MBP16-BOOTCAMP-SPEAKERMOD 2.0

Warning !!!! Do not download from source, but from the release instead !!!!
This is an Equalizer APO configuration designed to fix the lack of tuning of the MacBook Pro 16 inch (2019) speaker when using Bootcamp.

Notice

This configuration is based on tuning for pure sound output without Dolby Atmos. Once you install this configuration, Dolby Atmos will likely stop functioning.

Although this configuration has improved the sound experience, it is still not accurate enough for reference purposes. In other words, you should not use the speaker with this configuration as a reference for audio production.

Preview

Record device: iPhone 13 Pro

Included files

bootcamp-speaker-mod
│   APOpreamp.exe
│   EqualizerAPO64-1.3.exe
│   Please download from release
│   README.md
│
├───config
│   │   bass_20230307_19_40-48k.wav
│   │   clarity_20230325_18_49.wav
│   │   config.txt
│   │   impulse_20230304_17_16.wav
│   │
│   └───DynamiQ-master
│           .gitignore
│           BassComp1.txt
│           BassComp2.txt
│           BassComp3.txt
│           BassComp4.txt
│           BassComp5.txt
│           BassComp6.txt
│           DynamiQ.txt
│           Extra Vocal Clarity.txt
│           Gain.txt
│           Gain.txt.tmp.txt
│           Include DynamiQ.png
│           LICENSE
│           reacomp-standalone.dll
│           README.md
│
└───VSTPlugins
        KSHMREssentialsKick.dll
        LOVEND_x64.dll
        Proximity-x64.dll

Installation

- Install Equalizer Apo

First, install Equalizer APO on your bootcamp. You can find the setup in the release package.

Next, choose and select the playback device "Speaker" only.

Then, tick "Troubleshooting options (only use in case of problems)", Select the option "Install as SFX/EFX". Other options will not work. This is very important.

Warning Do not tick "Allow silent buffer modification"

Click OK and do not restart.

In the release package, copy both the config and VSTPlugins folders to C:\Program Files\EqualizerAPO and replace the existing one.

Copy APOpreamp.exe to %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.

Restart Bootcamp. After the reboot, you should be able to hear the difference immediately. But we still have few steps to enable the Loudness Equalization.

Open Equalizer APO's Configurator, select the Speakers and hit "Copy Device command to clipboard", then paste to any where you can see the text.

Open Registry Editor, Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio\Render and find the one matches your device that was copied.

Enter FxPropeties of that folder, add the following keys (New String):

Reboot Bootcamp, open sound setting, open the Properties of the speakers, you will see the new Enhancements tab appeared.

Finally, open the Enhancements tab, turn on Loudness Equalization. You can also turn on Room Correction optionally. Other options are not recommended.

Volume issue

You may noticed, the volume is very low after applied the EQ. Don't worry! It's the normal behaviour! This EQ used DynamiQ, the Intelligent Frequency-Aware Volume Boost. Once your Windows volume is maxed out, keep pressing the volume up button on your keyboard to boost the gain. You should see a white Gain box pop up near the screen's top left corner and hear an increase in volume. With this amazing config, the speaker now will output as much bass and volume as possible (Under 100% = good bass; More than 100% = lower bass and bring higher volume!) For more, please read the DynamiQ document

Warning Currently, there is a issue of the Audio Driver from Apple. That is, the volume of each devices will sometimes messed up. That mean, if your speaker volume is 100%, then in the next boot it might become 100% on your headphone. Apple should fix this issue ASAP, but I have a workaround for this. No matter you have encoutered this issue before or not, I'm recommended you to install it anyway:

1. Plug in your headphone and adjust to the volume level you will always use. Unplug the headphone and adjust the volume level of the speaker as well.
2. Open the appleDriverVolumeIssueWorkaround folder in the config folder you downloaded from release.
3. Open saveAudioConfig.bat.
4. Copy the loadAudioConfig folder to your user folder (C:/Users/<username>/).
5. Check is there a file named "AudioCache.spr" saved to your user folder, if not, go back to step 1.
6. Open the loadAudioConfig folder that you copied to your user folder, right click on loadAudioConfig.bat and hit copy.
7. Press win + r, type in shell:startup then hit enter.
8. Right click on the appear folder and hit Paste shortcut.

After this, each time you entered desktop, cmd will open for 10 - 15 second to keep restoring your volume level. This ensure your volume is in a safe level and won't be changed.

Contributing Guidelines

Contributions are welcome for mbp-16-bootcamp-speaker-mod! And there are some guildlines about that.

Current limitations

mbp-16-bootcamp-speaker-mod has some difficulties. These are the problems we hope to solve:

• Bass is too deep and not easy to hear. macOS uses an interesting trick called psychoacoustics (same as the Waves MaxxBass and Waves Renaissance Bass plugins). And it's hard to find one for bass, especially if it has to be free.

• As mentioned, we didn't use any psychoacoustic plugins focusing on bass, and the deeper bass was harder to output from the speakers because those speakers were so tiny! I'm currently using (DynamiQ) (modified) to output as much bass as possible.

Config parameters/files

There are some parameters/files refer to:

Legal Disclaimer

This configuration, created by Naozumi, includes seven freeware/plugins, DynamiQ, KSHMREssentialsKick.dll, Proximity-x64.dll, LOVEND_x64.dll, WSTD_EQ-vst.dll, La Petite Excite.dll, EqualizerAPO64-1.3.exe and SoundVolumeView.exe, that are not owned or developed by the creator of this configuration. If the owners of these freeware/plugins have any objections to their inclusion in this configuration, please contact Naozumi ([email protected]) and I will promptly remove them from the configuration.

Disclaimer

The use of this configuration is at your own risk. The creator (Naozumi) will not be responsible for any damage or loss caused to your device or data, including but not limited to loss of profits or data, arising from the use of this configuration. You agree to use this configuration at your own discretion and are solely responsible for any consequences that may arise from its use. By using this configuration, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Credits

• bananakid
• Brad331 (DynamiQ)