FineTune
A free, open-source macOS menu bar app for per-app volume control, multi-device audio routing, and 10-band EQ.
What is FineTune?
FineTune is a macOS menu bar application that provides advanced audio control on a per-application basis. It solves the limitation of macOS's system-wide volume control by allowing users to independently adjust the volume of each app, route audio to multiple output devices, and apply EQ and headphone correction profiles. It integrates seamlessly into the menu bar for quick access and automation.
Mac users who need granular audio control for applications, such as content creators, audio engineers, gamers, and professionals who use multiple audio outputs or require precise sound shaping.
Developers choose FineTune because it's a free, open-source alternative to commercial apps like SoundSource, offering professional features like per-app volume control, multi-device routing, and AutoEQ headphone correction without cost. Its lightweight menu bar integration and automation via URL schemes provide convenience and flexibility.
Overview
FineTune, a macOS menu bar app for per-app volume control, multi-device output, audio routing, and 10-band EQ. Free and open-source alternative to SoundSource.
Use Cases
Best For
- Independently controlling volume for different applications like music players, browsers, and games
- Routing audio from specific apps to different speakers or headphones simultaneously
- Applying EQ presets and headphone correction profiles for improved audio quality
- Managing Bluetooth audio devices and external monitor speakers directly from the menu bar
- Automating audio settings via scripts or shortcuts using URL schemes
- Boosting quiet app volumes up to 4x without affecting system volume
Not Ideal For
- Users on Windows or Linux who need cross-platform audio control solutions
- Audio professionals requiring real-time DSP with sub-millisecond latency for studio recording
- Environments where macOS Screen & System Audio Recording permissions are restricted or unavailable
Pros & Cons
Pros
FineTune provides individual volume sliders, mute, and up to 4x boost presets for each application, solving macOS's system-wide limitation and allowing precise audio management.
It supports routing audio to multiple output devices simultaneously, with device priority and auto-restore features, enabling seamless audio switching and management across speakers or headphones.
The app includes a 10-band EQ with 20 presets and AutoEQ headphone correction for thousands of profiles, allowing detailed sound shaping and frequency response adjustments per device.
As a menu bar app, it's always accessible and lightweight, with URL schemes for automation from scripts or shortcuts like Raycast, enhancing convenience and workflow integration.
Cons
FineTune requires macOS 15.0 (Sequoia) or later, excluding users on older systems and making it inaccessible for cross-platform or legacy Mac environments.
It necessitates Screen & System Audio Recording permission, which can raise privacy concerns and may be blocked in secure or corporate settings, hindering installation.
Features like AutoEQ integration and URL scheme automation require consulting separate documentation, adding complexity for casual users who might find setup non-intuitive.
Open Source Alternative To
FineTune is an open-source alternative to the following products:
Frequently Asked Questions
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