My little adventure comparing different EQs

I have never really spent much time trying to compare different EQs. I've always just grabbed Sonitus and used it. So I just had a quick play around with ProChan EQ, Sonitus, LP64 and Cakewalk Para-Q on a simple, clean electric guitar part. I think I can finally hear a difference!

On that material, Sonitus and Cakewalk Para-Q didn't sound too much different to me. Sonitus definitely was a bit better though and seemed to affect the frequencies a little more. Para-Q seemed maybe less precise, like it wasn't quite sure what it was trying to do?

LP64 sounded much brighter and clearer than the other two. They sounded kinda muddy and there seemed to be a loss in clarity compared to the LP64. I'm wondering if this is the linear phase I'm hearing? It kinda sounded like it could be. The frequencies just sounded more in line. Tighter. Sharper image. But there was something a bit almost robotic and digital about it. It sounded technically better, but maybe not musically better.

My favourite was the ProChannel EQ. It seemed to have all the tight qualities of the LP64 with a clear, distinct brightness to it, but sounded a bit smoother. Maybe less harsh? It didn't sound a huge bit different, but I think it was still better for that piece of material. I 'think' I kinda understand the whole 'ProChannel EQ sound musical' concept. I think I get that..


Anywho, that was my Lab Experiment (as Danny would say) for the evening. I was excited to hear this differences and thought I'd share and maybe encourage others to try and report back on their findings too, if you haven't done so already!

Hi Matt,

Thanks for sharing that. Yeah it's amazing how eq's can sound totally different and change things up. One thing to remember about the PC eq is it's starting point Q is more broad at 1.3 than say a Sonitus that starts mostly default at 4.9. The larger the Q, the more the frequencies are affected as you know.

I've been using the PC eq quite a bit myself these days on certain things. The good thing about most of my projects is they don't need much eq at all, so I can get away with using the PC. For things that may not be mine or even when I may be looking for a specific sound in something of mine, I have to use something with more bands. That's the only thing I wish the PC had...more custom ability or the ability to add more bands to it. There are just certain situations where I need more and something like the Sonitus or the Waves Q-10 may be the better choice. This is another reason I wish the PC module allowed for us to use the Sonitus right in it like we used to be able to do. I know we can just add one in the effects bin and create templates etc...but it's nice having certain things built right in for my particular use.

Then of course there are the UAD eq's that are pretty nifty for certain things. But it's cool you like the PC eq. It does sound good and gives us a few nice options. It's also sort of realistic with working on a console. You had your bands, you tweaked them, you were done instead of messing with 6-10 bands of frequencies like Sonitus or Waves.

Another cool thing about the PC eq to me is the starting point/default eq numbers. You can basically load anything up and tweak the frequencies they give you without changing them. Just alter the Q and the level and you get fast results. I kinda wish it had one more band though as a default or the ability to add more like I mentioned.

This is what I love about the Roger Nichols eq's that I use. You can literally custom build them from the ground up telling each module how many bands you want in and what types of controls you want. I use the Uniquelizer like crazy and think it's one of the best and most under-rated eq's ever made. It not only sounds great, but the options are limitless. :) Check out a video on it by the man himself...God rest his soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W51YqRXt1go

-Danny

Software EQs are mostly the same. Some ways where they can sound different are:

1. The Q stuff already mentioned, plus sometimes they may adjust the Q behind your back as the boost/cut level is changed. This is a big one.

2. Harmonic enhancement. Some are emulating hardware non-linear effects, and that can make them sound somewhat different, depending on how obvious the effect is.

3. Filter ring. This is what on synths is called filter resonance. The cutoff frequency for high/low shelf/cut filters have a hump. Sometimes boost/cut filters have a hump on either side. Some hardware EQs do this, and some software EQs emulate it. It can be a nice effect and can make the EQ sound different, though you could emulate it with extra filters if the EQ has enough of them.


Ultimately, one flexible software EQ could sound like basically every other software EQ. But most just implement some combination of these things, and you pick a given one because it's basically an EQ preset in a box. It just has the sort of combination of these characteristics that you want for a particular need.

An EQ like the old Kjaerhus one could emulate most other software EQs, with four different filter profiles (each one had different Q width and filter ring characteristics.)

