We stand with Ukraine to help keep people safe. Join us
Decibel free download for Mac

Decibel

Version 1.3.5

Audio player tailored to the needs of audiophiles.

3.7
Based on 15 user ratesRead reviews & comments

Decibel overview

Decibel is an audio player tailored to the particular needs of audiophiles.

Decibel supports all popular lossless and lossy audio formats including FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, Musepack, WavPack, Monkey's Audio, Speex, True Audio, Apple Lossless, AAC, MP3, MOD, DSF, DSDIFF, WAVE and AIFF.

For lossless formats such as FLAC and WAVE, and for Ogg Vorbis and specially tagged MP3 files, Decibel supports gapless playback with seamless transitions between tracks. Decibel also features replay gain adjustment for more comfortable listening.

Decibel has an intentionally minimal user interface designed to be instantly intuitive and non-intrusive. Decibel has an optional 31-band equalizer for unlimited sonic adjustment and provides precise digital and device volume control.

For users desiring more control over their audio, Decibel can take exclusive control of the output device using hog mode. Additionally, Decibel can automatically adjust the output device's sample rate to that of the playing track, preventing audio quality degradation associated with software sample rate conversion.

Finally, Decibel can load and play files entirely in memory, eliminating audio glitching associated with disk access.

For users with exaSound DACs, Decibel supports native DSD playback via ASIO. Decibel also contains DoP (DSD over PCM) support.

What’s new in version 1.3.5

Updated on Oct 22 2018

Version 1.3.5:
  • macOS 10.14 compability
  • DSD64 to PCM conversion

Information

License

Shareware

Size

23.1 MB

Downloads

17321

App requirements

  • Intel 64
  • OS X 10.8 or later
Try our new feature and write a detailed review about Decibel. All reviews will be posted soon.

Write your thoughts in our old-fashioned comment

MacUpdate Comment Policy. We strongly recommend leaving comments, however comments with abusive words, bullying, personal attacks of any type will be moderated.
0.0

(0 Reviews of )

There are no reviews yet
  • Comments

  • User Ratings

Sissy_Princess
Sissy_Princess
Jan 24 2018
1.3.3
2.5
Jan 24 2018
2.5
Version: 1.3.3
It's a good audio player, but the $33 price, rudimentary interface, and lack of updates since 2015 make it a hard purchase to justify. Lower it to $9.99 and you'll have my order.
Tekl
Tekl
Mar 26 2017
1.3.3
0.0
Mar 26 2017
0.0
Version: 1.3.3
I wonder, if this project is dead? Does it work well with Sierra?
Big Johnson
Big Johnson
Jul 13 2015
1.3.2
0.0
Jul 13 2015
0.0
Version: 1.3.2
This app is worthless as far as I'm concerned.

First of all, I don't want to load a few songs or a single playlist, I want ALL my iTunes tracks loaded and ready to play just as if I were in iTunes, and I want them to STAY there!
Loading all my tracks takes about 15 minutes. That's okay...ONCE. But when I quit and reopen, it's blank again and I must start over!

There's no Help file.

The search function in the forums was useless - I wanted to know how to add tracks from iTunes.
A search for "itunes add tracks" (without parenthesis) yields this message: "The following words in your search query were ignored because they are too common words: add tracks itunes."

It's missing a column for Date Added. My iTunes are sorted by date added and I expect the same in other players.

There's NO visible volume control! Either have to click the speaker icon to change the levels, or use odd keyboard shortcuts.

I tried to close Decibel and it hung with a track playing loudly and I couldn't mute or turn down the volume - had to force quit.

There's no equalizer! I suppose this is done for the purists, but guess what? Not all playback devices and speakers produce perfect sound! Adjustments may be needed. Even audiophiles may want to increase the bass, vocals etc. because not everyone's ears hear the same and listening preferences differ.


For these reasons I much prefer Amarra, although I've only used it a few times.




