Anyone bothered with this yet (AirEQ)?

[Frippertronix]

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/2309.html

The demo seems like a bit of a pain---Synchrosoft key required (which I have), but you have to update the license utility and then request and register the demo.

If anyone wants to be the advance party on this one, let us know if it was worth it.

[Assi]

Hello there,

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/2309.html

The demo seems like a bit of a pain---Synchrosoft key required (which I have), but you have to update the license utility and then request and register the demo.

They make it sound like you have to but i didn't do. The Licence utility has to update its database but does it all on its own. No need to install a complete new version. (Mine ist definitely a somehat older version)

The link to the demo is sent in the key mail.

If anyone wants to be the advance party on this one, let us know if it was worth it.

Well, i'd say no. Too me this not a good EQ, it sounds metallic. But I don't know. I don't want to make that decision for you. Different people different tastes. On the hand its pretty effective regarding resources used. U can probably load quite a few instances. But personally I wouldn't spend anything near the 200 for this that's sure.

[Frippertronix]

Thanks! I already have a somewhat (but in a good way) metallic EQ (WWAYM NWEQ Pro) so this probably wouldn't help me much. Plus, the NWEQ is $40 so...

They also say it's ergonomic, but I can't understand why an interface only with knobs, no paragraphic interface, and not even a graph (!) is ergonomic. Seems overhyped to me.

[bduffy]

I have to say I've been spending some time with this plugin, and I think it's one of the very best-sounding VST EQ's I've heard. I'm no Bob Katz, but I think that their promise of a very "musical" plugin is well deserved. I found the sound silky and smooth, kind of like the URS plugins, but with a little more personality. I sure wouldn't say "metallic" (sure you're not being influenced by the GUI?), but like Assi said: tastes are very different.

Oh, another thing: it's awesome on CPU, barely registers. This isn't a boutique EQ you can only use offline or for mastering! It's designed to be used for multitracking, another thing I appreciated right away. I inserted about 20 of these in Cubase and was only at about 20% CPU.

If you have a Syncrosoft dongle, I urge you to try it. You do get a full 30 days with it, fully functional. I've talked to the dev a bit and he promises a dongle-less demo and he's a really nice guy. (I'm not crazy about the "request a code" idea either, I think I'll mention it to him). But I really like this plugin, and I don't think I'm going to be able to part with it when my time is up.

[living sounds]

How does it compare to Hydratone? Is there a difference working at 96k?

[bduffy]

Hmmm...that's a tough and subjective comparison. Maybe...softer than Hydratone? I'm tempted to say halfway between URS and Hydratone, sound-wise. Clean and clear, but definitely adding something special during boosting, and I could make nice low cuts with it that didn't hollow out the sound.

I don't work at 96k, so I haven't had a chance to try it that yet. If you have Cubase or a Syncrosoft dongle, you should check it out. I just really liked how it sounded with my music and I do like coloured, but smooth EQ's. They can keep their Linear Phase.

[Eiosis]

They also say it's ergonomic, but I can't understand why an interface only with knobs, no paragraphic interface, and not even a graph (!) is ergonomic. Seems overhyped to me.

Thanks for your reactions and comments about AirEQ,
it's very important for us to hear observations and critics from users.

We chose not to implement a graphical display of the EQ curve for several reasons,
and we will explain soon these choices in detail on our website in a faq about AirEQ.

For the graph, here is briefly my thoughts :

- I prefer trusting my ears than searching for a good-looking equalization curve on my screen.
I always found that during my mixing sessions, I obtained better results when I was not using any equalization graph display at all.

- Using knobs allowed us to develop several features, which are very useful while mixing :
max gain on alt-click, value snaps, different tuning precisions, etc.. that cannot be easily implemented and used with a paragraphic interface.

- With a paragraphic interface, I think it's very difficult to obtain "musical" variations of the parameters when you search for the right equalization of a track.
With AirEQ, equalization parameters are tuned in a very special, and, I hope, musical way. I find the result to be more ergonomic and more suitable to many mixing situations.

I agree that using a paragraphic interface or not is also a matter of taste.

Don't hesitate to give us more feedback about AirEQ !

Fabrice,
Eliosound

[bduffy]

- With a paragraphic interface, I think it's very difficult to obtain "musical" variations of the parameters when you search for the right equalization of a track.

