How to customize the sound quality in the Music app on Mac

This tutorial shows you how to customize the sound quality in the Music app or iTunes so that your favorite songs sound spectacular when you play them on your Mac.

Apple Music app icon on a red and purple gradient background

A terrific feature of the Music app on your Mac is that it allows you to tweak the audio sound. You can adjust the sound for certain genres, specific songs, places in your home, or if you use special speakers.

If you’re ready to take a few minutes to make your music sound exactly how you want it, then this tutorial is for you. Here’s how to customize the sound quality in the Music app (earlier iTunes) on Mac.

Manually adjust the sound quality with the Equalizer

  1. Open the Music app on your Mac.
  2. Click Window > Equalizer from the top menu bar.
  3. When the Equalizer opens, you might need to mark the checkbox on the top left for On.
  4. Then, move the sliders to make your adjustments.
iTunes Equalizer on Mac

Pick a preset for automatic sound types

The Equalizer also offers presets that you can use in the drop-down box. This is a great way to adjust the sounds per genre, like jazz, pop, rock., or more. You can even select options for small speakers, spoken words, or vocal booster. Once you select a preset, you’ll see the sliders move automatically.

iTunes Equalizer Preset List on Mac

If there are preset options that you dislike, you can delete them. You can also rename them if you prefer. Click the drop-down box, and at the top, choose Edit List. In the pop-up window, choose the preset and then click Delete to remove it or Rename to name it what you want. Click Done when you finish.

Delete or Rename iTunes Preset on Mac

Create your own presets

If you choose to manually adjust the sounds, you can save your settings as your own preset. When you complete all of your adjustments, click in the drop-down box and pick Make Preset. Give your preset a name and click OK.

Create iTunes Preset on Mac

Assign presets to songs

Whether you create your own preset or like one of the built-in options, you can assign that preset to a specific song. Whenever that song plays, the sound will then be adjusted just the way you want it.

Follow these steps to assign a preset to a song in Mac’s Music app:

  1. With the song selected, either click Song > Info from the menu bar or click the More (three-dot icon) button next to the tune and pick Get Info in the context menu.
  2. Click the Options tab.
  3. Under Equalizer at the bottom of the Options window, select the preset from the drop-down box.
  4. Click OK.
iTunes Assign Preset to Song on Mac

Enable the Sound Enhancer

One other setting you might check out for the sound quality in the Music app is the Sound Enhancer. According to Apple:

The Sound Enhancer increases the perceived “wideness” of the stereo effect by modifying bass and treble response.

Do the following to turn on and adjust the Sound Enhancer in Mac’s Music app:

  1. Open the Music app and click Music > Settings or Preferences from the menu bar.
  2. Choose the Playback tab.
  3. Mark the checkbox for Sound Enhancer and move the slider to adjust it to your preference.
  4. Click OK.
Sound Enhancer in Mac Music app

Customizing the sound quality gives you a wonderful way to enjoy your music even more. Whether you want to hear that bass boosted or treble turned down, you have some flexibility.

On the same tune: