TOP 3: EQs for the Arsenal

These three EQ plugins are ones that I swear by, and having even just one of them at hand would give me great confidence in making a stellar sounding mix.

Number 1: Fabfilter Pro Q3

You have probably seen me bang on about this plugin in many of my posts, but it really is *that* amazing!

Not only is it incredibly intuitive and easy to use, but it also sounds beautifully transparent and accurate. The analyser is so helpful, and it offers just so many options that there really is no need to pick up another EQ.

In addition to being a standard parametric EQ that offers unlimited nodes & great surgical precision, the plugin also offers dynamic EQ, linear phase, mid-side processing, auto-gain and every EQ curve you could want for each of the nodes.

It really is a no brainer number one for being a desert-island scenario EQ.

Number 2: SSL Native Channel Strip 2

For any of you with experience on analogue consoles, this may be the EQ for you.

This plugin is modelled by SSL themselves, and it sounds amazing - pretty much just like the original legendary SSL G & E channel strips. Of course, there are many many emulations of this out there, however this one takes the cake for being the best in my opinion.

This plugin has the ability for the EQ to be pushed far without the audio signal sounding thin or muddy, which makes this the EQ perfect for adding flavour to your tracks. However, if you would still like to make any more surgical moves to the audio then the flexible range of the Q control will definitely be of help. In addition to this, the channel strip includes a faithful recreation of the gate/expander section, compressor section and flexible routing within the channel strip.

Here’s a great review from the perpetually angry Glenn Fricker:

The last perk of this plugin is that it goes hand-in-hand with the SSL UC1 (see here) which may provide a huge workflow boon to those familiar with analogue consoles. Or even for those who never have touched analogue in their life, the controller provides a way to EQ more quickly and musically than using a mouse.

Who better to demonstrate a gear demo than Mich Gallagher from Sweetwater? :

Number 3: WavesFactory Trackspacer

Now that I’ve discussed my favourite surgical swiss army knife EQ and my favourite musical analogue EQ, now it’s time to talk about my favourite “hidden weapon” EQ, the Wavesfactory Trackspacer.

This plugin is only simple but works wonderfully well. It works by listening to the sidechain input and reacts by removing the frequencies on the track this plugin is active on.

It features an attack and release time, in addition to a low and high cut to specify which frequencies this plugin works on. It also lets you specify how much reduction you would like to have. In the advanced panel it also allows panning and even mid-side processing, offering users a lot of flexibility.

It is only a simple plugin, but works wonderfully and sounds very musical. Try it on your kick/bass or on instruments that muddy up the vocal take - this plugin is perfect for adding more space within your mix !

Thanks for taking the time to read this one, I hope that if you decide to try any of these plugins they’ll be of good use.

See you in the next one :)