Jazzyguy
Jazzyguy
Jan 12 2015
1.3.2
5.0
Jan 12 2015
5.0
Version: 1.3.2
I'd like to get this update but the app store is behind as usual.
Jazzyguy
Jazzyguy
Jan 12 2015
1.3.2
5.0
Jan 12 2015
5.0
Version: 1.3.2
I'd like to get this update but the app store is behind as usual.
chawya22
chawya22
Feb 18 2014
1.2.11
3.5
Feb 18 2014
3.5
Version: 1.2.11
A good sounding audio player which allows native playback of many audio formats without conversion. The unfortunate side is the dubious continued development or support. I purchased Decibel in Dec 2013 and attempted to join the support forum, for some questions I had. I'm still waiting for forum posting approval almost 2 months later. I was initially concerned, at the time of purchase, that there had been no updates in a year. The positive reviews I read were encouraging, so I pulled the trigger. I'm hoping this wasn't a mistake.
hwgray
hwgray
Nov 22 2013
1.2.11
0.0
Nov 22 2013
0.0
Version: 1.2.11
Those three freebies are hardly "similar" to Decibel. Comparable music-players are Amarra Hifi, Fidelia, and Media Center, etc., at a more-or-less similar price-point.
Jadco
Jadco
Mar 29 2013
1.2.11
0.0
Mar 29 2013
0.0
Version: 1.2.11
For a good review of three Mac playback apps, including Decibel, that use itunes only as a database: http://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-103 Ideally you would send the output of Decibel to your DAC and amp by way of asynchronous USB.
GeogProf
GeogProf
Dec 29 2012
1.2.11
0.0
Dec 29 2012
0.0
Version: 1.2.11
For some reason, when I Command-click a FLAC file, Decibel is not listed as one of the apps it can be played with in the “Open With” menu. MP3s and AACs do list Decibel in the "Open With" menu, but not FLACs.
Jazzyguy
Jazzyguy
Dec 26 2012
1.2.11
5.0
Dec 26 2012
5.0
Version: 1.2.11
The BEST Music Player on OSX! The Developer is very responsive and caring about his users. The forum is also very helpful!
wickedsp1d3r
wickedsp1d3r
May 2 2012
1.2.8
0.0
May 2 2012
0.0
Version: 1.2.8
I have about 4000 songs in my current playlist. The application always freezes when quitting and I have to force quit it. Very frustrating!
Robotank
Robotank
Feb 15 2012
1.2.6
0.0
Feb 15 2012
0.0
Version: 1.2.6
I've been using Decibel for a couple months, and I'm very pleased with it. The sound is great, and I like the minimal interface. I do hope that some form of global control comes in a future version (i.e., global hotkeys, menubar item). Native FLAC support is also essential for me in an audio player. Regarding comments from a certain individual about player sound quality, I'd like to clear a couple of things up. Strictly speaking, iTunes can be bit-perfect (i.e., it will accurately process the digital information in a sound file) with some features disabled and its digital volume slider at 100%. Where quality degradation usually occurs is along the path between the player and the speakers; Decibel's features are designed to minimize such degradation by minimizing the amount of processing, alteration, and interference to the digital signal. For example, iTunes enables by default the Sound Enhancer feature and (I think) the equalizer. Other possible stops beyond the player include CoreAudio-handled sample rate conversion and audio stream mixing (for handling simultaneous audio from multiple applications). Decibel omits features such Sound Enhancer, can automatically adjust the output device's sample rate to match the track playing, and can "hog" the output device so no other apps can send it audio (bypassing the mixer). There's also integer mode with some caveats (see link below) Memory play can also improve quality and avoid skipping by avoiding interference that can occur when disk access is occurring. The point is that avoiding unnecessary alteration, interference, and processing helps maintain the integrity of the digital signal, and thus the quality of the sound. For a more thorough and technical explanation of how audiophile players work, see this paper by the developer of Audirvana (which uses similar principles to Decibel: http://www.amr-audio.co.uk/large_image/MAC%20OSX%20audio%20players%20&%20Integer%20Mode.pdf ).
muirtone
muirtone
Feb 14 2012
1.2.6
4.5
Feb 14 2012
4.5
Version: 1.2.6
