How to set track by track volume and EQ in iTunes

Few things are more annoying then getting a big blast of way-too-loud music when you are wearing headphones. The 20 seconds of feeling like a moron for jumping at nothing will quickly fade away. The 20 minutes of ringing you will be hearing is much less fun. If you want to avoid this fate, then follow these steps for your playlist.

1. In iTunes, click on “Edit” in the menu bar and choose “Select All” (command A) to highlight all of the songs in your playlist. Or, if you only want to equalize some songs then do so manually by clicking on them while holding the command key. Then, right click and choose “Get Info” (command I). If your Mac asks you if you are sure you want to change multiple files, select “Yes.”

2. Click on the tab labeled “Options,” as this will take you to the volume controls. For most songs, the default “Equalizer Preset” and “Volume Adjustment” should be none.
3. If you want to change the default volume on songs that are too soft or too loud, you can do that with the Volume Adjustment slider. iTunes will remember your choice for all selected songs.
4. There are numerous equalizer presets from which you can choose. There is no best setting for each song, you are going to have to try them out and see what works best for you.

[Editor's Note: Something to consider when you force an EQ and volume setting for your songs on your iPod or Phone in this manner is that it won't play nicely with settings speaker docks. For instance, if you jack up the bass in the song's EQ options and then dock the iPod with your car stereo system, your EQ there is going to jack up your already jacked up settings. It's therefore wise to leave at least one EQ flat, whether it be the song settings in your iDevice or on your speaker system.]