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tarrtime « Great Program EQ »
Published on 02/22/13 at 06:49I received the V-EQ3 as part of the V-Series Bundle, which actually came as part of the Gold Bundle. Installation was simple because I was able to install the entire Gold Bundle at once, and all the plug-ins were ready to go, including the V-EQ3. The plug-in can be purchased as a stand-alone processor. However, I would recommend getting the V-EQ4 to go along with the V-EQ3 because they complement each other really well.
Waves authorization in version 9 plug-ins does not require an iLok. Now any USB stick can be used as a dongle. Or, if you computer connects to the internet, you don't even need a dongle at all. You can just use the Waves Authorization application.
Waves included some decent presets with the V-EQ3. If you are not very familiar with equalization, you might want to at least check out their suggestions. I find that I actually don't need to use more than about 1 dB of boost/cut when I am using the V-EQ3.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I typically use the V-EQ3 on program signals (mix bus, drum bus, sub mixes, etc). For individual tracks, I think the V-EQ3 is better because it has more flexibility and more controls when I need to make more dramatic changes to an individual track. The V-EQ3 is better for program signals because the filter curves are very smooth. The high shelf is amazing for adding in the top-end 'air' on a mix without sounding harsh. Having the 'low-cut' or 'high-pass' filter is also great at the output. I almost always use the V-EQ3 on my mix bus and set the filter to the '45' frequency. This really helps clean up the low end of my mix, and makes sure any 'sub' frequencies aren't dominating my mix during the compression and limiting stage.
Supposedly, Waves modeled some of the 'analog' character (harmonics, color, saturation) in the V-Series plug-ins. I don't think it is very dramatic, especially compared to Waves NLS. The main analog thing I notice is that there is a noise floor based on 'noise' that Waves recorded from the hardware. This can be turned on and off.
OVERALL OPINION
The Waves V-EQ3 is an equalizer plug-in that models the Neve 1066 and 1073 modules. It has a high pass filter, a low shelf, a mid-range bell filter, and a high shelf. The original Neve hardware is known for having ultra smooth filter curves and for adding warmth to an input signal. The Waves modeled version resembles these characteristic, especially compared to other digital equalizers (Q10, Ren Eq, etc) that were meant to be super clean and capable of sharp filter resonances. I have never had the opportunity to use the real hardware, so I am can't make any comparisons between hardware and software. All I can say is that the V-EQ3 sounds different than a typical plug-in EQ, and in my opinion, it sounds better than a typical plug-in EQ.
Waves authorization in version 9 plug-ins does not require an iLok. Now any USB stick can be used as a dongle. Or, if you computer connects to the internet, you don't even need a dongle at all. You can just use the Waves Authorization application.
Waves included some decent presets with the V-EQ3. If you are not very familiar with equalization, you might want to at least check out their suggestions. I find that I actually don't need to use more than about 1 dB of boost/cut when I am using the V-EQ3.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I typically use the V-EQ3 on program signals (mix bus, drum bus, sub mixes, etc). For individual tracks, I think the V-EQ3 is better because it has more flexibility and more controls when I need to make more dramatic changes to an individual track. The V-EQ3 is better for program signals because the filter curves are very smooth. The high shelf is amazing for adding in the top-end 'air' on a mix without sounding harsh. Having the 'low-cut' or 'high-pass' filter is also great at the output. I almost always use the V-EQ3 on my mix bus and set the filter to the '45' frequency. This really helps clean up the low end of my mix, and makes sure any 'sub' frequencies aren't dominating my mix during the compression and limiting stage.
Supposedly, Waves modeled some of the 'analog' character (harmonics, color, saturation) in the V-Series plug-ins. I don't think it is very dramatic, especially compared to Waves NLS. The main analog thing I notice is that there is a noise floor based on 'noise' that Waves recorded from the hardware. This can be turned on and off.
OVERALL OPINION
The Waves V-EQ3 is an equalizer plug-in that models the Neve 1066 and 1073 modules. It has a high pass filter, a low shelf, a mid-range bell filter, and a high shelf. The original Neve hardware is known for having ultra smooth filter curves and for adding warmth to an input signal. The Waves modeled version resembles these characteristic, especially compared to other digital equalizers (Q10, Ren Eq, etc) that were meant to be super clean and capable of sharp filter resonances. I have never had the opportunity to use the real hardware, so I am can't make any comparisons between hardware and software. All I can say is that the V-EQ3 sounds different than a typical plug-in EQ, and in my opinion, it sounds better than a typical plug-in EQ.