Is your EQ workin' as you expect (some checked)

Well, digged out some free-/share-/donationware, demo and trial versions of different type EQ's from my harddrive for to make some measures/comparisons (like frequency response, magnitude, harmonic distortion, phase, etc.). Maybe this is not a good testing method but IMO, some of those results are surprising. If you like to check closer these EQs, you'll notice better those differences ..., I did use C.Budde's VST PlugInAnalyzer in this test.

VST Plugin Analyzer - http://www.savioursofsoul.de/Christian/Programs/VSTPluginAnalyser.zip
NOTE: Analyzer works @ 44.1kHz only (ATM) so, ... UPDATE: ... the new version supports free samplerate selection.

Here are some results ... (these pictures shows if the EQ is "WhatYouSeeIisWhatYoutGet" ~ "do you get what you're expecting" --> it's tested here by jus adjusting the gain for ~1Hz band to ~12dB-15dB or by drawing an EQ curve (if possible) .. Q/Bandwith setting is not taken in count ... just the frequency and gain).

What I have noticed already in some of these EQs mentioned in my posts
- some EQs are working differently with negative gain values
- Bandwith/Q may have effect in magnitude level (may have programmed to do so)
- certain settings may get the magnitude curve alternate (and maybe even start producing "strange" curve forms)
- filters like HPF/LPF seems not to work as steep as maybe intend (I noticed this also while programming a rumble filter as a part of my RIAA filter) ! I was thinking if the Analyzer is culprit for this but as it just plots the output data coming from VST so, could it be then?

so remember check these too, when you're 'testing' your EQs!

EDIT: Linked some pictures which are showing resuls of harmonic distortion (but, only for those EQ plugins which had some 'issues' in distortion results showing up in "hearable" area).
NOTE: I got some warnings that magnitude and harmonic distortion measures may not be valid in all cases (meaning mainly Linear Phase EQs) ... when you get strange results, try correct this by changing the latency compensation in analyzer (press [CTRL]+[ALT]+[L] .. and try as for an example with new value as 8192).


AnwidaSoft GEQ31V 1.5: http://www.anwida.com/product.asp?pid=11

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/8158/anvidasoftgeq31yx6.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4056/hdanvidasoftgeq31zt0.jpg

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AnwidaSoft GEQ15V 1.5: http://www.anwida.com/product.asp?pid=10

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2955/anwidageq15voh3.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5189/hdanwidageq15vha1.jpg

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AnwidaSoft PEQ1V 1.0: http://www.anwida.com/product.asp?pid=23

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2853/anwidapeq1vtm2.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/1391/hdanwidapeq1vvx3.jpg

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Bluecat Stereo Liny EQ 3.0: http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_StereoLinyEQ/

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/5683/newbluecatlinyzv4.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9872/hdbluecatlinyeqhl4.jpg

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BlueCat Stereo Parameter 'EQ: http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_StereoParametrEQ/

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8182/bluecatstereoparameteresj9.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5976/hdbluecatstereoparameteyo3.jpg

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Crysoic CRY 'Q 1.0: http://www.crysonic.com/cryq.html

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3381/crysoniccrylu6.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5544/hdcrysoniccryqv2.jpg

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ddmf IIEQ 1.12: http://www.ddmf.eu/IIEQ.htm

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7049/ddmfiieqeg3.jpg

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KarmaFX EQ 1.1b: http://karmafx.net/

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2325/newkarmage7.jpg

! 6/12/24dB switch means ±3/±6/±12 dB

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Kjaerhus Classic EQ 1.0.4 : http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-eq.php

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8383/kjaerhusclassiceqya6.jpg

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Kjaerhus GEQ-7 1.1.2: http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/geq-7.php

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/730/kjaerhusgeq7pl5.jpg

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Lizzaudio LizzGRAPHIC 1.0: http://www.geocities.com/lizzaudio/vst.htm

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6581/lizzgraphiceqen4.jpg

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Piotr 'Habib' Pyrzanowski Eq31 1.02 : http://habib.webhost.pl/vst_eq31.php

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6885/phabibeq31py7.jpg

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David Ross EQ18 1.0: http://www.davideross.net/php/vst.php

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/1118/rossieq18of7.jpg

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SlimSlowSlider LPG EQ 2.1.5 : http://www.geocities.jp/webmaster_of_sss/vst/index.html#lpgeq2

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9100/newssslpeqof5.jpg

! 6, 12, 24 or 96dB gain can be achieved only if all bands are set its max/min value ?

