Which EQ plugins are the best? And how do all these plugins differ from each other?
Some are free, while others cost a bit of money. So, which one should you choose for your needs?
That can be a difficult question to answer.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the best 17 EQ plugins available today. We will break down the features and benefits of each plugin, so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you!
There are many different styles of EQ plugins on the market, most based on different hardware models created by various companies.
These major EQ styles are: Pultec, SSL, API, and Neve.
Of course, you also have digital and even A.I. powered EQs, which I'll cover in this post.
To give you an idea of how these EQs differ from each other, here are how some producers have described the differences:
- PULTEC = Smooth and creamy. Adds a midrange character that either fits the program or not.
- SSL = Aggressive in a Solid-State manner. Fat bottom and aggressive mid/highs. Great for sculpting and making things stand out.
- API = The mid ground of SSL and NEVE, fat but not too aggressive at the same time.
- NEVE = Very fat bottom and aggressive mid/highs. Compared to the SSL is has more character but not as surgical.
Now let's dive into the best EQ plugins!
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Pultec Style
Pultec EQs are famous for being able to boost extremely low and high frequencies without ruining the frequencies in the middle.
Pultec EQs can boost and cut the same frequencies at the same time, which would make you think that they would be cancelling each other out, but this isn't what happens (because the curves and frequencies aren't actually identical).
Instead, when you boost AND cut, you can get a nice deep bass WITHOUT the added mud, making the Pultec EQ great for low end EQ.
Free: Acustica Audio Coffee 'The PUn'
Coffee has a big sound and aggressive character, but can also treat your source with respect, awaking its inner potential.
Pro: IK Multimedia EQP-1A
IK Multimedia EQP-1A is a digital emulation of the classic Pultec EQP-1A equalizer.
It is popular among music producers and audio engineers for its warm, smooth sound and unique boost and cut options. Here are some pros and cons to consider when using the IK Multimedia EQP-1A plugin:
Pros:
- Authentic emulation of the Pultec EQP-1A equalizer
- Smooth, warm sound quality
- Unique boost and cut options for complex EQ shapes
Cons:
- Some users may prefer a more modern or flexible EQ plugin
Overall, the IK Multimedia EQP-1A plugin is a high-quality EQ tool that is especially good for your highs and lows.
If you are looking for an authentic emulation of the Pultec EQP-1A equalizer, this plugin is definitely worth considering.
However, if you are looking for a more modern or flexible EQ plugin, there may be other options that better suit your needs.
SSL Console Style
The Solid State Logic (SSL) 4000 is an analog mixing console that was widely adopted by major recording studios in the 1980s.
Free: Smacklabs Logic Channel
Inspired by the famous “nine thousand series” British console, the Logic Channel provides a high quality channel strip with Compressor, Gate, Filters, and EQ.
Pro: British Channel
IK Multimedia British Channel plugin is a digital emulation of the classic British console channel strip, specifically the SSL 4000 series console. It includes a preamp, EQ, and compressor modeled after the SSL console.
Countless hit records around the world have been produced on this large format British mixing console since the 80's making it a true staple of the music production technology for its ultimate flexibility and trademark sound.
Many of these consoles are still in active use today in the control rooms of countless studios around the world.
Pros:
- Authentic emulation of the SSL 4000 series console channel strip
- Wide range of tonal options with the preamp, EQ, gate, and compressor
- Smooth, warm sound quality
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Cons:
- Some users may prefer a more modern or flexible channel strip plugin
Overall, the IK Multimedia British Channel plugin is a high-quality channel strip tool that is suitable for a wide range of applications. If you are looking for an authentic emulation of the SSL 4000 series console channel strip, this plugin is definitely worth considering.
However, if you are looking for a more modern or flexible channel strip plugin, there may be other options that better suit your needs.
API Style
Few equalizers are as respected as APIs, especially the API 550A, which originally came about in the late 1960s.
Some say that the 550A is the standard against which other EQs are measured.
Free: Bee-Happy 550
Bee-Happy 550 is an emulation of the famous API 550b vintage equalizer.
- 4 bands EQ
- Tube distortion
- Soft clip
Pro: Waves 550 A & B
Modeled on the late 1960’s legend, the API 550A EQ provides reciprocal and repeatable equalization at 15 points in 5 steps of boost, divided into three overlapping ranges.
