CamillaDSP vs PC Equalizer

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.

PC Equalizer Pro is Windows software for customizing computer audio output and accessing Equalizer APO features. It offers a 10- or 20-band equalizer across all channels, with controls for Stereo, Mono, Swap, Invert, and Balance. Pan/Expand can widen or narrow the stereo image, while Multi-Delays creates echoes, delay, and reverb with up to 16 taps. Users can select built-in presets or save and delete their own, then assign presets to applications such as Winamp, Windows Media Player, and PotPlayer. The program can detect active audio players and load their assigned presets. It can also launch at startup, minimize to the System Tray, and notify users when an assigned preset changes. Equalizer APO setup is included in the PC Equalizer 2.1 installer; manual installation is suggested if PC Equalizer does not run properly. A free demo requires no license key, and the site lists a lifetime license for 3 PCs at 201700.00 USD once. Pricing is also shown as from $20, and a free trial is offered.