How to Install Audio Effects Tool PulseEffects in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: December 21, 2019

This quick tutorial shows how to install PulseEffects, audio effects software (e.g., limiter, compressor, equalizer.), in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

Ubuntu uses both ALSA and Pulseaudio for controlling sound input and output. ALSA is the kernel level sound mixer that manages your sound card directly. And Pulseaudio is a software mixer provides further tools on top of ALSA base.

PulseEffects is an open-source audio effects software for PulseAudio applications that support:

  • Applications output: Limiter, Auto gain, Expander, Compressor, Multiband compressor, Equalizer, Bass enhancer, Exciter, Crystalizer, Reverberation, Crossfeed, Filter (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-reject modes), Stereo tools, Loudness, Maximizer, Pitch, Gate, Multiband gate, De-esser, Convolver
  • Applications input: Gate, Multiband gate, WebRTC, Limiter, Compressor, Multiband compressor, Equalizer, Reverberation, Pitch, Filter (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-reject modes), De-esse

How to Install PulseEffects in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

Following steps will show you how to install PulseEffects via Ubuntu PPA, though it’s also available as flatpak (containerized softare package).

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mikhailnov/pulseeffects

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. For Linux Mint 19.x and other derivatives, refresh package cache may be required:

sudo apt update

3. Finally install the software via command:

sudo apt install pulseaudio pulseeffects --install-recommends

Once installation success. Restart Ubuntu, and finally launch it from application menu:

Uninstall:

To remove the software, simply open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove pulseeffects

And open Software & Updates and navigate to Other Softwar tab to remove PPAs.

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10 responses to How to Install Audio Effects Tool PulseEffects in Ubuntu 18.04

  1. Just what I needed, and then some. Thanks for the clear and simple instructions!

  2. WOW!!! It looks like you really know this staf!!!!! From your PPA it has been installed and working now. THANK YOU.

  3. Thanks worked perfectly!

  4. I really like the way to install Audio Effects Tool PulseEffects in Ubuntu. That is a great sharing!

  5. Removed PulseEffects as you recommended and lost all audio devices, thanks.
    Ubuntu 19.10, Thinkpad t480

  6. Thank you !

  7. Thank you much. Only manual how to make it which was succesful!

  8. This is the working guide. Do not install through Flatkpak, that one messes up your volume control.
    Additionally I had to go to Settings -> Sound and select PuleEffects(apps) as Output to have proper volume control.
    https://askubuntu.com/questions/1204482/how-to-control-pulseeffects-volume-with-keyboard

  9. Thanks !

  10. Finally!
    I first installed via flatpak, seemed to work but INPUT/OUTPUT bars in the effects were showing nothing and sound always unaffected.

    So, i removed the flatpak installation and did it this way, and hey!!
    Working now.