The Equalizer APO + Peace alternative with per-channel EQ
Equalizer APO is a powerful EQ engine, and Peace is the GUI bolted on top. But it's a system-wide, device-level filter configured through text files — there's no per-channel mixing, and it hooks into your audio device. Aura Mixer gives every channel its own 12-band parametric EQ in one native window.
| Feature | Aura Mixer | Equalizer APO + Peace |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time from scratch | ~5 min | 30–45 min |
| Per-app volume mixing | Native | No — device-level only |
| Parametric EQ depth | 12-band, per channel | Unlimited + convolution |
| Interface | Native app UI | Peace GUI over text config |
| Per-app capture | Yes | No |
| Spatial / HRTF audio | Built-in | Only via HeSuVi add-on |
| Audio latency | <5 ms (WASAPI) | Low, but no mixing |
| Survives Windows / driver changes | Yes — no device hook | Can break (APO hooks device) |
| Open-source | No | Yes |
| Price | Free tier + one-time license | Free |
Why people switch to Aura Mixer
- Per-app EQ and volume — boost footsteps in your game without touching your music or Discord. APO applies to the whole output device.
- A real native interface instead of editing config.txt in System32 (or driving it through Peace).
- No Audio Processing Object hooked into your device — fewer ways for a Windows or driver update to silence your audio.
- EQ is one tab of a full mixer: faders, gate, compressor, spatial, scenes and preset import all in the same app.
- Bring your existing setup — import your Equalizer APO config (.txt) straight into a per-channel EQ instead of rebuilding the curve by hand.
See it in action
You can run both while you switch: Aura Mixer doesn't install an APO, so it won't conflict with an existing Equalizer APO setup. Import your existing config straight in (Workshop ▸ Import) — it reads Equalizer APO .txt files into a per-channel EQ — confirm it sounds right, then uninstall APO if you want a cleaner device chain.
Equalizer APO + Peace vs Aura Mixer — frequently asked
Does Aura Mixer's EQ match Equalizer APO?
For everyday use, yes — a 12-band parametric EQ per channel covers bells, shelves, high/low-pass and notches. APO still wins on raw depth (effectively unlimited bands and convolution), so for scientific headphone correction on one device APO is more capable. Aura's advantage is doing it per-channel, with a UI, and without a device-level driver hook.
Can I keep my AutoEQ / headphone correction profile?
Yes — import it directly. Aura Mixer reads Equalizer APO config files (.txt) and turns them into a per-channel EQ preset (Workshop ▸ Import), up to 12 parametric bands. Convolution / impulse-response profiles are the exception — keep those in APO — but standard AutoEQ-style parametric curves come across in seconds.
Will it conflict with an existing Equalizer APO install?
No. Aura Mixer doesn't install an Audio Processing Object, so it sits alongside APO. Run both while you migrate, then remove APO if you want a cleaner device chain.
Is there a free version?
Yes. The free tier includes per-channel volume, a 12-band EQ, gate and compressor. The one-time license adds the FX rack, advanced spatial, VCA groups and LUFS metering.
Try it instead — free, no account
Grab the free tier, or unlock the full studio with a one-time license — no subscription.