MAAT EQ users: What makes them worth it?

[Mind Riot]

These are very expensive EQ plugs. Actually, I think they are the most expensive EQs I have ever come across. Something like the blue EQ is almost $400 for it's maxed out 12 band version, and other EQs on their site run from the mid $100-$200 level up to above the $200 to $300 mark.

Their custom architectures are an intriguing idea and I'm curious if they could be audible in the context of a mix. I may demo one and see for myself.

Are there any MAAT EQ users around these parts that can offer some insight into what makes these plugs special and worth the investment? Personally, I have no problem paying some pretty sizable coin on an EQ if it really is something special, not just a pretty GUI, so I'd really like to know people's experience, good or bad.

Thanks for any insight you can offer, you fine gentlemen!

[PatchAdamz]

These were first released a very long time ago.
Since then, a plethora of good EQs have been released.
I have a couple of these, and use them sometimes.
I also use many other EQs, depending on the track and whats required.

It would be interesting to hear them compared to other EQs.

I have put them back to back on tracks with other, much less expensive EQs, and used the less expensive EQ, since it sounded better for the track.

Just goes to show you, a higher price doesn't always make something better.

[Mind Riot]

These were first released a very long time ago.
Since then, a plethora of good EQs have been released.
I have a couple of these, and use them sometimes.
I also use many other EQs, depending on the track and whats required.

It would be interesting to hear them compared to other EQs.

I have put them back to back on tracks with other, much less expensive EQs, and used the less expensive EQ, since it sounded better for the track.

Just goes to show you, a higher price doesn't always make something better.

That was kind of what I figured. That, like Sonnox, they're high quality professional level tools that came out before the glut of affordable professional quality tools we're swimming in now.

[bmanic]

They used to be a lot more expensive back in the day. The only thing "special" about them was/is that they use super long kernel sizes for the linear phase filters, meaning huge latency but very precise and tight response (transient response also being tight due to some clever filter coding).

MAAT just redistributes the old Algorithmix code in a "new skin".

The old plugins cost over 1000 euros each when they were at their peak. So yeah, even at today's prices these are "a bargain" for some people.

DMG Audio EQuilibrium is in my opinion a far superior product if you absolutely must have high resolution linear phase EQ. You can set the kernel size to over 100k (resulting in a ridiculously long latency of several seconds in length) which gets you precision down into the very low sub range if need be. Granted, that plugin isn't cheap either.

Best middle of the road is the Kirchhoff EQ which will soon be released through Plugin Alliance, which means you'll probably be able to get it for next to nothing.

[pixel85]

MAAT is a company for "audiophile" kind of people. This is the reason for the price. Us mortals can't hear those amazing details that makes those plugins worth the price.

Once I was looking on internet to find info about their esoteric (kinda tinfoil hat type of plugin) noise generator that "makes people enjoy your music more". I found mainly creepy videos made by some old dudes lol. It put me off completely.
If this is your type of crowd, go for it Otherwise you'll be more than fine with other EQ plugins.
The fact that they were using "the secret research that cannot be published" as the source of confirmation that it works, didn't helped either.

If you want best of the best, you can go with EQuilibrium, Fabfilter Pro-Q or Kirchhoff which are best in its league and are used successfully by tons of professionals every day.

[Mind Riot]

MAAT is a company for "audiophile" kind of people. This is the reason for the price. Us mortals can't hear those amazing details that makes those plugins worth the price.

I've found them to aid in releasing the cramped, pregnant midrange associated with the limitations of current digital media, as well as emboldening the dispersal of high end molecules giving a real fourth dimensional sense of resonant vibrational response which clears the air in front of the low end woofer cones of cluttering waves at other frequencies which allows superior sonic reach in reproducing saucy, litigious bass.

Audiophiles crack me up. An entire industry based on nothing but complete and total bullshit.

If you want best of the best, you can go with EQuilibrium, Fabfilter Pro-Q or Kirchhoff which are best in its league and are used successfully by tons of professionals every day.

I've been an EQuality user for about ten years now; it's a superb tool. The Kirchhoff EQ looks interesting, but the DMG Audio stuff has something special going on.

[Mind Riot]

They used to be a lot more expensive back in the day. The only thing "special" about them was/is that they use super long kernel sizes for the linear phase filters, meaning huge latency but very precise and tight response (transient response also being tight due to some clever filter coding).

MAAT just redistributes the old Algorithmix code in a "new skin".

The old plugins cost over 1000 euros each when they were at their peak. So yeah, even at today's prices these are "a bargain" for some people.

DMG Audio EQuilibrium is in my opinion a far superior product if you absolutely must have high resolution linear phase EQ. You can set the kernel size to over 100k (resulting in a ridiculously long latency of several seconds in length) which gets you precision down into the very low sub range if need be. Granted, that plugin isn't cheap either.

Best middle of the road is the Kirchhoff EQ which will soon be released through Plugin Alliance, which means you'll probably be able to get it for next to nothing.

Interesting, thanks for your insights!

I'm a bit scared of EQuilibrium due to the stories of endless settings, and it's price. I've been using its little brother EQuality for the last decade and it's a fantastic EQ.

I'm curious about this Kirchhoff EQ, haven't heard too much about it but I'd like to know more.

There's also a crazy advanced EQ being built on the Reaper forums for Reaper users that keeps getting more and more refined with more and more features. It was pretty dang advanced last time I looked, and that was months ago. Who knows where it is now.

Ah, the Reaper forums. Where you go worrying about a problem that seems intractable and you find out somebody has already made a solution to your problem and 98% of the time it's free. Only if you're a Reaper user, of course.

[JerGoertz]

I've found them to aid in releasing the cramped, pregnant midrange associated with the limitations of current digital media, as well as emboldening the dispersal of high end molecules giving a real fourth dimensional sense of resonant vibrational response which clears the air in front of the low end woofer cones of cluttering waves at other frequencies which allows superior sonic reach in reproducing saucy, litigious bass.

Really enthusiastic about the litigious bass myself, as well.

[Mind Riot]

Really enthusiastic about the litigious bass myself, as well.

Your enthusiasm will not help you in court!

[worldfever]

slightly off topic, anyone using that MAAT psychoacoustics processor? lol

maat fidef or soemthing

[pixel85]

slightly off topic, anyone using that MAAT psychoacoustics processor? lol

maat fidef or something

Yes. After a few trials, I got an email from Scientologists saying that they were confirming my application. Now I'm playing the main role next to Tom Cruise in his next movie. Even Nigerian Prince is using it in his emails. Best plugin evah!

[worldfever]

slightly off topic, anyone using that MAAT psychoacoustics processor? lol

maat fidef or something

Yes. After a few trials, I got an email from Scientologists saying that they were confirming my application. Now I'm playing the main role next to Tom Cruise in his next movie. Even Nigerian Prince is using it in his emails. Best plugin evah!

thank you for your review. sounds promising!

[soulone82]

Maat is such a scum company. They don't deserve your hard earned cash!

[christian f.]

I've bought thEQblue with the intention to use it as my main EQ. That never happened. It sounds very good and is very deep, but I just don't click with it and therefore rarely use it.
The better your room and monitoring, the better you'll be able to hear it's qualities.
The plugins are expensive, but I wouldn't call them a scam.

[martinjuenke]

Question: What makes them worth it?
Answer: Nothing!