into two mono channels which can be merged into a single stereo signal downstream from the equalizer.
Something like the "Behringer Ultragraph Pro" (I think mine's the 30-band and separated dual-channel) that I use for room EQ in my studio will work. The only trick with headphones, is that you might need something like a direct injection box after you split the output from the computer and convert it to two balanced XLR or two balanced 1/4" (if the device you choose can't work with unbalanced connections), and another device to merge and convert it to an unbalanced stereo connection you could plug headphones into. If the device you buy allows for unbalanced 1/4" connections I'd just use something like the "Hosa CMP-159 Stereo Breakout Cable" to go from the computer soundcard to the equalizer. Then you'd just need another one and a female-to-female 1/8" adapter to plug in headphones. If you're using balanced 1/4" or balanced XLR, the connections get more complicated and can't be split passively anymore. You would be looking at $100-300 on the used market for all of those parts, but you could definitely build a straightforward rig that did that. Most EQs will give you +/- 12db or even 20db per band, and a parametric eq might also be an option--sometimes with even greater boost abilities--though over 20db could be very distorted especially through headphones at high volumes. Any EQ with a limiter or compressor (or upstream from one) will also potentially be safer and give you more control, too.
There are software options, especially if you have devices that support virtually connections like ASIO, but unless the hardware or CPU is very good, it can just result in significantly increased delay on the output, whereas the hardware will be much less likely to be noticeable in that way.
Good luck and keep us posted on what you try.
Thanks for the detailed reply!
I did some online research and think that the software route is probably the best way for me to go. I spend part of each year in Europe. I have a VPC1 there and in the US, and so only have to take my 2016 Macbook Pro (Intel 2.7ghz quad-core/16gb RAM and 2TB SSD) back and forth. I also have Logic Pro. Hopefully that setup will minimize delay.
Do you have software suggestion(s)?
Thanks again.
Do you have software suggestion(s)?
Thanks again.
Stereo equaliser to use in a DAW:
https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-slickeq-m/
https://www.kvraudio.com/video/introduc...rrall-5164
Reaper is CPU and space friendly, extremely stable, flexible, cheap, reliable:
https://youtu.be/hk8qN-69tNE
Thanks for the detailed reply!
I did some online research and think that the software route is probably the best way for me to go. I spend part of each year in Europe. I have a VPC1 there and in the US, and so only have to take my 2016 Macbook Pro (Intel 2.7ghz quad-core/16gb RAM and 2TB SSD) back and forth. I also have Logic Pro. Hopefully that setup will minimize delay.
Do you have software suggestion(s)?
Thanks again.
I use Reaper for this; together with some plugins. So usePtq as a plug-in; always use the BINAURAL output in Ptq, as this mixes signals for both ears, so that not the bad ear needs to do all the bass notes for instance (my left ear is weaker). Then in Reaper I make two mixer strips ( feeding the same Ptq output), one panned fully Left and one panned fully Right. Now in each of these strips you can do what is needed; levels, equaliser, compressor, limiter. Then I use a good old fashion stereo amp for having enough drive, and a headphone with sufficient acoustical output to drive your ears....I use different types, like AKG K712, K550, Audio Technica ATH M50, Beyerdynamic DT770 pro, Sennheiser HD598. In fact I do all my audio this way, with 4 mac minis around the house!!
Thanks for the detailed reply!
Do you have software suggestion(s)?
Thanks again.
I use free Equalizer APO (https://equalizerapo.com/). Although its equalizer corrects both channels by default, in config.txt file I wrote (below device selection): "Channel: L", and after the EQ filter line ("GraphicEQ:...") I wrote Channel: R, and duplicated EQ line.
Now I have separate EQ for both channels, and it works on all computer audio sources, like hardware corrector.
For example - my config.txt is:
Device: Focusrite USB Focusrite USB Audio {41e710fc-9f5a-4694-9fdc-87981248a24d}
Preamp: -10.7 dB
Channel: L
GraphicEQ: 25 -7.8; 40 -7.8; 63 -7.8; 100 -7.4; 160 -6.6; 250 -5.4; 400 -3.8; 630 -1.4; 1000 0.6; 1600 2.6; 2500 5.4; 4000 7.4; 6300 9; 10000 10.2; 16000 10.6
Channel: R
GraphicEQ: 25 -7.8; 40 -7.8; 63 -7.8; 100 -7.4; 160 -6.6; 250 -5.4; 400 -3.8; 630 -1.4; 1000 0.6; 1600 2.6; 2500 5.4; 4000 7.4; 6300 9; 10000 10.2; 16000 10.6Of course I can edit the eq curves for both channels in the graphical editor of the application (this is only txt config file for it).
Edit: Sorry, I didn't notice that you are using a MacBook Pro and this app is only for Windows. But maybe there are some good alternative system equalizer programs for mac OS? E.g. like this: DeskFX Audio Enhancer