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Starplugs Master EQ 1.01: http://www.starplugs.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=15463c94e89e5ed/shopdata/?main_url=go.shopscript%3Fa%3D1305

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2980/starplugsmastereqgt5.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5033/hdstarplugsmastereqfw8.jpg

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Voxengo EssEQ 1.4: http://www.voxengo.com/product/esseq/

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/3066/voxengoesseqrh3.jpg

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Voxengo Overtone GEQ 1.2: http://www.voxengo.com/product/overtonegeq/

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5712/voxengoovertonegeqnd4.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/861/hdvoxengoovertonegeqwo8.jpg

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Aixcoustic Electri-Q Poshifopit: 1.7: http://www.aixcoustic.com/index.php/posihfopit_edition/30/0/

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4200/elqposhiof3.jpg
! Harmonic Distortion: http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/5142/hdelqposhiwn9.jpg

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"Original" audio da onca/C.Budde posihfopit 1.3.5: http://www.savioursofsoul.de/Christian/?page_id=8

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7119/posihfopitxe6.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9848/hdposihfopitgg2.jpg

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Magnus: NyquistEQ5 : http://magnus.smartelectronix.com/

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6076/magnusnyquisteqli6.jpg

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Voxengo CurveEQ 2.5: http://www.voxengo.com/product/curveeq/

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/7805/newcurveeqix5.jpg

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Voxengo GlissEQ 2.8.1: http://www.voxengo.com/product/glisseq/

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/685/voxengoglisseqhf4.jpg

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Voxengo Haromoni EQ 1.4: http://www.voxengo.com/product/harmonieq/

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/471/newharmoniqsu5.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7223/hdvoxengoharmonicsr7.jpg



NOTES:
- some of these EQ's are maybe 'special made' (Harmoni EQ as for an example) so it's its nature to produce exceptional results
- most do also have a 'bandwith/Q' setting so if the curve looks too steep/rounded it's maybe possible to adjust a bit more steepness/roundness....


If you're using other than those above mentioned EQ's, it would be nice if you could continue this list.


Junski

So, those URS, Flux, Sonalksis, PSP, EAS EQs are OK ... was there anything in harmonic distortion?


Here are couple more ...


Eiosis AirEQ 1.3.1 : http://www.eiosis.com/aireqdemo

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/2860/eiosisaireqfi7.jpg

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SpinAudio EQ10 (final version (discontinued)): http://www.spinaudio.com/getfile.php?id=117

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8724/spinaudioeq10gj3.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6858/hdspinaudioeq10hn5.jpg

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Nugen Audio | SEQ1 1.1: http://www.nugenaudio.com/seq1.php

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/5651/newnugenseq1ru0.jpg

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Nugen Audio | SEQ2 1.1b: http://www.nugenaudio.com/seq2.php

as SEQ1

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ddfm LP10 1.2 : http://www.ddmf.eu/lp10.htm

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/8951/newddmflp10rh7.jpg

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Sonic Flavours DQ7 1.0 : http://www.inuamusic.com/sonicflavours/index.php?lang=en&p_id=29

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/2746/sonicflavoursdq7yz5.jpg

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Refined Audiometrics Lab PLParEQ 2.21: http://refinedaudiometrics.com/products-plpareq.shtml

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2605/newplpareq1im8.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7576/hdrefinedplpareqer3.jpg

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Refined Audiometrics Lab PLParEQ3 2.21: http://refinedaudiometrics.com/products-plpareq3.shtml

as PLParEQ

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Refined Audiometrics Lab PLParEQX 2.21: http://refinedaudiometrics.com/products-plpareqx.shtml

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4264/newplpar1qxy6.jpg

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Refined Audiometrics Lab PLParEQX3 2.21: http://refinedaudiometrics.com/products-plpareqx.shtml

as PLParEQX

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u-he Filterscape Q6 1.1: http://www.u-he.com/filterscape/index.php?item=Q6

