Been looking for an upgrade for my stock Cubase 5 EQ... downloaded some freebies and demos from Kjaerus, PSP, TRacks, Sonalkis, etc... certainly some very attractive user interfaces out there but I have yet to hear much of a difference between any of these plugins...

Any recs or testimonials as to some of the better EQ and dynamics processing plugins out there? Is there even supposed to be much a difference between plugins?

You're probably comparing all mastering EQs which are, by design, intended to be very accurate and clean sounding. But a Buss channel EQ is going to add its own specific character to the sound -- they all morph frequencies, but each one does it differently.

Mastering EQs are intended to all do it, basically, the same. Some are just more accurate than others. And that will probably be hard to hear.

Try looking into some of the vintage emulations from Waves, URS, Nomad Factory, or Universal Audio. Many expensive EQs, both hardware and software, coming out these days are trying to re-create vintage character.

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So if you can't hear the difference, why the need for external EQ rather than the C5 ones?

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quote:

Originally posted by ClearWater Been looking for an upgrade for my stock Cubase 5 EQ... downloaded some freebies and demos from Kjaerus, PSP, TRacks, Sonalkis, etc... certainly some very attractive user interfaces out there but I have yet to hear much of a difference between any of these plugins...

Wow are you serious?! I personally love Sonalksis' EQ and I've used almost every EQ you just listed. Huge improvement over the EQ in Cubase SX3 which i use. It's not even a contest! Maybe it's possible cubase 5 has really improved their EQ alot?? Hmm....

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quote:

Originally posted by tecnolover Wow are you serious?! I personally love Sonalksis' EQ and I've used almost every EQ you just listed. Huge improvement over the EQ in Cubase SX3 which i use. It's not even a contest! Maybe it's possible cubase 5 has really improved their EQ alot?? Hmm....

yes, you can't compare the sx3 to the c4, c5 eqs. they are much better. the new eq is enough for proper mixing. but if you want some harmonic distortion to get a more analog feel you should look out for some vintage emulations.

SX3 EQ is not C5 EQ, if you have C5 no need for other EQ's

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Yes most digital eqs sound/are the same. They just have different interfaces, different/more curves, better or worse layouts. I have seen tests where people can null the sound using many different popular software eqs such as sonnox, C5, waves etc etc.

Here you go, one of countless articles i have found on this subject:

Here

I shall stick with Cubase 5 then ...

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Originally posted by thecYrus but if you want some harmonic distortion to get a more analog feel you should look out for some vintage emulations.

That is what Sonalksis' EQ does. It emulates analog EQ.

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Yeah sonalksis is supposed to be an analogue emulation, not a mastering style clean EQ. Its still pretty clean, but not clinical like waves or similar ones.

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For mastering I use my SSL Duende X-EQ, the best EQ i own so far. Followed by SONOX and Cubase5

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I haven't heard the C5 but personally I only use Sonalksis, it sounds better & smoother than most others I've tried...