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tarrtime « Low-CPU Eq »
Published on 12/07/12 at 11:59The Waves Q10 Equalizer is a software plug-in that can be used inside a DAW. The software is easy to download and install from the Waves website. Authorization can be completed using an iLok or any USB memory stick or with the Waves Authorization application if you computer is connected to the internet.
It is very easy to get started with this plug-in if you have any intuition about equalization. Different eq modes are available - shelving, band pass/stop, high/low pass. The 'gain' setting makes the amplitude of that filter louder or quieter. 'Freq' changes the frequency of the filter. The 'Q' setting controls the slope of the filter curves to broaden or narrow the frequency response.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
The Q10 is meant to be a digital equalizer. If you want a modeled version of an analog equalizer, Waves has plenty of other products to look at. If you really need to do some precise, 'surgical' equalization, Q10 is the way to go. I own the Waves SSL bundle and the Neve (V-Series) bundle, but they don't offer the same precision as the Q10.
For me, the utility of the Q10 is for 'subtractive' equalization. I almost always load Q10 in my first plug-in slot to find any 'harsh' frequency regions in my recorded signal. Using a relatively narrow 'Q' setting, I pull these problem frequencies out. I think it is also a good idea to take out any low frequencies below 30 Hz from my signal using the Q10. Later on in the signal chain, I will use the SSL EQ to boost some mid-range frequencies with a broad 'Q' setting, and the Neve EQ to boost some top-end.
OVERALL OPINION
The Q10 equalizer has been around a long time. The best part of the plug-in is that it has a low CPU demand. If you aren't very experienced with eq'ing audio, the included presets are a good place to start. It is great to have some analog modeled eq's in your arsenal, but it is also essential to have a digital eq available whenever you are trying to avoid adding analog 'color' to a recording. Q10 is a great choice in this category. The H-Eq from Waves is another option because it gives you the option of both digital filters, and analog modeled filters.
It is very easy to get started with this plug-in if you have any intuition about equalization. Different eq modes are available - shelving, band pass/stop, high/low pass. The 'gain' setting makes the amplitude of that filter louder or quieter. 'Freq' changes the frequency of the filter. The 'Q' setting controls the slope of the filter curves to broaden or narrow the frequency response.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
The Q10 is meant to be a digital equalizer. If you want a modeled version of an analog equalizer, Waves has plenty of other products to look at. If you really need to do some precise, 'surgical' equalization, Q10 is the way to go. I own the Waves SSL bundle and the Neve (V-Series) bundle, but they don't offer the same precision as the Q10.
For me, the utility of the Q10 is for 'subtractive' equalization. I almost always load Q10 in my first plug-in slot to find any 'harsh' frequency regions in my recorded signal. Using a relatively narrow 'Q' setting, I pull these problem frequencies out. I think it is also a good idea to take out any low frequencies below 30 Hz from my signal using the Q10. Later on in the signal chain, I will use the SSL EQ to boost some mid-range frequencies with a broad 'Q' setting, and the Neve EQ to boost some top-end.
OVERALL OPINION
The Q10 equalizer has been around a long time. The best part of the plug-in is that it has a low CPU demand. If you aren't very experienced with eq'ing audio, the included presets are a good place to start. It is great to have some analog modeled eq's in your arsenal, but it is also essential to have a digital eq available whenever you are trying to avoid adding analog 'color' to a recording. Q10 is a great choice in this category. The H-Eq from Waves is another option because it gives you the option of both digital filters, and analog modeled filters.