Its high and low frequency ranges are individually selectable as either peaking or shelving, and a band-pass filter can be inserted independently of all other settings.
The 550B, with its renowned four overlapped EQ bands, is invaluable as both a problem solver and a sweetening device. With 7 switchable filter frequencies spanning up to 5 octaves per band, the 550B’s “Proportional Q” automatically widens the filter bandwidth at minimal settings and narrows it at higher settings.
It even lets you undo previous processing, affect or even reverse tonal modifications. With their vast range of tonal possibilities, the API 550A and 550B are a pair of versatile EQs with that one-of-a-kind API sound.
Neve Style
Next we'll look at a couple of good Neve EQ plugins.
"I have always been a designer in the sense of whatever I was doing, I wanted to improve it. In the days when I was designing radio receivers, that was design, even when I was building on others’ designs. I’ve always been a designer and I now recognize that as a person who was created in the image of the Creator, the kind of designs that I’ve been involved with are those that seek perfection. We never reach that perfection, but you can go on searching for it, and that always makes me a designer." - Rupert Neve
SL84 Console EQ is based off of a British “80 series” console EQ.
The SL84 captures the sound and its Rock n Roll vibe of this vintage piece of hardware. Using IR technology for the design, the SL84 features true frequency response of the original hardware module. Just adding the SL84 on every track of your session will add a subtle effect on your project.
- True Frequency response of the hardware unit.
- EQ and Filter curves modeled from the “80 Series” EQ unit.
- Hi Q setting for the mid-frequency EQ band.
- EQ and Filter bypass button.
- Very CPU Friendly.
Pro: IK Multimedia EQ 81
IK Multimedia's EQ 81 plug-in emulates the Neve 1081 equalizer. Here are some pros and cons to consider when using the IK Multimedia EQ 81 plugin:
Pros:
- Authentic emulation of the SSL 8000 series EQ
- Wide frequency range with precise control
- Smooth, transparent sound quality
- Provides a range of processing modes, including single-band and dual-band
- Supports automation and MIDI learn
Cons:
- May be more expensive than some other EQ plugins on the market
- Some users may prefer a more modern or flexible EQ plugin
Overall, the IK Multimedia EQ 81 plugin is a high-quality EQ tool that is suitable for a wide range of applications. If you are looking for an authentic emulation of the Neve 1081 equalizer, this plugin is definitely worth considering.
However, if you are looking for a more modern or flexible EQ plugin, there may be other options that better suit your needs.
Digital
Analog emulated EQs are popular because they contain that vintage sound we're all familiar with, but that doesn't mean there isn't a place for digital equalizers that don't emulate any specific piece of analog gear.
Analog gear had a lot of limitations and imperfections that digital EQs aren't encumbered by.
Thus, digital EQs are excellent when you're going for hyper-transparent, linear-phase EQing that doesn't change the original color of the sound you're boosting or cutting.
Free
TDR Nova
NOVA is a parallel dynamic equalizer. That means it can be used as an EQ and a compressor.
Appearing in the familiar layout of a parametric equalizer, each band also includes a full featured dynamics section allowing the processor to cover an impressively wide range of applications.
Be it a master lacking density, the drum bus asking for more crispiness, or a sibilance problem in your perfect take: NOVA has an elegant answer.
Slick EQ
TDR VOS SlickEQ is a mixing/mastering equalizer designed for ease of use, musical flexibility and impeccable sound.
Pro
FabFilter Pro-Q 3
With FabFilter Pro-Q 3, you get the highest possible sound quality, a very extensive feature set, and a gorgeous, innovative interface with unrivalled ease of use.
FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is a high-end EQ plugin that offers a ton of features and flexibility. It has a clear, intuitive interface that makes it easy to use. It also sounds great, with a wide range of frequencies that can be tweaked to your liking.
