The Kilohearts Carve EQ is a 31-band EQ with built-in spectral analysis and a Match tool that makes it both addictive and useful. Carve EQ can be both heavy handed and precise, depending on how you use it. We prefer to use Carve EQ for drastic cuts and boosts. The UI also lends itself incredibly well to a fast paced production style.
EQ is one of the most basic—and important—tools you have as an audio engineer.
But there are so many different EQs out there, how do you know which ones are for you?
You might be thinking your DAW’s channel EQ is perfectly fine. But not all EQs are the same. There’s more types than you might think.
Here’s the 15 best EQ Plugins on the market today:
This article will teach you about the common styles of EQ and how to use them to shape the perfect sound.
Let’s dive in!
Analog EQ
Early EQs were all analog. Some of the earliest equalizer designs are still around today.
Engineers covet these analog beauties for the musically pleasing way they shape sounds. The musical qualities are the result of the unique circuit design of each unit.
Certain EQs became so sought after that plugin designers developed software to emulate them as closely as possible in the digital domain—leading to a mind-boggling ocean of plugin choices.
So what are the different styles of analog EQ? How do they work? What are they used for and where do they work best?
There’s no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing an EQ. But there are some helpful guidelines that will help you get started with the classic designs.
Vst plugin dblue glitch v1 3 dblue glitch v1 xbox. If that commit was with a patch from 2 years ago it probably needs to berebased.On Monday, February 03, 2014 07:48:07 AM mikobuntu wrote:OHHH this is good news, i wonder how much of the code can be saved orwill it be better to just revert the commit completely?thanks Mikobuntu;)Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2014 07:39:53 -0800From:To:CC:Subject: Re: lmms 'sync VST plugins to host playback' problem. Seems that it's a false positive.—Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub. 0.4.15 was released 7 months ago, while the commit that's thought to cause the bug was 2 years ago.
Pultec-style EQ
The Pultec EQP-1A is the most sought after EQ ever. Well-preserved original units can sell for over $10,000.
The Pultec EQP-1A is the most sought after EQ ever.
Fortunately for us, the EQP-1A has a long history of software emulation. Today’s Pultec-style plugins can sound good—if you know how to use them.
Pultec-style EQ can work wonders to subtly boost top end or extend lows. It can even make broad EQ enhancements without sacrificing any of the original vibe of the sound.
Since the EQP-1A hails from the earliest era of equalizers, it’s control scheme is a little less intuitive than modern designs.
The bandwidth control affects both the high and low band, but low band works differently from the high band.
For the low band, the boost and attenuate knobs are both linked to one of four frequency options. This quirk allows you to both boost and cut at the selected frequency.
The overlapping filters create a steep bump that’s fantastic for boosting the fundamental frequencies of low end instruments.
The high band has separate frequency options for boosting and cutting with overlaps at 5 and 10 kHz.
These controls are interactive and can result in some unique equalization curves.
Best Pultec EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Ignite Amps PTeq-X
Ignite Amps PTeq-X is a fantastic (and free) way to get started with Pultec-style EQ. It works just like the original so you can get a sense for creating those quirky overlapping curves.
Cheap Plugin: Waves PuigTec EQP-1A
The Waves PuigTec EQP-1A is a well-emulated, workhorse Pultec EQ. It’s very affordable if you can catch it on sale.
Pro Plugin: UAD Pultec EQP-1A
The UAD Pultec EQP-1A is the industry standard software Pultec. UAD spared no expense in creating the perfect Pultec for your DAW.
SSL Channel EQ
SSL console strips did a lot to inform our idea of what a modern EQ is.
SSL console strips did a lot to inform our idea of what a modern EQ is.
Classic features we’re familiar with today like integrated high/low-pass filters and variable Q were popularized by these consoles.
The SSL consoles are famous for their incredibly powerful filters.
The sharp high/low-pass filters, precise frequency ranges and extremely narrow Q options make this a EQ a first choice for surgical suturing and dramatic tonal changes. Their character is precise but aggressive.
