CamillaDSP vs CoreEQ

CamillaDSP is a free, open-source family of tools for real-time audio processing, including active crossovers, room correction, and configurable DSP pipelines. Its engine runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with audio backends including ALSA, PulseAudio, JACK, WASAPI, and CoreAudio. Pipelines combine filters and mixers, with channel mixing, resampling, dynamic loudness, and chains of filter stages. Filtering includes IIR biquads and FIR filters processed through FFT/IFFT convolution; room correction can use FIR filters alongside EQ and delay adjustments. CamillaGUI is a browser interface for building and editing pipelines, monitoring levels, and applying changes live. It runs from a local backend and does not need an internet connection. For automation, pyCamillaDSP connects to a running engine over its WebSocket API, which must be enabled with the -p flag. The software is available under GPL version 3 or Mozilla Public License 2.0; an ASIO backend build is GPLv3 only. Major releases may require configuration updates, while minor releases preserve compatibility.

CoreEQ is a free system-wide equalizer for macOS, processing audio from music, video, calls, games and other applications. It uses Apple’s Core Audio process-tap API without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension, and audio passes straight through when the app is quit. The filter chain combines an eleven-band ISO octave graphic equalizer with up to sixteen parametric bells, shelves and pass filters. Users get 22 built-in presets, custom presets, automatic gain and A/B comparison, with import and export for AutoEQ and EqualizerAPO presets. Settings can be saved per output device, while menu-bar controls adjust bass, mid and treble. The maker describes it as a local app that does not record, store or transmit captured audio and opens no network sockets or listening ports. CoreEQ requires macOS 14.2 or later and permission to record system audio. Release builds are currently unsigned and unnotarized.