I am currently listening to Decibel, and find it does enhances the music in the way others have said. I too would like to have equalization, the Fletcher-Munson curves would be nice. Has anyone compared it to Bitperfect, and Pure Music? Does it support Direct DSD streaming without PCM conversion on supported DACs? Is there device integer support, or is the way things are set up on the Mac not allowing this? I use a NuForce D/A convertor, Beyer DT770, Senn HD600, and Genelec 8030A Nearfield Monitor Speaker, and I hear a difference.
Echorob
Echorob
Dec 26 2011
1.2.5
0.0
Dec 26 2011
0.0
Version: 1.2.5
Audio players do not differ in sound quality unless something is seriously wrong, in which case it will certainly not be “sonically better”.
Penguirl
Penguirl
Dec 6 2011
1.2.5
0.0
Dec 6 2011
0.0
Version: 1.2.5
Seems odd to use Taylor Swift for the screenshot of an audiophile oriented app when she has no talent at all other than a good engineer.
El-Duderino
El-Duderino
Dec 6 2011
1.2.5
0.0
Dec 6 2011
0.0
Version: 1.2.5
Can't speak on Decibel yet but does anyone, who knows at least a bit about audio, think that these kinds of iTunes alternative programs are basically snake oil, i.e. they just EQ and compress & louden the signal which obviously makes it seem better to the layperson. I'd be interested to hear from anyone that thinks the same as me on this, thanks.
Echorob
Echorob
Sep 1 2011
1.2.4
0.0
Sep 1 2011
0.0
Version: 1.2.4
Using this player and my $800 Audiophile ethernet cables the sound is incredible.
Jazzyguy
Jazzyguy
Aug 19 2011
1.2.4
5.0
Aug 19 2011
5.0
Version: 1.2.4
This is the BEST performing Music Playing App that I encountered.I have tried them all,Cog,Play ,Songbird ,Taplay even Foobar(which is pretty good but has to be configured with X11) but this is special.I bought it sight unseen without trying it because of the Developer's reputation. It turned out to be a good decision.
emce
emce
Aug 9 2011
1.2.4
4.5
Aug 9 2011
4.5
Version: 1.2.4
Pricey and lacking some features I'd love to see (library management and internet radio are the big ones), however, it plays my preferred formats and gets me out of the iTunes bloat and store front. Overall the best iTunes alternative I've found thus far. Thanks!
Barrettisgold
Barrettisgold
Jul 7 2011
1.2.4
4.0
Jul 7 2011
4.0
Version: 1.2.4
I was looking for a simple good quality audio player to make playlists, without the bloated features that iTunes and Songbird offer. I also wanted FLAC support. Really pleased with it and SBooth seems on top of the development, ironing out bugs. Keep up the good work.
Sissy_Princess
Sissy_Princess
Jan 24 2018
2.5
Jan 24 2018
2.5
Version: null
MohnMohn
MohnMohn
Dec 15 2016
0.5
Dec 15 2016
0.5
Version: null
JuggleStupidity
JuggleStupidity
Jul 2 2015
0.5
Jul 2 2015
0.5
Version: null
Noory
Noory
Jan 14 2015
3.5
Jan 14 2015
3.5
Version: null
jazztrane
jazztrane
Jun 23 2014
5.0
Jun 23 2014
5.0
Version: null
chawya22
chawya22
Feb 18 2014
3.5
Feb 18 2014
3.5
Version: null
Jazzyguy
Jazzyguy
Dec 26 2012
5.0
Dec 26 2012
5.0
Version: null
muirtone
muirtone
Feb 14 2012
4.5
Feb 14 2012
4.5
Version: null
emce
emce
Aug 9 2011
4.5
Aug 9 2011
4.5
Version: null
Barrettisgold
Barrettisgold
Jul 7 2011
4.0
Jul 7 2011
4.0
Version: null
Sergiyakov
Sergiyakov
Jun 5 2011
4.0
Jun 5 2011
4.0
Version: null
Djhack1639
Djhack1639
May 21 2011
3.5
May 21 2011
3.5
Version: null
Docmark
Docmark
Apr 25 2011
4.5
Apr 25 2011
4.5
Version: null
Lyr
Lyr
Apr 18 2011
5.0
Apr 18 2011
5.0
Version: null
Ozron
Ozron
Apr 10 2011
5.0
Apr 10 2011
5.0
Version: null
How would you rate Decibel?
Similar apps
Strawberry
Music Player and Collection Manager.
Is this app is similar to Strawberry? Vote to improve the quality of this list.
Vote results
1
Upvotes
1
Total score
0
Downvotes
Swinsian
Music manager and player.
Is this app is similar to Swinsian? Vote to improve the quality of this list.
Vote results
1
Upvotes
0
Total score
-1
Downvotes
Plexamp
Simply beautiful music player.
Is this app is similar to Plexamp? Vote to improve the quality of this list.
Vote results
1
Upvotes
0
Total score
-1
Downvotes
Pine Player
Play almost all existing digital audio formats.
Is this app is similar to Pine Player? Vote to improve the quality of this list.
Vote results
2
Upvotes
0
Total score
-2
Downvotes
Pure Music
High resolution music server software.
Is this app is similar to Pure Music? Vote to improve the quality of this list.
Vote results
0
Upvotes
0
Total score
0
Downvotes