Best SSL EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Smacklabs Logic Channel
Smacklabs Logic Channel is a good entry-level SSL EQ. This free plugin models the entire SSL channel strip, so you can try out the classic SSL-style compressor and gate/expander while you’re at it.
Cheap Plugin: Slate FG-S
The Slate FG-S comes bundled with their very affordable VMR channel strip collection. The FG-S packs all the features and sound of the aggressive, surgical SSL channel EQ.
Pro Plugin: SSL Native Channel Strip
SSL recently jumped into the software game with its own line of plugins—including an in-house version of their classic console channel strip. Why not go straight to the source?
API-style EQ
Experienced engineers often refer to API as the “American” sound in contrast to the “British” Neve tone.
They’re two sides of the same classic console coin.
If you’re a fan of music from the 60’s and 70’s, there’s a good chance some of your favourite records were recorded one of these desks.
The classic API EQ comes in a three band (550a) or four-band (550b) flavour.
The bands don’t have individual Q controls, but the EQ is designed so that the Q becomes progressively sharper as you apply more extreme cuts or boosts.
It’s intuitive and keeps you from worrying too much about the Q setting.
API-style EQ splits the difference between surgical and sculpting. Mild settings can be very transparent, while extreme cuts or boosts can be dramatic and vibey.
Best API EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Bee-Happy 550
Bee-Happy 500 is a free API-style plugin for those looking to start with classic 70’s console EQ.
Cheap Plugin: Sly-Fi Axis
Sly-Fi Axis is part of the UBK family of products that includes the innovative Kush Audio hardware and software. This EQ is an API on steroids that’s meant to exaggerate the analog colouration of the original.
Pro Plugin: Waves 550a & 550b
Waves 550a and 550b are fantastic native emulations of the API EQ. These are great-sounding and versatile plugins to get the API sound on your tracks.
Neve-style EQ
Neve consoles are the world’s most prized vintage recording equipment.
From the early sixties until the mid-eighties, Neve Electronics produced consoles legendary for their warm, musical sound.
The preamp section of the Neve console strip often gets the most attention, but the EQ is a big part of the Neve sound.
Neve EQs are another great option for broad, smooth cuts and boosts with lots of character.
Neve EQs are another great option for broad, smooth cuts and boosts with lots of character.
There are several different flavours of Neve EQ from the various revisions of the console, but they mostly share the same architecture with a high-pass filter, two or three parametric mid bands and one fixed high band.
The fixed 12 kHz high band found on the Neve 1073 EQ is famous for its ability to add air to vocals, drum rooms and overheads.
Best Neve EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Smacklabs SL84 Console EQ
Smacklabs SL84 Console EQ will give you a taste of the Neve EQ sound for free. It’s accurately modelled using IR technology.
Cheap Plugin: Sonimus Burnley 73
Sonimus Burnley 73 is super economical way to get the sound of a 1073 on to your tracks.
It's both frequency shifter and analog-style echo, which in combination makes for a very psychedelic, trippy delay effect that feels like it's going in and out of your head.Frequency shifting the delay output makes for some very interesting results. 9.The ValhallaFreqEcho is many things, along with being a staple plugin you must have in your library. https://omgze.netlify.app/fm-synthesizer-vst-free.html.
Pro Plugin: UAD Neve 1073
The UAD Neve 1073 is a tremendously accurate emulation of the classic 1073 preamp and EQ. It’s incredibly smooth and musical with tone that screams Neve.
Digital EQ
We all drool over the analog EQ beauties. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t extremely useful and creative tools that don’t have anything in common with the classics.
Digital EQ is essential for any DAW. It’s the most precise tool in your EQ tool box.
Reach for digital EQ when you want to make changes without colouring your sound at all. In the right hands, digital EQ can be powerful, flexible and utterly undetectable.
Reach for digital EQ when you want to make changes without colouring your sound at all.
