Waves V-EQ 4

The Waves V-EQ4 is simple to use. If you aren't familiar with how to eq different instruments, just pull up one of the included presets. Waves does a great job of including presets that are usable with minor tweaks. This equalizer is also very easy to use because their aren't too many controls to worry about. There are only a limited number of frequencies to choose, and for the most part you don't have to worry about how wide/narrow/sharp/flat to make the eq curves. I love the high pass and low pass filters to clean up whatever signal I am sending through it. This is great if I want to take out low end on guitar tracks to make space for bass guitar and kick drum. Or conversely, take out the high end on a guitar track to make room for cymbals, etc.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The Waves V-EQ4 is part of the V-series which models Neve hardware. The Waves V-EQ3 is a similar plug-in but has different features. In practice, I prefer to use the V-EQ4 on individual channels, while using the 3 band eq on sub/bus mixes. The 4 band eq definitely has great controls and allows for more 'surgical' equalization. This is better for individual tracks. The 3 band eq is ultra smooth and adds a nice touch to program material like on the final mix bus.
All of these plug-ins in the V-series are supposed to add some 'analog' color to the signal besides just change the frequency response of the signal. To some extent, it is a little difficult to tell if Waves just modeled the analog noise, or if they included some other kinds of analog saturation with these plug-ins. Waves modeling has come a long way since these plug-ins were released. I really hope they go back and model these things again to update the V-series with more analog saturation (ala NLS, REDD).

OVERALL OPINION

The Waves V-EQ4 is modeled after the Neve 1081 console equalizer. I have never had the opportunity to use the actual hardware, but I can still appreciate the Waves model. This eq is very versatile with the options of high-pass and low-pass filters, high and low shelfs (these can also be changed to bell shaped filters), and mid-range boost and cut bell filters. The filter 'q' can be changed from narrow to broad for the mid-range controls.
Overall, what makes this equalizer useful is how smooth it sounds. It it especially useful for boosting high frequencies without sounding harsh. Low frequencies also sound smooth and round when boosting. Unlike some digital equalizers, boosting frequencies by a lot will not produce typical filter 'ringing' that is common among other eq's when you boost above 10 dB.

This is very similar to the V-EQ3 that Waves also has. The main difference between this and the V-EQ3 is that this has an extra band. This plugin is actually modeled after the famous 1081 EQ. Waves set out to create a plugin that has the precision of a virtual/software EQ but has that famous vintage sound that so many people go after. The plugin has features such as LP filter frequency adjustments, HP filter frequency adjustments, on/off button, phase reverse button, LF filter frequency adjustment, LF filter gain, LF filter type, Bell filter frequency, LMF bell filter gain, LMF HiQ on/off, HMF bell frequency adjustments, HF frequency adjustments, analog on/off, output adjustments, train output gain adjustment and more. To use this plugin, you simply enable it on whatever buss you want to use it on. I've never read the manual, but the plugin is fairly simple to use and figure out if you've used EQs before. If not, turning knobs will probably get results quicker than reading the manual.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Waves is pretty famous when it comes to both compatibility and stability. For one, these plugins are rock solid. I've never experienced any problems using these. There have never been any freezes, glitches or anything bizarre going on, even with a fairly heavy usage of other VSTs in the DAW. This is also cross platform compatible, so anybody on an Apple or Windows computer can easily use this without any problems. There is one problem, however. In OS X, this plugin is 32 bit only. That means that your DAW needs to enable a special bridge application if you want to use your environment in 64 bit while utilizing these 32 bit plugins. It's does it automatically, but I'd like to see the next revision be a 64 bit plugin if possible. I've been using the Mercury bundle for half a year now, and it's been a wonderful experience.

OVERALL OPINION

I find myself using this more than the V-EQ3 for whatever reason. I think that extra band tends to give me some more versatility. However, I don't use this plugin quite as much as other plugins out there. It's definitely a solid plugin, and it gives you a great sound. However, I usually just find myself using the stock Logic EQ as it's so versatile and clear sounding. It all depends on what you're going for in terms of tone. If you're after that more vintage sound, this could be exactly what you're looking for.

The Waves Ltd. VEQ4 is a ‘vintage’ equalizer plug-in that is modeled after the classic Neve 1081 EQ’s make up. This plug-in can be had a few ways, but it’s mostly associated with the Vintage bundle from Waves that has three plug-ins in the same vein as this one, including the V-EQ3. Being modeled after the 1081, this has more in depth control than most other Neve EQ’s would, including the 1073 which the V-EQ3 is modeled after. There are five bands to work with here, including a dual high/low pass filter. The high/low pass filter has a series of frequencies to choose from on both ends, as well as a dual layered gain knob, while the other four bands have the same make up more or less. The difference with the high and low frequency bands is that you get a bandwidth button. There’s also an overall output knob as well as EQ, phase, and an ‘analog’ button. I haven’t had a gander at the manual for this plug-in…



SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Currently I’ve got the Waves Ltd. VEQ4 plug-in running on my system at home but have also used it on the systems at the studio where I work. My home studio consists of a Mac Book Pro lap top with 4 GB of RAM and a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which also runs Pro Tools 9 for me. I can run a number of instances of this plug-in quite comfortably on this system…


OVERALL OPINION

The Waves Ltd. VEQ4 is definitely one of my favorite EQ plug-ins to use as it brings the best of both worlds here when it comes to plug-ins. It’s not going to match the warm, analog sound of a real Neve 1081, but it’s the closest you’re going to get when it comes to a plug-in. I love the configuration here but the sound is really what makes it worthwhile. It’s perfect for EQing of all kinds inside the box, as it’s brother plug-in the V-EQ3 which is also very effective and included in the same bundle. This is one of the best plug-in EQ’s out there and definitely one you need to know about if you’re working inside the box.