The Background Music alternative with an equalizer built in.

Background Music gave Macs per-app volume for free. TuningMac keeps that and adds a system-wide equalizer, music that lowers itself during calls and noise control for your headphones, with no audio driver to install.

Download for Mac
  • One-time purchase
  • No drivers
  • macOS 14.2 Sonoma or later

TuningMac

Output

AirPods Pro82%
Listening Mode
Equalizer Saved for AirPods Pro
31621252505001k2k4k8k16k
Preamp−1.5 dB
MacBook Pro Speakers
Studio Display
70%

Apps

Spotify100%
Safari64%
ZoomMuted
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TuningMac Settings…
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TuningMac vs Background Music at a glance

FeatureTuningMacBackground Music
Price$5 onceFree and open source
System-wide equalizer10-band, plus 20-band parametricNo
AutoEQ headphone correctionsImport or paste any AutoEQ curveNo
Per-app volumeIncludedIncluded
When other audio playsLowers music during callsPauses your music player
Play on several outputs at onceIncluded, with Auto Sync betaNot listed
AirPods, Sony & realme noise controlFrom the menu barNot listed
Live spectrum analyzerIncludedNot listed
Audio driverNone, uses Apple's audio tapInstalls its own audio device
StatusRegular updates and email supportAlpha, per its README
macOS supportmacOS 14.2 Sonoma or latermacOS 10.13 or later

Background Music details from its GitHub repository, October 2026. "Not listed" means its README doesn't mention it.

Why people look for a Background Music alternative

  • No equalizer. Background Music controls volume only. TuningMac adds a 10-band EQ, a 20-band parametric EQ and AutoEQ headphone corrections.
  • A virtual audio device. Background Music routes sound through its own device. TuningMac uses Apple's system audio tap, so your headphones and speakers stay selected as they are.
  • Alpha software. Its README says it's still in alpha. TuningMac gets regular updates and email support.

What TuningMac adds

  • Equalizer: 10 bands with presets, or up to 20 parametric bands with six filter types.
  • Auto ducking: your music gets quieter during calls instead of stopping.
  • Multi-output: play to AirPods, speakers and your Mac at the same time.
  • Noise control: switch noise cancelling and transparency on AirPods, Sony and realme headphones from the menu bar.
  • Per-device EQ: headphones and speakers each keep their own sound and switch automatically.

When Background Music is the better pick

Background Music is free and open source, and it runs on macOS 10.13 and later. If you only need per-app volume, want your music to pause rather than lower, or are on a Mac older than macOS 14.2, it's a good choice.

If you also want better sound from your headphones and speakers, try TuningMac free for 7 days.

Set it up in a minute

  1. 1

    Quit Background Music

    Quit it and set your Mac's output back to your headphones or speakers in Sound settings.

  2. 2

    Download TuningMac

    Get it from tuningmac.com and drag it to Applications. It runs on macOS 14.2 Sonoma or later.

  3. 3

    Pick a preset

    Allow audio access once, then choose a preset or adjust app volumes from the menu bar.

Questions

What is the best alternative to Background Music?+

If you want an equalizer on top of per-app volume, TuningMac. It adds a 10-band and a 20-band parametric EQ, lowers your music while you're on a call, plays to several outputs at once and controls noise cancelling on AirPods and Sony headphones, without installing a driver. It costs $5 once and needs macOS 14.2 Sonoma or later.

Does Background Music have an equalizer?+

No. Background Music focuses on per-app volume and pausing your music when other audio plays. Its README lists equalizer apps separately, under related projects.

Is Background Music still in development?+

Its GitHub README describes it as still in alpha. The latest release listed there is version 0.5.0.

Does TuningMac pause my music like Background Music?+

TuningMac lowers it instead. Auto ducking turns your music down while you talk on Zoom, Meet, Teams, Discord, Slack or FaceTime, and brings it back up when the call ends.

How do I switch from Background Music to TuningMac?+

Quit Background Music, then open Sound settings and make sure your output is your headphones or speakers rather than the Background Music device. Open TuningMac, allow audio access once and pick a preset.

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Everything TuningMac does

Multi-output, noise control, live spectrum and more, in one menu bar app.

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