I love the sound of the LP64 but, for me, it's too glitchy to use.

Yeah, LP64 is linear phase. Just thought it was funny how ProChan sounded to me much closer to LP64 than to a typical minimum phase eq like Sonitus, even though it's not linear phase. At least from that experiment, ProChan seems the best of all worlds AND is nicely integrated. Now it just needs a volume output control!!!

Ben and others who may have the Pultec EQ. And I am referring to the Nomad Factory Pultec EQ. The UAD may behave differently.

I agree with Ben in that this is a great sounding EQ and sounds good on tracks and busses as well as a mastering situation. At first Ben I found the EQ seemed a bit fatter etc when engaged. But after reading your post I did some tests. All controls are set for zero boost and cut ie totally flat EQ setting. When the Vintage switches (both) are engaged the (Nomad) Pultec increases the whole signal by 3dB when the EQ is switched in. Even though both the Input and Output controls are at 0dB down in the bottom panel. This is easily rectified by setting the Output control to -3dB. Then there is no change between being In or OUT after doing that. (bypassed in your DAW as well not in the EQ) What is interesting is that when you put SPAN over the output there is absolutely no increase in the bottom end anywhere! Whether In or OUT. 

When the Vintage switches are out the same applies except the level change is only 1.5 dB now so the output control needs to be reset to -1.5dB. No bottom end increase or change either on the spectrum analyser.

I think I was perhaps just hearing the 3 dB boost and because the bottom end is nice it seemed like getting a bottom end boost. I do agree it sounds FAT! It works wonders in a mastering situation. I have just used it so and it worked great. But I did also use it in conjunction with the LP64EQ which partners this Pultec EQ very well. Remember too the UAD may not have the level shift. 

Also discovered a strong third harmonic being added to any fundamental going in. eg If you send a 2 Khz tone into the Pultec you a pretty strong 6 K harmonic coming out as well as the fundamental. That is interesting. Also the top end only goes up to about 17 KHz and rolls of pretty fast after than if the EQ is switched in also.   

timidi


I love the sound of the LP64 but, for me, it's too glitchy to use.

You should consider getting something like the T-RackS3 Linear Phase EQ - I absolutely love it on complete mixes, busses, tracks.


The word that springs to mind is 'smooth'


And glitch free when adjusting in real time 

There is another advantage of using different 'console' style EQ's that is often overlooked as a desirable quality.

In other words the pre-chosen bands, curves (indeed the interplay between curves gives the Pultec a particular style) and other settings can often impose on your workflow in a positive way.  So the limitations of the design can make it easier to achieve desired results with a good working knowledge or 'expertise' with a particular plug-in of this type.

There are enough choices out there for anyone to choose something that suits a particular ear and way of working.

So yes any DSP Eq is a good choice but being limited to a particular choice can impose a great workflow and personal mixing style just like it would if you had to conform to what was fitted in your hardware console's channel strip.

This is an important factor that often gets lost in technical discussions on 'Q' curves, filter types and such like.

I tend to use an Eq like this, along with HPF/LPF filters to knock a mix into shape and anything like the Sonitus for more detailed surgery if required.

I doesn't matter much which specific brand of plug-in I use but most projects I do will have those aspects of Eq'ing covered in the same way.

Bristol_Jonesey

timidi


I love the sound of the LP64 but, for me, it's too glitchy to use.

You should consider getting something like the T-RackS3 Linear Phase EQ - I absolutely love it on complete mixes, busses, tracks.


The word that springs to mind is 'smooth'


And glitch free when adjusting in real time 

Thanks Bristol.

Yeah I'm really happy with the sound from the ProChan as a pretty clean neutral sounding eq. Need to do some more experiments in the cutting side of things and surgical eqing to see what my favourite is though.

But now I wish to really start studying more colorful eqs (and compressors) for a different sound. I mentioned in another thread the Antress Modern emulation of a Pultec. That's my first real experiment with an eq that adds color and I really liked it. Loved what it did to the low end on my kick drum. I tried to replicate that with the ProChan and it was literally 10 fold different. I imagine any complete non audiophile would easily hear a difference (a concept I always question when thinking about some of these supposed "amazing sounding" plugs). Still need to listen to the high end a bit more and learn it better. Looking forward to playing with that tonight :) Check it out if you have not already.