I had a chance to download and install the AUTOEQ plugin which is now almost three years old.
It does work, but is somewhat cumbersome to use due to sluggishness and its separation from MC. It seems to be doing most of the control via an external interface (either database or MCC commands). Plus you have to move back and forth between it and MC to make some changes that require a direct interface. It can take several seconds at the beginning and end of songs for the setting to change and can be quite audible as a result.
But it does work and is a great functionality to have but not with the gross music genre EQ settings recommended. If you're using any of those, their are probably other issues with your playback, e.g. small speakers, etc.
While I played around with it, I realized that this doesn't need to be implemented as an external plugin at all. Virtually everything needed is *already in MC* and could operate far more efficiently and user-friendly if it was implemented as such. It may not have been three years ago, but now, as far as I understand it, it would be simply the addition of a mode in the tags (AUTOEQ is already there) that says to use an equalizer. Then all that you need to do is set the eq for that song and your done. It can be done in realtime or selectively very easily. That may be slightly simplistic, but as long as you are aware when AUTOEQ is set and eq is off if no AUTOEQ is defined it's pretty much all there!
I realize that EQ can be way overused and should be avoided except as a last resort. But sometimes there is just no other way to make older tracks (especially) like much of my very large 50s-70s oldies collection suitable to be blended in with a playlist. Or even within itself as a Genre. There's incredible quality variance during that time.
Anyway, here's MY VOTE to the super JRiver staff/programmers to implement this natively so it can be used easily and quickly. Please +1 as appropriate. I could sure make use of it, as even small trims here and there can make a big difference in a playback experience.
[ Not directly related, but just a comment on the use of EQ from a former (retired) recording engineer. It's best to start by reducing frequency areas that may be obtrusive. Most people start cranking up frequencies to get the boom and glitter back, but that really isn't usually the right cure. In all cases be selective and as minimal as possible (especially when increasing a frequency range), but start by reducing obvious areas first to obtain a uniform balance. Usually you won't need to adjust more than just a few db one way or the other if you're in the right ranges. Of course, selecting the right ranges takes an ear and some practice which comes over time. ]
--Bill