I have a question about this: either with a visual or a knob interface, don't you just pick a frequency and go? What is the musical difference between sweeping with the visual or a knob? Is it becuase you often mistakingly change your db gain when dragging on a GUI?

Just wondering.

[Eiosis]

I have a question about this: either with a visual or a knob interface, don't you just pick a frequency and go ? What is the musical difference between sweeping with the visual or a knob? Is it becuase you often mistakingly change your db gain when dragging on a GUI?

In fact, on paragraphic EQs, and on many other EQs, when you sweep a parameter, you change equalization values according to, let's say, mathematical units. For example, when you add 1 dB to the gain parameter, you add 1 dB to the top of your equalization curve, whatever your original gain or filter Q is. Mathematical.

The AirEQ's approach is slightly different, because we wanted to tune the different parameters in a more "musical" way, let's say, according to musical units. When you add 1 dB to your gain parameter, you want to "hear" the same "1dB sensation" of boost, whatever your original gain or filter Q is. Musical.

It means that some of the AirEQ's parameters have not a linear tuning, but used with knobs it's very convenient, you just hear that it's more natural and musical, in any case we hope that AirEQ will be appreciated like a "musical tool".
With a visual interface, it is difficult, and maybe not very convenient, to develop and to use such non-linear parameter tuning.

I hope this helps !

Fabrice,
Eliosound

[Assi]

...kind of like the URS plugins, but with a little more personality. I sure wouldn't say "metallic" (sure you're not being influenced by the GUI?), but like Assi said: tastes are very different...

Well, you know what, when i saw the gui the plug reminded me of Avalon Designs' stuff. So i certainly had some expectations..

You already said it. People are different and maybe i'm just a fool who doesn't have a clue how to dial in that EQ correctly.....

So everybody who's looking for an effective EQ that colors tone and want to be able to use it alot across different strips should check this thing out and decide for themselves.

In no way i wanted to bash a developer's first product who also seems to be very responsive to his customers. It is just my personal view.

[bduffy]

I have a question about this: either with a visual or a knob interface, don't you just pick a frequency and go ? What is the musical difference between sweeping with the visual or a knob? Is it becuase you often mistakingly change your db gain when dragging on a GUI?

In fact, on paragraphic EQs, and on many other EQs, when you sweep a parameter, you change equalization values according to, let's say, mathematical units. For example, when you add 1 dB to the gain parameter, you add 1 dB to the top of your equalization curve, whatever your original gain or filter Q may be. Mathematical.

The AirEQ approach is slightly different, because we wanted to tune the different parameters in a more "musical" way, let's say, according to musical units. When you add 1 dB to your gain parameter, you want to "hear" the same "1dB sensation" of boost, whatever your original gain or filter Q may be. Musical.

It means that some of the AirEQ parameters have not a linear tuning, but used with knobs it's very convenient, you just hear that it's more natural and musical, in any case we hope that AirEQ will be appreciated like a "musical tool".
With a visual interface, it is difficult, and maybe not very convenient, to develop and to use such non-linear parameter tuning.

I hope this helps !

Fabrice,
Eliosound

Yes, I think I understand. I just wanted to get some background on the 'musical' idea. And I do find it musical, I assure you.

[Eiosis]

You already said it. People are different and maybe i'm just a fool who doesn't have a clue how to dial in that EQ correctly.....
In no way i wanted to bash a developer's first product who also seems to be very responsive to his customers. It is just my personal view.

Well, I think that equalization is probably the audio processing which mostly depends on different tastes.

So I don't think that anybody could say that someone is a fool because he does not like a certain equalization sound !

So don't hesitate to contact me so we can discuss about you feelings concerning the sound, and see why it sounds good for you in some cases or not good in other cases, on which type of track, etc..

We love congratulations (and we need it too to not fall into depression ), but we also need some critics to constantly improve our products. I think it's very important to carefully listen to people comments and critics, even if it's sometimes hard to hear, it always helps to make things better.

I do that for my songs, so why not for our products ?

Fabrice,
Eliosound

[Frippertronix]

Fabrice, just curius. Where are you based?

[Antress]

Next way...Air Compressor？

[Left Headphone]

It sounds pretty good to me. Not metallic at all. I can't afford it, but it sounds good...