Pros:
- Highly accurate and transparent sound quality
- Wide range of EQ modes, including dynamic EQ and mid/side processing
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Excellent frequency analyzer with real-time visualization
- Supports automation and MIDI learn
Cons:
- May be more expensive than some other EQ plugins on the market
- Some users may find the interface to be a bit cluttered or overwhelming
Waves Renaissance EQ
An intuitive, analog-style 6-band paragraphic EQ, with variable filter types, vintage-sounding curves, and a real-time frequency analyzer. A favorite for countless Grammy-winning producers and engineers.
Waves Renaissance EQ is another high-end option that sounds fantastic. It has a very clean interface, with simple but effective controls. It’s also very affordable, making it a great choice for those on a budget.
Pros: Clean interface, sounds great, very affordable.
Cons: Not as many features as some of the other plugins on this list.
Waves F6
Surgical dynamic equalizer with 6 floating, fully-adjustable parametric filter bands, advanced EQ and compression/expansion controls per band, mid-side processing options, real-time frequency spectrum analyzer, and more.
Pros:
- Provides precise control over frequency bands with dynamic EQ
- Allows for real-time visualization of the EQ curve
- Offers a range of processing modes, including compression and mid-side processing
- Dynamic EQ
Cons:
- Some users may find the interface to be a bit cluttered or overwhelming
Baby Audio Smooth Operator
Smooth Operator isn't technically an EQ. It actually combines the benefits of Resonance Suppression, Spectral Compression, and Equalization into one workflow.
It essentially you can use it to EQ, compress, and "purify" all in one go.
Pros:
- Provides precise control over frequency bands with multi-band compression and EQ
- Allows for real-time visualization of the EQ and compression curve
- Easy to use and intuitive interface
Cons:
- Some users may prefer a more advanced compressor plugin with more features and flexibility
Overall, the Baby Audio Smooth Operator plugin is a powerful and easy-to-use multi-band compressor/EQ that is suitable for a wide range of applications.
If you are looking for a high-quality compressor plugin with a user-friendly interface and a range of processing modes, this plugin is definitely worth considering.
However, if you are looking for a more advanced EQ plugin with more features and flexibility, there may be other options that better suit your needs.
Also, you can get 10% off Smooth Operator (and all Baby Audio plugins) when you use my code at checkout: "OAA"
A.I. EQs
Neutron 3
Izotope Neutron 3 is a powerful mixing and mastering tool that offers a range of innovative features and technologies to help you achieve professional-sounding results.
One of the standout features of Neutron 3 is its intelligent signal processing, which uses machine learning algorithms to analyze your audio and suggest optimal settings for various processing parameters. This can be a huge time-saver and helps to take the guesswork out of mixing and mastering.
Neutron goes far beyond EQ, but when it does come to EQ, Neutron is especially good at unmasking tones and tone matching.
Ozone 10
iZotope Ozone 8 is a comprehensive plugin that offers a lot of features and flexibility. It has a great interface that is easy to use. It also sounds fantastic, with a wide range of frequencies that can be tweaked to your liking.
Ozone is great for making EQ boosts and cuts that respond to the dynamics of your audio:
- Make subtle boosts and cuts that occur only when frequencies are too loud or soft.
- Control threshold, attack, and release along with frequency and gain.
- More precise than a compressor and more subtle than a normal EQ.
Bonus: Mäag Audio EQ4
Created in 2009, the Mäag Audio EQ4's unique design allows for very transparent adjustments, while also enhancing the "airy" frequencies.
What makes this plugin unique is it allows you to boost far above the range of human hearing, which at face value seems pointless, but the result is actually a quite noticeable boost in "air" and presence.
Here are some pros and cons to consider when using the Maag Audio EQ4M plugin:
Pros:
- Provides a unique air band for adding clarity and presence to audio
- Wide frequency range (great for sweetening)
- Smooth, transparent sound quality
- Supports automation and MIDI learn
- Easy to use and intuitive interface
Cons:
- May be more expensive than some other EQ plugins on the market
- Some users may prefer a more flexible EQ plugin with more advanced features
- Not good for surgical adjustments
Overall, the Maag Audio EQ4M plugin is a powerful and easy-to-use EQ tool that is suitable for a wide range of applications.
If you are looking for a high-quality EQ plugin with a unique air band and a smooth, transparent sound, this plugin is definitely worth considering.
However, if you are looking for a more flexible EQ plugin with advanced features, there may be other options that better suit your needs.
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