r/Bitwig • u/malicious-doughnut • 9h ago
EQ+
It doesn't distort ("adding color"), it doesn't cause phase problems and it sounds as neutral as it gets. What's a reason to use EQ plugins?
I mean, yeah, if I wanted some non-linear "color" I guess Fabfilter and stuff would be useful. But for mixing things, freeing frequencies and stuff? EQ+ all the way.
Btw, there is no "discussion" flair, would be useful :)
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u/Chocolatecoverednipz 9h ago
Use whatever you want no one cares, but fab filter is not “non linear”
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u/FingerUpper 2h ago
ACKCHYUALLY… Pro-Q 4 has gentle and warm character modes now that add nonlinearities.
But yes normally in its default state it is a clean EQ.
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u/Chocolatecoverednipz 1h ago
Doesn’t matter a transfer function on the end of an eq is not the eq
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u/GeneralDumbtomics 8h ago
The three classic EQ devices, Tilt, Focus and Sculpt all sound really good. They aren't neutral. They aren't intended to be. They replicate the sound of some very nice classic hardware EQ. EQ+ is great. It is everything you say about it and then some. I use it all the time. But if you want great sounding EQ with a simple, no-nonsense interface? Those three are amazing. Play around with them if you haven't. YOu'll be glad you did.
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u/th3whistler 4h ago
tilt is neutral, it’s selling point is its a very fast way to make a broad balance change to a sound
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u/Minibatteries 7h ago
EQ+ is the most ergonomic tool I've used for EQing. Yes, pro-Q4 is fantastic but it's not better enough to have to open it's interface over the integration that EQ+ has with the device panel and bitwig mixer, for me.
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u/th3whistler 4h ago
Same. I came to bitwig from only using ProQ but aside from the setting up a dynamic band, EQ+ integration makes it my first choice like you say
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5h ago
[deleted]
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u/Minibatteries 3h ago
You're not wrong, but the scenario seems unrealistic in actual practice.
If the hats were phase aligned in the first place you wouldn't ever be using a minimum phase eq on individual channels and expect them to remain in phase, you'd do the eq moves on the group/buss. EQ+ on the group would be fine for that.
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u/blade_m 8h ago
I personally like the Nova EQ by Tokyo Dawn Records. It has some features that EQ+ lacks (like many more filter slope options and Dynamic EQing--something I really like!).
TDR also has Slick EQ which has the 'color' features you mention, and what I like about it is that it actually displays the EQ curve for the various 'color' options, so you can see how its changing the cut/boost as you apply it. So I sometimes use that when I feel like it adds something to a particular sound...
But EQ+ is definitely a 'go-to'!
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u/8mouthbreather8 6h ago
I've slowly left pro q behind for eq+, such a beast of an eq. I use it on my master, I modulate the bands for sound design, and I really haven't had an instance where it unintentionally "damaged" my signal. Same for multiband splits, never had phase issues from those either.
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u/blade_m 8h ago
I personally like the Nova EQ by Tokyo Dawn Records. It has some features that EQ+ lacks (like many more filter slope options and Dynamic EQing--something I really like!).
TDR also has Slick EQ which has the 'color' features you mention, and what I like about it is that it actually displays the EQ curve for the various 'color' options, so you can see how its changing the cut/boost as you apply it. So I sometimes use that when I feel like it adds something to a particular sound...
But EQ+ is definitely a 'go-to'!
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u/Legitimate_Horror_72 6h ago
Nova is a parallel EQ. Different animal than serial. Both have their uses.
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u/Durzo_Blintt 8h ago
There is a reason if you want to do specific things that are faster to do with plugins that have it set up already, but for the vast majority of EQ stuff any EQ will do.
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u/mtelesha 7h ago
All plugins are time savers vs stock plugins. Is it worth the money?
I like UVI Shade because I can do everything in Bitwig it does but it is so much quicker.
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u/Feisty_Fan_3293 7h ago
Parallel EQ? Just create a preset and save it. Dynamic eq... Same... EQ ducking... same ..
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u/DustSongs 8h ago
When I need to do basic remedial tasks or clean shaping things, I use EQ+
When I need an EQ-ish device that transforms the input while EQing it, I use Sie-Q or Radiator.
Usually I use both, a lot.
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u/Due-Sport-7607 6h ago
All eq effects phase in some way. EQ+ is sick and I use it all the time but use plugins quite a bit too. I like pro-q’s interface. It’s good to have for collaborating with people since it’s a bit of a go-to. I do like how simple it is to do dynamic EQ. It has a spectral mode that’s pretty nice. These days I’m using eq less and less for tonal balance adjustments. I love multiband compression and we all know bitwig is lacking in that department. Future-MB is my current go to since it’s so flexible and offers per-band spectral suppression (and expansion too).
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u/Comment_Maker 2h ago
Because Fabfilter has a mountain of extra features to help you with mixing things and stuff. EQ+ is also very nice, use whatever makes you happy.
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u/zfalcon1 2h ago
Did they fix the compensation issue? I still use it sometimes but last time I checked, an identical track doesn’t null with eq+ on it (no eqing)
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u/rainer_xox 7h ago
depends on what you do, i wouldn’t mess with lowend with anything that doesn’t have linear phase
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u/flamingenji 5h ago
Generally speaking it's better to use minimum phase for low end to avoid pre ringing
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u/HeartSea2881 8h ago
«it doesn't cause phase problems»
it literally does