The Sound Control alternative that keeps it simple.

Sound Control is a deep tool for per-app effects. TuningMac is one equalizer for everything, a volume for every app and controls for your headphones, in a single menu bar popover, for $5 once and no subscription.

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 vs Sound Control at a glance

FeatureTuningMacSound Control
Price$5 once, no subscriptionPaid, or a Mac App Store subscription
EqualizerOne EQ for all sound, saved per output10 or 31 bands, per app and per output
Parametric EQUp to 20 bandsNot listed
AutoEQ headphone correctionsImport or paste any AutoEQ curveThousands of built-in calibrations
Per-app volumeIncludedIncluded, with balance
Send each app to a different outputNoIncluded
Play on several outputs at onceIncluded, with Auto Sync betaNot listed
Music ducks during callsAuto duckingNot listed
AirPods, Sony & realme noise controlFrom the menu barNot listed
Live spectrum analyzerIncludedNot listed
Audio Unit plugins and MIDINoIncluded
macOS supportmacOS 14.2 Sonoma or latermacOS 14.6 or later

Sound Control details from staticz.com, October 2026. "Not listed" means its site doesn't mention it.

Why people look for a Sound Control alternative

  • Too many settings. Effects on every app and every device are powerful, but most people want one good sound everywhere. TuningMac gives you one EQ that follows your output device.
  • A subscription option. Sound Control is also sold as a Mac App Store subscription. TuningMac is one purchase with future versions included.
  • Headphone features. TuningMac also switches noise cancelling on AirPods, Sony and realme headphones and fades music down during calls.

What TuningMac adds

  • Multi-output: play to AirPods, speakers and your Mac at the same time.
  • Auto ducking: your music gets quieter while you talk on Zoom, Meet, Teams or FaceTime, then comes back.
  • Noise control: noise cancelling and transparency from the menu bar, no phone needed.
  • Parametric EQ: up to 20 bands with six filter types, set by number or by dragging on the graph.
  • Live spectrum: see your sound across 32 bands with your EQ curve on top.

When Sound Control is the better pick

Choose Sound Control if you want a separate EQ on each app, to send apps to different outputs, Audio Unit plugins, MIDI control or built-in AutoEQ calibrations to pick from a list.

If you want great sound everywhere without managing settings per app, try TuningMac free for 7 days.

Set it up in a minute

  1. 1

    Quit Sound Control

    Quit it so its effects stop, and you don't get two equalizers stacked.

  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 paste your AutoEQ curve into Advanced EQ.

Questions

What is the best alternative to Sound Control?+

If you want a simpler app with one equalizer for everything, TuningMac. It has a 20-band parametric EQ with AutoEQ import, per-app volume, multi-output, auto ducking for calls and noise control for AirPods and Sony headphones, for $5 once with no subscription. If you need a different EQ on each app or to route apps to different outputs, Sound Control is the stronger tool.

Does TuningMac have per-app EQ like Sound Control?+

No. TuningMac has per-app volume, but one equalizer for all sound, with separate settings saved for each output device. Sound Control gives every app its own effects.

Is TuningMac a subscription?+

No. TuningMac is $5 once, and every future version is included. There's a 7-day free trial with every feature.

Can TuningMac play to several outputs at once?+

Yes. Turn on extra outputs like AirPods, speakers or your display and they all play together, each with its own volume and delay. An Auto Sync beta uses your Mac's microphone to line up speakers.

How do I switch from Sound Control to TuningMac?+

Quit Sound Control so its effects stop, then open TuningMac, allow audio access once and pick a preset or paste your AutoEQ curve. Running both would stack two equalizers on your sound.

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Everything TuningMac does

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

See all features