Hi All-

I've been experimenting with different EQ plugins. I understand that you can get basically the same results with all of them, although I'm sure there are differences of opinion re which is the most "transparent", etc. I have a humble home studio, so the *really* fine differences will be lost on me, I'm afraid...

What's most useful for me for right now (still learning, reading) is an EQ with an interface that includes a spectrum analyzer so I get immediate visual as well as auditory feedback. I'd rather not run 2 separate plugins for this (eg., Sonitus EQ plus Cakewalk Analyzer).

The easiest for me to work with so far by a wide margin is EQUO (included with FL Studio), but that can only run as a VST in another host if purchased bundled with the Image-Line FX "Juice Pack", which is $99 USD. (I wish I could purchase it separately, since I don't really need any of the other included FX.) You can just draw the frequency response(s) you want with a single gesture, or pinpoint and adjust frequencies, etc.

The Linear EQ included with S7 in Curve Mode comes closest in terms of ease of use, but it "stutters" or doesn't sound at all when I'm making adjustments, even with a simple test project with only one audio track.

I'm also checking out Voxengo's GlissEQ. That might be the best way to go, but am I missing something in SPE7 that would do something similar, or do I need to insert an EQ plus an analyzer in each track so I can hear & see what I'm doing at the same time?

Thanks-

-Susan

My Opinion

GlissEQ

Look no further. The additional cool thing about Gliss is that you can overlay the spectrum display of up to four other Gliss instances at the same time. The spectrum analyzer from BlueCat will let you do MORE than that and once...and name each of them. But there's a lot more setup overhead with that AND it doesn't have the EQ under it.

You can also go back and dig up your old Timeworks EQ if you have versions back to S2 (or whatever it was). I'll show you how to hack up the registry to make that work without having to reinstall if you are interested.

Oh...while I'm going on about Voxengo...you MUST also get SPAN. I much prefer it to the Cakewalk Analyzer, and it's FREE! Sooner or later at least one instance of it shows up in any given project...somewhere. It's usually on the master bus, but it kinda pops up all over at times.

Another vote for the Gliss EQ and SPAN.

Mike

Hi Dan-

I do still have the Timeworks plugins, so I'll re-install them and check those out as well.

I also have Voxengo's SPAN -- curious though why you prefer it to CW's Analyzer, which just seems very simple and direct to me, plus you can record the output as envelope data. I don't know if you can do that with SPAN, nor do I know at this point if I'd need/want to, but hey, you can!

Thanks much-

-Susan

I've moved over to Logic and I've found the stock channel eq (with spectrum analyzer) to be excellent. But I guess it's totally irrelevant in this Sonar-context. :)

I just bought the Wave Arts Trackplug (also with spectrum analyzer), and it's great! I think it costed $200. I mixed my last project with it almost exclusively. Sounds great. Nice eq, nice, transparent compressor and the best software gate I've heard. Highly recommended.

http://www.wavearts.com/TrackPlug5.html

+1 for the GlissEQ. Also Ozone. See this thread

Another vote for Gliss EQ.

Also, if you're going to install the Timeworks EQ & Comp from S2XL, you'll need to dl and run the DirectXUtility.

HTH

Hi Phrauge-

Also, if you're going to install the Timeworks EQ & Comp from S2XL, you'll need to dl and run the DirectXUtility.

Oh, poo! That's just enough to make it not worth it for me!

What I remember about the Timeworks GUIs was that they were dark and the fonts were very small. BUT if they sound good, yada-yada... I'll do it.

Lazy, lazy-

-Susan

There is'nt any lack of scathing responses ( especially on mastering forums!) about the usage if FFT analysers whilst mixing : " Oh , look at that mix!!" , " use your earballs !!ect. ect .

I personally think it's good to develop a little ear/eye coordination!! That said , it's always a good Idea to close your eyes and not become transfixed with all the cool stuff happening in the display!


The things I have learned in my travels that can help are ; The FFT process is filled with compromise, always remeber that you are almost always dealing with data that has been averaged in some manner because of computational limitations and realities. lower block sizes are more accurate in the time domain, but don't display long wave frequency amplitudes well. If you increase the Block size you will be able to observe bass and lower midrange frequency amplitudes better , but at the cost of slower time display accuracy (which leads us back to trusting your ears because there could be cognitive dissonance when you are trying to coordinate two senses and the data recieved by the both of them is not in synch!!).

These tools can help you to track down rouge resonationg frequencies pretty fast , but not subtle masking within adjacent one third octave bands.


I guess what I'm getting at is by all means experiment and develop your own methods , but try to be aware of all thats going on. The devil is in Details

I didn't need to DL anything to install it. I think that is true only if you wish to install Sonar.
Also I recommend Visualizer from Nugen. Here Its an outstanding tool for analyzing.