Where has my graphic equalizer gone in Windows Media Player 12? (i.e. Windows 7)

I have used Jabra BT320s Bluetooth headsets for some time to listen to music on my desktop PC, under Vista and Windows 7.

Although all the same model, they have dramatically different maximum volume settings (which I’m guessing are hardware related in some manner).  It can be handy to use the graphic equaliser in Windows Media Player to boost the volume, especially of radio programmes I’ve recorded on my DAB radio.

When I upgraded to Windows 7 it came with Windows Media Player 12, and the graphic equaliser appeared to have gone missing from the main window.  However, it is there, you just need to know where to look.

If you just ‘play’ an MP3 track you get a default album art/visualisation windows,

Album Art/Visualisation view

Well, no equaliser there. However, it used to be on the windows where you could see the playlist, you can access this by pressing the Alt key and then selecting Show Menu Bar (actually, Ctrl+1 also works but I only found that out when researching how to get the equaliser visible).

Playlist view

Now it used to be down near the time elapsed/remaining area, but it’s not there.  Hmmmm.

So I did some Googling, and discovered it is available on the ‘mini display’ and the best way to get this is to press Ctrl+2.

No equaliser

Look , there is the icon for the equaliser, just there in the bottom right corner ...

Equaliser button

... if you click on that icon you finally get the equaliser,

Equaliser now available

Once adjusted you can hit Ctrl+1 to go back to playlist mode, or Ctrl+3 to view the album art/visualisation and the equaliser setting will remain in place.

I have no idea why they made it this hard, I really don’t.
Print | posted on Friday, October 23, 2009 6:14 AM

Feedback

# re: Where has my graphic equalizer gone in Windows Media Player 12? (i.e. Windows 7)

left by Kazuya at 10/24/2009 1:49 PM Gravatar
It hasn't gone anywhere, open up WMP12 and press:
Ctrl 3 --> right click --> enhancements --> grafix equalizer

Hope that helps :)

# re: Where has my graphic equalizer gone in Windows Media Player 12? (i.e. Windows 7)

left by Liam Westley at 10/25/2009 4:06 AM Gravatar
Kazuya,

Top tip, didn't know about that. That same option used to be on the playlist view too, but disappeared with WMP12. Still can't work out why :-).

Thanks, again, will try to do some new screenshots with that included.

# re: Where has my graphic equalizer gone in Windows Media Player 12? (i.e. Windows 7)

left by alex at 3/3/2010 8:33 AM Gravatar
actually, to get all the items on the menu you have 2 go from the 'Now Playing' screen -> alt -> view -> enhancments -> then pick your screen.

# re: Where has my graphic equalizer gone in Windows Media Player 12? (i.e. Windows 7)

left by Anon at 4/15/2010 7:36 AM Gravatar
Yeah I noticed this too... added irritation to my plate in addition to the Windows 7 search feature... sometimes I wonder just wtf the developers are thinking.

# re: Where has my graphic equalizer gone in Windows Media Player 12? (i.e. Windows 7)

left by Andrew the duck at 9/23/2010 8:50 PM Gravatar
I seem to have a slightly different version. When I go to ctr 3 view, it doesn't have the equiliser button, and when I go to enhancements, and select equiliser, it isn't appearing.
They really wanna stop you using an equiliser, don't they?

# re: Where has my graphic equalizer gone in Windows Media Player 12? (i.e. Windows 7)

left by james hadleigh at 10/8/2011 10:58 PM Gravatar
I HATE HATE Microsoft programmers. Everything they update is a NIGHTMARE - what sort of creatures are they. Why can't they leave it alone!!!!!! Shame it wasn't Bill Gates instead of Steve Jobs!!!

# re: Where has my graphic equalizer gone in Windows Media Player 12? (i.e. Windows 7)

left by Bison at 2/2/2012 1:08 PM Gravatar
In the version of Windows 7 that I'm stuck with, it looks like the slime at Microsoft have removed the equaliser altogether. Why does every new Windows bundle feel like a step backwards?
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