I clicked the menu. A scroll of promises unfurled: Music, Movies, Vocals, Bass Boost, Electronic, Jazz.
At first, I was skeptical. Presets usually felt like cheating—a cheap way to distort audio rather than improve it. But in 2021, with nowhere to go and nothing to lose, I started clicking.
My first stop was the "Music" preset. It was the baseline, the anchor. Suddenly, the wool blanket was lifted. The soundstage widened. The instruments separated. It wasn't just louder; it was clearer. It was the "HD" upgrade my ears had been begging for.
But I wanted more. I wanted to feel the music, not just hear it.
In FXSound, a Preset is a saved configuration of audio settings. Instead of manually adjusting sliders for Bass, Treble, and Ambience every time you switch from music to a movie, you select a preset that optimizes these frequencies for that specific content.
A preset controls:
By the end of 2021, the world began to open its doors again. But I carried FxSound with me. It had taught me that audio isn't just about volume; it's about texture, space, and emotion.
Those presets—the Bass Boost, the Vocals, the Music—were the soundtrack to my isolation. They turned a year of silence into a year of symphony. They proved that even when you're stuck in one place, the right sound can take you anywhere.
(specifically the 2021 release and beyond), the software moved to a completely free, open-source model with a refreshed interface. Most users in 2021 were transitioning from the older "FxSound Enhancer" (blue theme) to the modern, minimalist version. Core Built-in Presets
The 2021 version of FxSound includes several highly-tuned default presets designed for different media types: General/Universal
: A balanced setting that provides a subtle boost to volume and clarity for everyday Windows use.
: Emphasizes dynamic range and depth. It typically boosts the "Dynamic Boost" and "Clarity" sliders to make songs feel more "live".
: Focuses on dialogue clarity and cinematic sound effects. It uses the compressor to ensure quiet dialogue is audible without explosions becoming too loud. presets fxsound 2021
: Designed to help with spatial awareness and hearing quiet footsteps. It minimizes peaks while boosting low-level environmental sounds.
: Optimized for podcasts, audiobooks, and video calls by cutting extreme lows/highs and focusing on the human vocal frequency range. Popular Custom Tuning Tips
If the defaults don't hit the spot, many users in the community recommend these adjustments: The "Bass Head" Setup : Increase the Bass Boost slider to 4–6 and the Dynamic Boost to 3. In the EQ, slightly raise the 63Hz and 125Hz bands. The "Crystal Clear" Setup : Focus on the
slider (set to 5+) and boost the high-end EQ bands (8kHz and 16kHz) to make vocals and percussion "pop." Laptop Speaker Fix
: Since laptop speakers often lack low end, users frequently max out Dynamic Boost to compensate for hardware limitations. How to Add New Presets The modern allows you to import preset files (usually in format) shared by other users: : Open the (hamburger menu) ->
: If you create a custom sound you like, you can save it and select to share it with others or back it up. You can find a variety of community-made presets on the official FxSound Forum or via the FxSound Learning Center for specific guides on gaming and music setups. specific genre
of music preset (like Bass Boost or Jazz), or are you trying to fix a hardware issue like quiet laptop speakers?
Master Your Sound: The Best FxSound Presets for 2021 and Beyond
Ever feel like your PC speakers sound "thin" or your favorite gaming headset lacks that satisfying punch?
has been a go-to tool since its major 2021 update for anyone wanting to transform their computer's audio without spending a dime on new hardware
Whether you are looking for the perfect gaming setup or want to breathe life into an old music collection, here is how to master your FxSound presets. The Powerhouse Defaults When you first open
, you'll find a handful of factory presets designed to be "plug-and-play" for most environments: I clicked the menu
: The gold standard for daily use. It offers a balanced profile that works well for everything from YouTube videos to system notifications. : Prioritizes dynamic range to make songs feel more alive.
: Focuses on vocal clarity for dialogue while maintaining cinematic low-end effects. Classic Processing
: For long-time users, this recreates the signature sound of the older DFX Audio Enhancer software. Custom Settings: Finding Your "Perfect" Mix
If the defaults aren't quite hitting the mark, try these manual adjustments used by the community to create custom 2021-style presets: Vocal Clarity slider between 50% and 70%
. This reveals hidden details in vocals without making them sound harsh or "tinny." The "Punch" (Dynamic Boost) : Keep this between 30% and 50%
. It levels out quiet audio so you don't have to keep reaching for the volume knob during action scenes.
: Avoid cranking the Bass Boost too high. For most headphones, 20% to 40%
provides a satisfying thump without making the audio "muddy". Spatial Awareness Surround Sound 4, 5, or 6
for music. For gaming, spreading the audio can help you better pinpoint where footsteps are coming from. Expanding Your Library FxSound | Boost Your Sound Experience Now
The 2021 release of marked a significant shift as the software became free and open-source. This version introduced a streamlined interface that simplifies professional-grade audio processing into a single, system-wide dashboard. Core Built-in Presets
The software includes several standard presets designed for immediate use across different media types:
: A balanced setting intended for daily use across all media types. Best for: Call of Duty: Warzone, Valorant, CS:GO
: Provides a more dynamic sound profile to enhance the depth of audio tracks. : Focuses on cinematic sound effects and dialogue clarity.
: Increases volume and clarity of quiet moments, like footsteps, without distorting loud peaks. Voice/Transcription
: Optimizes audio specifically for calls or transcribing spoken word. Mastering the Sound Effects Sliders
You can customize your sound by manually adjusting these five primary sliders: Clarity (50–70%) : Sharpens vocals and adds crispness to treble tones. Ambience (20–40%)
: Adjusts the perceived size of the room, adding "air" to the audio. Surround Sound (30–50%) : Spreads the audio to create a wider soundstage. Dynamic Boost (30–50%)
: Normalizes volume by boosting quiet sections and adding overall "punch". Bass Boost (20–40%)
: Strengthens low frequencies; higher settings are often better for headphones but may muddy high-end speakers. Managing Your Presets
The interface allows you to save and load custom configurations for different hardware or environments: FxSound | Boost Your Sound Experience Now
Best for: Call of Duty: Warzone, Valorant, CS:GO In 2021, Warzone players struggled with audio occlusion (muffled sounds behind walls). This preset by TacticalToad broke the internet.
Based on archived forums (Reddit r/FXSound, Guru3D, and TechPowerUp), these are the five most downloaded and reviewed presets from that year.
reg import "C:\FXSPresets\MyPreset.reg"
Best for: Trap, Dubstep, Rap If you had a subwoofer or high-quality over-ear headphones, this preset shook your desk.