"Mojo" EQ of choice for mix/master buss?

[GRUMP]

Would it not be better and more controlable to use an eq that is more accurate but combine that with a saturation effect to provide some colouring?

Why Satruration? Don´t believe that hype! It´s about frequency balance, 3D, depth ...

[bmanic]

Would it not be better and more controlable to use an eq that is more accurate but combine that with a saturation effect to provide some colouring?

Well, yes it would.

Cheers!
bM

[Sparky77]

Would it not be better and more controlable to use an eq that is more accurate but combine that with a saturation effect to provide some colouring?

Well, yes it would.

Cheers!
bM

This always depends on the material, there is no single setup that works the same for all music/songs.

[stillshaded]

I’ve always wondered what the difference between a clean eq followed by a saturation unit, vs an eq that saturates. I’m leaning towards “there’s not one.”

[bmanic]

I’ve always wondered what the difference between a clean eq followed by a saturation unit, vs an eq that saturates. I’m leaning towards “there’s not one.”

I've wondered this too. I think there might be a difference though.. depending on the topology. If the saturation happens "within the EQ band itself" then that band creates different harmonic properties depending on it's settings and this would be difficult to duplicate in a EQ + Saturation combination.

.. but I don't know the answer. May need some thorough investigation.

[aMUSEd]

OK well my thinking was based on the fact that generally when you have an EQ that also provides some saturation the amount of control you have over the amount and qualities of the saturation is usually a lot less than it is with a dedicated saturation plugin. That would also enable you to then use something more precise for equalisation purposes so overall you end up with more control over both aspects and also a lot more flexibility (including the order you put them in).

[abi]

I’ve always wondered what the difference between a clean eq followed by a saturation unit, vs an eq that saturates. I’m leaning towards “there’s not one.”

I've wondered this too. I think there might be a difference though.. depending on the topology. If the saturation happens "within the EQ band itself" then that band creates different harmonic properties depending on it's settings and this would be difficult to duplicate in a EQ + Saturation combination.


.. but I don't know the answer. May need some thorough investigation.

I agree. If you compare two eq plug-ins you consider colouring with the same boosts or cuts at the same frequencies with the same q’s and have different impressions of colouring I would conclude either the

A: The saturation happening “within eq~band” as bmanic suggested or
B: The saturation happening pre-eq bands or
C: The saturation happening post~eq bands

is varying among the different plugins. I imagine there will be mixes in e designs of A, B and C. So I don’t think that you can copy every “colour” by one eq and one saturation plugin in series.

The other question is how important this is.

[4damind]

A Pultec-style EQ, because I never do surgical EQing on the master buss. If you are a mastering guy, things are a little different. In that case, the BAX might be a bit too limited and the Millenia is a better option. Apart from that you can also take a dynamic EQ (or any other better EQ) and for the "Mojo" a console saturation/tape saturation etc.

With the Pultec... NoiseAsh would tick all boxes, but it's too unstable for me (I had many crashes even with the latest version). So no recommendation.
The Black Rooster is better, but it makes sense to have both versions (VEQ-1p & VEQ 5) and for me it replaces the BAX and also Slate EQs like the AirEQ on the master buss.

[Ploki]

I’ve always wondered what the difference between a clean eq followed by a saturation unit, vs an eq that saturates. I’m leaning towards “there’s not one.”

I've wondered this too. I think there might be a difference though.. depending on the topology. If the saturation happens "within the EQ band itself" then that band creates different harmonic properties depending on it's settings and this would be difficult to duplicate in a EQ + Saturation combination.

.. but I don't know the answer. May need some thorough investigation.

I’ve always wondered what the difference between a clean eq followed by a saturation unit, vs an eq that saturates. I’m leaning towards “there’s not one.”

one of the rare EQ's that do this is WavesFactory spectre. (it's not technically an EQ? Or it is. I don't know what it is. it's gooooood tho.)

I agree. If you compare two eq plug-ins you consider colouring with the same boosts or cuts at the same frequencies with the same q’s and have different impressions of colouring I would conclude either the

A: The saturation happening “within eq~band” as bmanic suggested or
B: The saturation happening pre-eq bands or
C: The saturation happening post~eq bands

is varying among the different plugins. I imagine there will be mixes in e designs of A, B and C. So I don’t think that you can copy every “colour” by one eq and one saturation plugin in series.

The other question is how important this is.

Within EQ band implies a parallel design, else EQ's do a compound curve of what you set on them.
So if the EQ is not parallel by design, i don't think they can do "within EQ band" saturation.
To be frank, i'm not sure hardware does this either, what's "emulated" usually is just "transformer output" or some kind of amplifier stage (in case of Pultec's). Usually over-exaggerated.

it seems unimaginable today, but generally better equipment was the one that didn't saturate like crazy.

With the Pultec... NoiseAsh would tick all boxes, but it's too unstable for me (I had many crashes even with the latest version). So no recommendation.
The Black Rooster is better, but it makes sense to have both versions (VEQ-1p & VEQ 5) and for me it replaces the BAX and also Slate EQs like the AirEQ on the master buss.

I think NoiseAsh ticks too many boxes. someone (i can't remember username) did a very thorough breakdown of why it's not a good pultec emu

[ramseysounds]

https://www.soundspot.audio/downloads/o ... io-plugin/ I use this often, combined with Hiku. Very good results and extremely affordable