Best Software EQ?

[ernstinen]

Hey Everyone,What's the best software EQ these days? I'm remastering some rock stuff of mine, and have been using TRacks in ProTools. It sounds pretty good, but doesn't quite match up to the analog George Massenburg EQ that I used to rent. That thing was amazing!Any ideas would be welcome!Thanks in advance,Ern

[jh]

UAD-1 Pulteq That is sweeeet All the UAD eqs sound good to me though Maybe not as good as Massenburg, but when we´re talking about plug-ins, UAD ispretty close. I can´t say if UAD is the best, but it´s the best that I know of just my 2 cents plus tax - JH

[mazz]

The UAD-1 Pultec is pretty darn nice. It works great for fairly wide cuts and boosts. Of course, you need a UAD-1 card to run it. For more surgical EQ I've heard great things about the emulations of the Sony Oxford EQs. I know the UAD-1 card has a version but I don't have it. I think someone makes a version for Pro Tools.Mazz

[andreh]

Quote:The UAD-1 Pultec is pretty darn nice. It works great for fairly wide cuts and boosts. Of course, you need a UAD-1 card to run it. For more surgical EQ I've heard great things about the emulations of the Sony Oxford EQs. I know the UAD-1 card has a version but I don't have it. I think someone makes a version for Pro Tools.MazzThe Sony EQ Mazz mentions (along with their other plugins: http://www.sonnoxplugins.com) is excellent. In my view it can be quite surgical, but also very colorful if set to a wider Q. I think it's an exact replica of Sony's Oxford EQ, not an emulation. In any case, it sounds great but at high a CPU and $ cost. It's now available in all the popular native formats.The MDW EQ (only available in TDM and RTAS formats) is stellar, with a very clean and precise tone.I've heard great things about Flux ePure, Waves/Duende SSL emulations, and the Waves API plugs. Starting to get even more pricey, but worth it if you want the closest to "analog" as possible.André

[fivehands]

For your stereo mix check out HarBal, harmonic balancer. For $110 Canadian it's the best mastering EQ I've used. You can load a reference track of the type of track you are trying to get close to, it displays the analysis of it, and you can tweak the analysis of your track to match or to your heart's content. Not really recommended for individual instrument tracks but still it can be used this way. The HarBal site offers tutorials on how to use it best.

[ginstl]

roger nichols audio has nice stuff too at reasonable prices.

[keithl]

I use Sony Oxford for EQ (great surgical eq), but when you just need something straightforward, go check out Massey Plugins...this guy has great stuff and is dirt cheap.(plus you can use the demo for as long as you like...has limitations, such as not saving settings)Very fair policy! I have the tape, eq, compressor. I hear the limiter is real nice, but I have the Sony limiter.

[ernstinen]

Thanks Guys!These all look great! The HarBal is an interesting concept. Roger Nichols is a name I trust. But this Massey guy must be either a socialist or a mad genius! The EQ is only 3-band, but it might work in conjunction with T-Racks.I'll download demos today and give y'all a report!Thanks again,Ern

[aubreyz]

Quote:Thanks Guys!These all look great! The HarBal is an interesting concept. Roger Nichols is a name I trust. But this Massey guy must be either a socialist or a mad genius! The EQ is only 3-band, but it might work in conjunction with T-Racks.I'll download demos today and give y'all a report!Thanks again,Ern Massey IS a mad genius. I love his tape emulation. The mastering comp is one of the best IMHO. The eq is nice too. Limited because of the three bands, but sounds great!btw-- for uncolored just straight EQ-- it's really hard to beat the digidesign eq III. I also like the sony Oxford EQ, but use it less and less.Aub

[nickbatzdorf]

Ern, if you need a totally uncolored one, you want a FIR EQ. Waves has one that's amazing.