It’s a first choice for “problem solving” duties like notching out room resonances.
Free Vst Plugins Eq
Best Digital EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Your built-in DAW EQ
Most DAWs come bundled with a capable digital EQ. We’re talking about stock DAW plugins like Ableton EQ Eight, Logic Channel EQ, and Avid EQIII. These are all effective entry points into digital EQ.
Cheap Plugin: Voxengo PrimeEQ
Voxengo PrimeEQ is a robust, well-designed digital EQ from a respected company. Look no further if you’re after a nice workhorse digital EQ.
Pro Plugin: Fabfilter ProQ 2
Fabfilter ProQ 2 is the most technologically advanced EQ on this list. The raw power of this EQ is staggering—it’s a singular feat of DSP engineering. Listing all its incredibly powerful features would take far too long, let’s just say this a top-tier professional EQ!
A set of plug-ins from Blue Cat Audio.Blue Cat’s Axiom v1.4.0 is a powerful and affordable multi-effect processor and software for modeling guitar and bass amplifiers. Blue cat audio vst plugin bundle.
Great Equalizer
There’s a whole world of EQ out there.
It’s such a fundamental tool that engineers will always have strong opinions about it. And that means that designers will always be creating new and better versions.
Wading through that water is daunting and exciting at the same time.
But now that you know a little bit about the types of EQ, go head try some of the plugins on this list. You’ll find out which EQ works best for you!
BEST FREE VST EQUALIZERS
FREE EQUALIZER VST PLUGINS
MEqualizer by Melda Production (Windows and Mac)
If you are new to mixing it can sometimes be of help to have an equalizer that gives you a visual representation to the changes you make in sound. MEqualizer by Melda Production comes in handy here. First of all it is a very well sounding free VST equalizer. It has six bands to tweak and for each band you can choose between 7 filter types.
MEqualizer can be used in a more clean mode but it also allows you to dial in tube saturation and harmonics to your taste through which it will function more as a vintage or analog sounding equalizer.
It comes with a spectrum analyzer and a sonogram and even has an auto-listening option which enables you to zoom in on a certain band. To top it all off you can use it in several modes including mid or side mode and of course in left + right mode for normal use on stereo or mono tracks.
MEqualizer even has it own limiter build in. A very versatile equalizer indeed.
MEqualizer comes as a part of the MfreeEffectsBundle that includes several other nice free VST plugins.
SlickEQ by VOS TDR (Windows and Mac)
SlickEQ is one of the best free VST equalizers out there. It has three bands plus a high pass filter.
While the mid band is a bell curve you get the choice between shelf and bell filter for the low and high band.
You also have the choise of four different filter curve slopes: British, American, German, and Soviet – inspired by hardware consoles from the respective countries (at least the first three).
SlickEQ is very smooth. You can push it pretty far in the high frequency area without any harshness.
Should you desire a subtle saturation you can dial that in by pressing the EQSat button and choose your calibration type in the outstage section where you also get to choose whether you want automatic gain ajustment or not.
SlickEQ can function either as a stereo or mono equalizer or you can use it in either mid or side mode. You can chain two instances of the SlickEQ and thereby double the amount of bands to tweak or set one in mid and the other in side mode and thereby having a very nice m/s eq.
Nexus 2 vst free download. This free VST EQ plugin is highly recommended and should you desire extra options the commercial Gentlemen’s Edition is very affordable.
SonEQ by Sonimus (Windows and Mac)
SonEQ is again one of those very nice free VST tools for digital audio work. You can control the input and output which gives you control over to what extend the eq should work with a clean or vintage sound. The harder you push it the more saturation you get – just like with an old analog mixing desk.
31 Band Eq Vst Free
SonEQ has a both a high and a low pass filter. It enables you to do the ”Pultec Buttom End Trick” by boosting and cutting the same freqency in the low band area at the same time.
The mid band can be adjusted to a target frequency between 150 – 4000 Hz and gives you a choice between two q-settings.
