Some aircraft originally developed for MSFS 2020 don’t sound quite the same when used in the 2024 version of the simulator. While the issue isn’t universal, some have noted that certain sound packs, especially those using custom audio engines or complex mixing, can feel slightly off, with muffled EQ profiles or unbalanced frequency ranges.
Today, our friend TwoToneMurphy has put together a helpful video showcasing a quick and surprisingly effective solution: using a free tool called Equalizer APO to manually adjust the audio output of the simulator in real-time.
In the video, Murphy walks through the entire process using Airplane Heaven’s recently released Avro Lancaster as an example. The aircraft includes custom sounds by Echo19, but as Murphy points out, something about how MSFS 2024 handles equalization seems to slightly alter how they come across in the sim.
To address this, he installs Equalizer APO, a free, open-source audio equalizer for Windows, and demonstrates how users can create their own EQ profiles. The idea is to configure the equalizer to enhance or balance specific frequency ranges, improving the clarity or punch of the aircraft’s audio.
How it works
Once downloaded and installed, Equalizer APO allows users to create profiles using a graphic interface with 15 or 31 frequency bands. Users can enable or disable the effect with a single click and save different settings per aircraft if desired.
One key aspect of the workflow is how configuration files are handled. The application activates only one profile at a time, named config.txt. Murphy shows how to create custom profiles, such as one with reduced bass or boosted mids, and then save them with aircraft-specific names. When ready to apply, simply rename the file to config.txt, and the changes take effect immediately.
This method doesn’t modify any files within the simulator itself. Instead, it adjusts the PC’s output globally, which means it also works with other simulators, games, or applications where users may want more control over their audio experience.
Useful for more than just MSFS
While the video focuses on MSFS 2024, Murphy notes that this approach works with any aircraft, in any sim. It’s a flexible workaround for users who want to fine-tune their sound environment!
Murphy is also sharing some of his EQ presets via his community Discord, allowing users to download and experiment with his custom settings.
