How eqMac Audio Driver Works on macOS

"eqMac" is an audio equalizer application for macOS that allows users to adjust the sound output according to their preferences. To understand why it requires an audio driver and how it works, let's break it down:

Audio Processing: eqMac operates by intercepting audio output from your system before it reaches the physical output (speakers or headphones). This interception allows eqMac to modify the audio in real-time based on the user's equalizer settings.

System Audio Path: By default, macOS routes all system audio through a default audio driver that communicates with the audio hardware (speakers, headphones, etc.). However, this default audio path doesn't include any provisions for real-time audio manipulation, such as applying equalization settings.

Custom Audio Driver: To overcome this limitation, eqMac installs a custom audio driver on your macOS system. This driver acts as an intermediary between the system's audio output and the physical audio hardware.

Interception and Modification: When audio is played on your macOS system, eqMac's custom driver intercepts it before it reaches the default audio driver. This interception allows eqMac to modify the audio according to the user's chosen equalizer settings.

Real-Time Equalization: Once intercepted, eqMac applies the user-defined equalization adjustments to the audio stream in real-time. These adjustments might include boosting or reducing specific frequencies to achieve the desired sound profile.

Passing Modified Audio: After processing the audio, eqMac's custom driver passes the modified audio stream back to the default audio driver for playback through the physical output devices.

In summary, eqMac requires a custom audio driver to intercept and modify the system's audio output in real-time according to the user's equalizer settings. This allows users to tailor their sound experience on macOS beyond what the default audio settings offer.

Updated on: 22/03/2024