The high band can control the frequency spectrum from a center point of either 6, 8, 12, or 15 Khz. For extra saturation use the drive section. A very nice free VST colouring eq!
RED EQ by Acustica Audio (Windows and Mac)
Free 31 Band Eq Vst Plugin Downloads
Red EQ by Acustica Audio is a simple yet very well sounding free VST equalizer. Acustica Audio use a form of convolution technique to “sample” the sound of hardware devices. Through this they are attempting to create plugins that are as close as possible to hardware in sound and function. Whether they are more successful in this attempt than developers that base their plugins on algorithms is a question of debate on many internet forums. What can be said here is that their RED EQ is a very good equalizer and definitely worth having in your tool box. It has three bands: low, mid, and high. While the mid band is a bell curve the low and the high bands are shelf EQs.
OCHRE EQ by Acustica Audio (Windows and Mac)
Free Eq Vst
Ochre is another fine free VST EQ from Acustica Audio. It gives you three bands to play with: a low bandwhere you can choose between a centre frequency from 35 – 315 Hz, a mid band with a choice of centre freqency from 315 – 2.500 Hz, and finally a high band where you can chose a centre freqency between 2.500 and 22.000 Hz. Each band can be boosted or cut by up to 16 dB, and you can choose a Q between 0.5 and 4.0. Ochre also has a pre-amp stage that can be switched on for more “analog colour” or off for a cleaner sound. There is also an input gain control as well as an output gain control. Since the plugin acts much like a hardware device you can use these controls to feed the right amount of level to the plugin – and you can “drive” the input to get more colour. Like RED EQ from the same developer Ochre EQ maintains a sweet sound when you boost the high band.
Luftikus by lkjb (Windows and Mac)
Luftikus by lkjb is a very nice free VST EQ that works very much like the Maag EQ 4. It has six fixed bands: 10 Hz, 40 Hz, 160 Hz, 640 Hz, 2.5 kHz, and a high boost band / high shelf where you can choose between five different beginning points in the freqency spectrum (2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 kHz). Luftikus has an analog switch that will give you a little extra analog grit and colour. You can use Luftikus in normal mode ot you can switch on the mastering mode that will give you a stepped functionality for the first five frequency bands which comes in handy for mastering tasks. There is a trim for the output volume, or you can turn on the “keep gain” function so you won’t be fooled by differences in loudness when you tweak the equalizer. This is a high quality free VST EQ plugin and it is a valuable tool both for mixing and for mastering purposes.
ColourEQ by DDMF (Windows and Mac)
Free 31 Band Eq Vst Plugins
ColourEQ by DDMF is a very clean free VST eq. The name simply refers to the fact that you can choose between different colours for the GUI. It comes with five bands of ”super parametric” peaking filters, which means that there is one more parameter in addition to the traditional gain/width/frequency set that can influence the curve shape. In other words you can adjust the eq curves in ways that is not possible with a regular graphic equalizer. Further features include: a low cut filter, adjustable GUI colours, freely resizable window size, internal 64 bit processing and low CPU usage.
IIEQ by DDMF (Windows and Mac)
The IIEQ is a fully parametric 10-band free VST equalizer. The 1st and the 10th band are low and high shelf filters, respectively; all other bands are peak filters. Individual bands can be switched on and off. IIEQ comes with different GUIs of which some are available only in 32-bit. If you need an EQ with many bands IIEQ will meet your demands and on top of that it has a very nice sound.
Marvel GEQ by Voxengo (Windows and Mac)
Should you need a linear phase eq for mastering purposes Voxengo Marvel GEQ (graphic equalizer) is an exellent free VST. It is simple to use with its 16 fixed bands, and it gives you the choice of tweaking the mid channel and the channel individually. Marvel GEQ offers extensive internal channel routing capabilities. A very nice free VST from Voxengo – a company that has quite a few free VST plugins on their website. Check them out.