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3677/uhefilterscapeq6ff4.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3259/hduhefilterscapeq6kj2.jpg

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Antress Modern EQ 1.25: http://www.modernplugins.in-tw.com/

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7030/antressmoderneqvi2.jpg

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Sonalksis CQ1 1.06: http://www.sonalksis.com/index.php?section_id=100

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9976/sonalksiscq1ei4.jpg

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Sonalksis DQ1 1.06: http://www.sonalksis.com/index.php?section_id=101

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6953/sonalksisdq1ft2.jpg

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TriTone Digital Angeltone 1.0: http://www.tritonedigital.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=31

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3467/angeltonelf8.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/4473/hdangeltonemu6.jpg

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TriTone Digital Hydratone 1.31: http://www.tritonedigital.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=30

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/9944/newhydratonevz8.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4411/hdhydratonelf2.jpg

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WWAYM NWEQ Pro 1.0: http://www.wwaym.com/nweqpro.html

http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/6494/wwaymnweqprool8.jpg

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a0 Mastering EQ 1.0: http://www.a0audio.com/

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1245/a0masteringequq7.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6860/hda0masteringeqca7.jpg

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DigiLogue BlueParamEQ 2.00.7 (discontinued): http://www.digilogue.de/

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/3340/digiloguebluevr7.jpg

! Harmonic Distortion: http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9774/hddigiloguebluelk2.jpg



Junski

Hi Junski,

Now I'm just curious - how about the Cakewalk EQ and the Sonitus EQ that come with Sonar?
I suspect sometimes that the Sonitus EQ actually introduces harmonic distortion because the sound actually changes a little even when set on the "flat" setting (and the level actually increases a bit)...

Sincerely,
Dennis P

ORIGINAL: fessorman

Hi Junski,

Now I'm just curious - how about the Cakewalk EQ and the Sonitus EQ that come with Sonar?
I suspect sometimes that the Sonitus EQ actually introduces harmonic distortion because the sound actually changes a little even when set on the "flat" setting (and the level actually increases a bit)...

Sincerely,
Dennis P

IIRC, I tried to analyze some plug-in demos which are bundled with Sonar 5 demo but, those didn't get loadaed into analyzer (aren't these all restricted to work with Sonar only?).


Junski

Hi,

This is Urs Heckmann, developer of Filterscape.

I have redone the test with FilterscapeQ6 and found out that Christian's tool does not automatically take the plugin's latency into acount. If you set the latency to 16 samples (as reported by FSQ6 and compensated for in any decent host), any sort of audible harmonic distortion becomes neglectable:



Maybe you should redo the tests with seemingly weird results...?

Peace,

;) Urs

Voxengo GlissEQ 2.8.1

- This EQ appears to be working properly - or am I missing something. I primarily use Cakewalk's built in EQ - except for bluecollar mastering. Then I reach for Voxengo's Curve EQ more often than GlissEQ. Appears I may need to rethink that...

I'm glad you reported in Urs. I've seen post after post in these forums as of late asking about which EQ is the best and so on, and I keep thinking to myself that this is a silly question. I've never noticed any kind of distortion problems with any software EQ, nor anything else that really set one apart from another. As long as the Q point and width are adjustable I can get fine results with any EQ. I should think that an EQ must be the easiest software there is to develope. (I don't know that, but it would seem reasonable). I don't like plugins period, but EQ plugs are the last I'd be worried about.

They do have their own characteristics, often purposeful, so it does matter sometimes which one you pick, or better to say it would sometimes help to pick a particular one if you have a paritcular result in mind. The Kjaerhus GEQ7 that I use mostly (it's one of the ones above), has four different filter types and you can clearly hear the difference between three of them, less so between the first and last one. Some types of filters are good at steep, sharp cuts, and others are best for gentle cuts. That's why I like the GEQ7, because it can do both types, plus type three adds kind of warm overtones as well, while type 2 is very clean and surgical. The difference can be pretty significant.

I do agree that there probably isn't a lot of worry about distortion in any of these good ones, unless you are doing really radical cuts or something maybe. But they do (or better to say 'can') color the sound in different ways when used for different types of EQ'ing.