PA releases Mäag EQ4 MS. Opinions?

[Dust_NL]

Hi all,

PA just released their Mäag EQ4 MS plugin:
https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/prod ... q4_ms.html

It’s modeled after the HW version (EQ4 M) and is a different version of their existing EQ4 plugin with several additional features:

- Separate L/R processing OR M/S processing
- Switchable frequencies per band
- Monomaker (Hipass filter)
- Stereo width adjustment
- TMT technology (Brainworx)
- Soft limiter / Soft Clipper
- Input gain knob

It’s discounted for $19,99 for owners of EQ4.

I own EQ4 and like the ease of use. Also the air band provides clarity to my mixes. I use it primarily on my master channel, but sometimes also for bus processing.

What is your opinion about the new EQ4 MS plugin?

[lajosuti]

The original didn't have scalable UI, so I stopped using it on a 4k screen. I will try this one just for this feature. I think the TMT and M/S is just bloat at this point; but what can you do.

[Dust_NL]

The original didn't have scalable UI

Be advised that the original version recently was updated with scalable UI. No need to buy the new one just for this feature.

[t.o.t.s.]

So far I like the EQ4 MS. It's got different shapes, still fast to use, the autogain is nice. GUI wise I really wish you could minimize the interface if you don't need channel differences or MS functions. They do it for the lower half of the plugin, i just wish they're offer it for a single set of controls as well. That's really my only gripe so far. The upgrade price is on point IMO.

[SatioSenapi]

Looks really dope! I don't feel like leaving my Maag EQ 4 standard version tho

[billinder33]

Putting the clipper and width FX aside, how is this better than Fabfilter?

[thecontrolcentre]

Be advised that the original version recently was updated with scalable UI. No need to buy the new one just for this feature.

Thanks, I totally missed that upgrade. I wish PA were as active advertising product updates as they are when they've something new to sell.

[t.o.t.s.]

Putting the clipper and width FX aside, how is this better than Fabfilter?

The Pro-Q3 can do the same width and mono thing the EQ4 is doing. At least on scopes it looks like the same M/S technique the EQ4M is doing. I could be wrong. That being said, I'd say they're too different to really compare. One is a mostly fixed frequency EQ with a lot of the choices made for you with saturation options and is as far from surgical as you can get and the other is a super precise eq with dynamic options as well as a lot of other things. beyond the lose definition of "EQ" they're kind of not in the same sandbox. If you have Pro-Q3 you could probably do the majority of what the EQ4 is doing. I think workflow and GUI have a lot to do with the differences. My "go-to" is the Pro Q3 for almost everything. Stuff like the EQ4 is useful (to me) in live situations. They have AAX-DSP options, they're fast and simple when I have a lot of mics open and in the middle of a live production. When mixing I tend not to use EQ's like that unless whatever they happen to be set to already sounds good enough for me not to bother changing. When mastering stuff like music content, I'll go through a dozen EQ's and kind of feel things out and whatever works for that time and day and track that's what will stay. That's where stuff like the EQ4M and similar EQ's sit for me.

[Deisss]

Putting the clipper and width FX aside, how is this better than Fabfilter?

While the EQ4 is a gimmick EQ, this one has a saturation using the THD button.

If you have Pro-Q3 you could probably do the majority of what the EQ4 is doing.

100% actually, EQ4 has no saturation or any sort. Which means its a pure digital EQ, which means you can approach 100% with Q3.

This one has saturation, so that's not approachable with just Q3. Though the THD button is a bit weird as plugin doctor seems to say there is only one harmonic up to -50db, and then suddenly all arrives around -40db...

[t.o.t.s.]

Putting the clipper and width FX aside, how is this better than Fabfilter?

While the EQ4 is a gimmick EQ, this one has a saturation using the THD button.

If you have Pro-Q3 you could probably do the majority of what the EQ4 is doing.

100% actually, EQ4 has no saturation or any sort. Which means it’s a pure digital EQ, which means you can approach 100% with Q3.

This one has saturation, so that's not approachable with just Q3. Though the THD button is a bit weird as plugin doctor seems to say there is only one harmonic up to -50db, and then suddenly all arrives around -40db...

I meant the eq4m. Oops!

[dysjoint]

This seems more like a colour box eq. The soft clipper is a nice addition. It seems like a max air band boost, even at 40k, raises the signal by a lot across the whole spectrum, which is annoying. I might be missing something. It may be useful for quick, all in one, tone/width/saturation colouring of individual sounds. You can do all this with your other plugins, no doubt. These 20 dollar plugins are more about a solution with less clicks than anything ground breaking imo.

[worldfever]

i love the OG EQ4, I know its a meme plugin, and I also use Pro-Q3 mostly, but love the EQ4 for some broad, braindead vibe changes and have been using it for 10 years or so in every session, always sits on the master channel too. so i got this, should be cool with the MS stuff and additional frequency switches

[Medenka]

You will need to work hard in Pro-Q 3 to achieve the same or close to same curves/band interactions that you get in EQ4 by just turning a few knobs. It's a solution with much less clicks, actually.

That said, IDK/am sceptical how accurate to the hardware it is. Giveaway sign - you can switch THD on/off with a button. The HW doesn't have that, ha-ha...

[imrae]

This one has saturation, so that's not approachable with just Q3. Though the THD button is a bit weird as plugin doctor seems to say there is only one harmonic up to -50db, and then suddenly all arrives around -40db...

That seems normal for a soft-clipper; they are usually linear up to the bottom of the knee.

[ChamomileShark]

That seems normal for a soft-clipper; they are usually linear up to the bottom of the knee.

well that's no use, my ears are almost always above my knees so I won't hear anything?