Yikes....good question.

I can't say I'd recommend any of the ones you mentioned. I do like the "free" ones included with Samplitude/Sequoia. They're surprisingly free of color even when pushed and they resist "build-up" when used on multiple channels.

As for "inexpensive" EQ plugs...I don't know how this fares, but I really like the Pultec Pro in the UAD-1 bundle.

I know...this CERTAINLY ain't free and most would say it isn't cheap. BUT...here's my rationale. If you buy the "flexi-pack" you'll pay something like $600 (a steep admission price, I know)...but you'll get a voucher for $500 worth of plugs! The Pultec Pro is only $79, the Precision EQ is in the $150 range and the Cambridge is also. These are 3 of the finest digital or plug-in EQs I've heard shy of the Weiss units (and I would count them equally as high as the MEGA buck Algorithmix stuff....maybe just a shade off - but certainly not $1000 off per EQ!)

http://www.ddmf.eu/

Thanks, Jeremy. I'll keep those in mind for another time. Pultec Pro is available online a la carte for $60, but not in a format I can work with.

"DDMF equalizers are among the finest on this planet."

Hmm. I'd like this substantiated. Thanks for the link, IIRS. Based on the 2-minute testdrive I just gave these I might actually prefer the IIEQ Free to the Pro, but whether I like these better than anything I have will have to wait until I can crank my speakers.

I would love to be able to comment on the Liquid mix sounds, but since I can't get it to talk to my PC its going back. However I can comment on the Nuendo 3.0. I never use the EQ in it. Never, it always makes me twitch when I stack up tracks.
I don't seem to mind the Q program that comes with steinberg though.

I've been previewing EQs over the past few days and I'd like some opinions on these:

From DDMF.eu: [="http://www.ddmf.eu/plugins/IIEQalt.dll"]IIEQ Free[/]="http://www.ddmf.eu/…"]IIEQ Free[/] [alternative design] and [[url=http://="http://www.ddmf.eu/…"]IIEQ Pro demo[/]="http://www.ddmf.eu/…"]IIEQ Pro demo[/]

These are both just .dll files, so move them to your plug-ins directory. The Pro (read: paid) version may just as well be free since the developer decided to go Radiohead with it. Although both use remarkably low CPU, the interface on this free version is more playful and seems to respond quicker, so I'd like to know whether there's a noteworthy difference between the two.

;)
;)
;)
;)

Installation of these is a little more lengthy and invasive, but it seems pretty innocuous. I'd really appreciate input. The CPU usage is crazy, averaging between 16 and 24 percent on my machine. I liked the sound of all three of these and particularly enjoyed the HydraTone.

patrick_like_static wrote: I'd like to know whether there's a noteworthy difference between the two.

The free IIEQ provides a pair of high and low shelving filters plus 8 peaks. The pro version also has 10 bands, but the filter type can be switched per band, with a choice of high and low shelves, 12 or 24 db/oct high and low pass filters, 'analog' or 'digital' peaks, bandpass, notch or all-pass filters.

Don't forget to also try his LP10 plug, which allows the phase of each filter to be continously adjusted from minimum to linear to inverse minimum..

Thanks, IIRS. I should have clarified that I'm interested in sonic differences. I previewed all the plugs from this developer's site, but it was only these I had questions about.

As far as I know the free and pro versions of IIEQ both use the same algorithms. The pro version is simply more flexible. I could be wrong of course.

Patrick -

I tried the free version today (finally - sorry for the delay). I would have tried the "pro" version but I don't have winrar on my audio PC, so no go there.

The free version seemed quite nice. It's more of a transparent EQ which is similar to those included in most DAWs. When put into the signal, it makes no impact on the sound (unlike the Pultec Pro or other similar EQs on the market). Only once knobs were fiddled with did anything change.

I found the Q on the unit to be accurate as were the frequency points. Of course, I would have serious issue with any plugin that didn't get these right since they're simple equations and numbers respectively.

In regards to CPU consumption, they were below average (this being a positive thing). I was able to put 32 EQs on without even getting my CPU to 25%. I stopped there since I figured that was beyond the realms of sanity for EQs on a track anyway.

In all - it's a superb little free device which I won't be deleting off of my DAW any time soon.

Hope this helps -

Jeremy

Cucco wrote: Hope this helps

More than you realize. Thanks for taking the time to review it.

ElectriQ - http://www.aixcoustic.com/

The linear phase, s-plane filters sound better than most any linear phase EQ. I would say it is as good as much more expensive EQ plugins that shall remain nameless, and far more flexible with many filter types to choose from on a node by node basis. It is better than DDMF's EQs, which are okay, but aren't the best either. And of course, with multiple filter types, you aren't limited to linear phase. Even the digital EQ in high quality mode sounds better than Cambridge, and many other respectable digital EQs - in eco mode, it's pretty much the same as Cambridge, etc.

It does use a little cpu power in linear phase (less in Analog or Digital HQ), but if you need a clear, smooth EQ, it's worth it. It has a bug with Nuendo/Cubase 4 though making it unusable until fixed. It is fine in N3 and Samplitude/Sequoia though.

I'll check this out. I have one of the EQs you mention, so I can get a pretty good comparison going on.

Considering the price, if it's that good I'll gladly pick it up.

Cucco - let me know what you think - I'm interested in other discerning opinions vs. high end EQs. I did an A/B with quite a few respected EQs a while back, and the results were interesting. Drop me an email or pm.

I'd like to hear the results of this if you two don't mind discussing your findings publicly.

Sure - no problem.

Although, I got in SERIOUS trouble from another company (one mentioned in this post) when I compared their product to one similar where the one similar cost (quite literally) over 50X less and did essentially the same thing. There were even hintings at a law suit. After I provided my attorney's name and contact info, things got smoothed over. Interestingly, I never got an invoice from my attorney, so I think they were blowing hot air...

I like the Voxengo EssEq. It's graphic and has only 7 bands, but I like the low CPU usage and the very transparent sound.

http://www.voxengo.com/product/esseq/

They also have another nice free one that adds some coloration, but it's really nice.

http://www.voxengo.com/product/overtonegeq/

I just tried out some of the other Eq's mentioned in this thread, and they are amazing! Thanks! :)

shameless plug: [[url=http://[/URL]="http://platinumears…"]IQ4 - dynamic EQ[/]="http://platinumears…"]IQ4 - dynamic EQ[/]

PC only, sorry (made with Synthedit)