How to Install and Use PulseAudio-Equalizer on Linux Mint 20

The PulseAudio is an open-source volume control and audio effects tool. It allows us to control and tune the audio settings. The PulseAudio Equalizer has a multi-band interface. Therefore, you can easily adjust the slider when the audio is playing.

As PulseAudio is a popular open-source tool, it is included in Linux Mint 20 standard repositories installed from there. Moreover, it can also be installed on Linux Mint 20 from the external PPA repository.

This post explains the installation of PulseAudio-Equalizer on Linux Mint.

Installing PulseAudio on Linux Mint 20 from the standard repositories

Open the terminal window, and first, update the apt listing with the command:

$ sudo apt update

Type the below-given command to install PulseAudio on Linux Mint 20 from the standard repositories:

$ sudo apt install pulseaudio-equalizer

Press ‘y’ to continue installing PulseAudio.

Once the PulseAudio is installed, verify the installation with the command:

$ pulseaudio --version

The Pulseaudio 13.99.1 is successfully installed on my Linux Mint 20.

The PulseAudio offers many extra modules included in Linux Mint 20 standard repositories and can be installed easily with apt command.

Installing PulseAudio-Equalizer on Linux Mint 20 from the PPA repository

The PPA repositories are created and maintained by the developers. Fire up the terminal and perform the following steps to install PulseAudio from the PPA repository:

Step 1: Add PulseAudio PPA repository

First, add the PulseAudio PPA repository using the command:

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8

The PulseAudio PPA repository will be added successfully.

Step 2: Update apt-cache

Once the PPA repository is added successfully, update the apt cache with the command:

$ sudo apt update

Step 3: Install PulseAudio

Next, install the PulseAudio with the command:

$ sudo apt install pulseaudio-equalizer

Press ‘y’ to continue installing PulseAudio.

Getting started and configuring the PulseAudio-Equalizer

Once you have installed PulseAudio using any recommended method, open the PulseAudio tool with the command:

$ qpaeq

While opening the PulseAudio tool, you may encounter the error stating that some modules are missing. In this case, open the PulseAudio’s configuration file with the command:

$ sudo nano /etc/pulse/default.pa

Add the below-given lines at the bottom of the/etc/pulse/default.pa file.

load-module module-equalizer-sink

load-module module-dbus-protocol

Save the file and exit the nano editor by pressing ctrl+x.

Next, kill the PulseAudio service and restart it:

$ pulseaudio --kill && pulseaudio --start

Now, open the PulseAudio with the command:

$ qpaeq

The PulseAudio-Equalizer is ready for use.

How to remove PulseAudio-Equalizer

At any point, if you wish to remove PulseAudio from Linux Mint 20, then type the below-given command to do so:

$ sudo apt remove --autoremove pulseaudio-equalizer

Press ‘y’ to continue removing PulseAudio Equalizer.

The PulseAudio Equalizer will be removed successfully.

Conclusion

PulseAudio Equalizer is a free and open-source tool for volume control. It is part of Linux Mint 20 standard repositories and can be installed with apt command. Moreover, it is also available from an external PPA repository. This article shows the PulseAudio Equalizer installation on Linux Mint 20 system from the standard and PPA repositories.