In Praise of Graphic EQs

[Prime Mover]

I've been a snooty schmuck. I've always poo-poo'd Graphic EQs as being "the idiot's shaping tool", opting more for precision parametric filters. But my boss (who doesn't have much of an audio background) just slayed one of my sound design projects with a graphic EQ that put my favorite para (Waves H-EQ) to shame. Granted, this was an abstract sculpting job, not music, but it did the job better never-the-less.

I tried to reproduce his graphic curve with a para, and it sounded NOTHING alike, and nowhere near as good. For one thing, cuts that spanned many bands were A LOT deeper. Even though he would pull down 4 bands at -3dB, it sounded more like -6 or -9. I realized that because graphic EQs are using many individual filters, they compound pretty drastically, and in very unique unpredictable ways. This isn't probably great for music, but it has a very unique character for sound design projects.

This was just the basic AUGraphicEQ, set to 31 bands. I will be using this more, soon.

[bayswater]

This was just the basic AUGraphicEQ, set to 31 bands. I will be using this more, soon.

I've never looked closely at this plugin and didn't know the number of bands could be set. Thanks for posting this.

[HCMarkus]

An inspiring idea to shake off a stagnant streak.

[kwiz]

I use Waves graphic EQ from time to time for subtle lifts and cuts. I just tried this graphic eq from Eventide that I like a lot! It's free until the end of the month, you just need an iLok account to activate it. It's called Equivocate and it sounds pretty smooth and natural to my ears!

https://www.eventideaudio.com/promo/equivocate

[Don T]

Hello,
That's why I sometimes use the 8 band para EQ in DP. It allows both shaping and fixing audio problems. Graphic EQ's can be problematic depending on it's design / programming.

[philbrown]

I use Waves graphic EQ from time to time for subtle lifts and cuts. I just tried this graphic eq from Eventide that I like a lot! It's free until the end of the month, you just need an iLok account to activate it. It's called Equivocate and it sounds pretty smooth and natural to my ears!

https://www.eventideaudio.com/promo/equivocate

Thanks Kwiz!

I use Waves, API (by UA) and SPL graphics from time to time. Good tools for the toolbox. The 31 band Waves 'Modern' version is interesting as it smooths the adjacent bands with something they call 'flat top' EQ - I think that's how they describe it. Can't find a good pic to post which would explain it a lot better.

[kwiz]

I use Waves graphic EQ from time to time for subtle lifts and cuts. I just tried this graphic eq from Eventide that I like a lot! It's free until the end of the month, you just need an iLok account to activate it. It's called Equivocate and it sounds pretty smooth and natural to my ears!

https://www.eventideaudio.com/promo/equivocate

Thanks Kwiz!

I use Waves, API (by UA) and SPL graphics from time to time. Good tools for the toolbox. The 31 band Waves 'Modern' version is interesting as it smooths the adjacent bands with something they call 'flat top' EQ - I think that's how they describe it. Can't find a good pic to post which would explain it a lot better.

No problem Phil!
Yes, I use the Waves as well but since getting Equivocate, thats now been my go to graphic EQ. It's actually paragraphic which makes it more flexible, as well as the ability to solo bands, match eq other sources, and also has auto output mode! Right now I'm only using on 2 track mixes but I might start using it on busses as well!

[Shooshie]

I have a couple graphic EQ plugins. I just don't use them. Once in a while I get this urge to try things like that, but with those? Each time, I'm so happy to get back to parametric EQs. But if they float your boat, happy sailing!

Shoosh

[daniel.sneed]

Happy sailing here too with deep parametric eqs, such as Motu MW EQ.
Just guessing around: Imagine something a graphic eq may do, which a parametric eq could not?

[kwiz]

The Eventide EQ is paragraphic. you should give it a try while it's still free.

[Prime Mover]

Thanks Phil! Great Find!

The thing about GraphicEQs is they're messy and weird, and sometimes that's not a bad thing. Unlike parametric, which are mathematically very simple—a few filters to do big cuts—GraphicEQs all all these tight little non-linear phase filters working together, so they pretty drastically change the shape of the sound. And they LIE worse than a car salesman running for office: two 3dB filters right next to each other doesn't make a nice even plateau, between them is gonna be a weird pseudo-bell-shaped rise or dip, depending upon the geometry of the filters (which you'll never know), put a bunch of them together in a line, like you're apt to do, and they're gonna make for some gnarly sonic stuff, even before we get into phase discretion. The reality is, you apply a bunch of 3dB filters, and you're going to get some MAJOR changes. I A/B'd a "shelf-like" LP cut on a gEQ to a seemingly similar paraEQ with the same shelf, and the graphic EQ was WAY more pronounced, and the paraEQ was subtle.

So yeah, I wouldn't ever use them on subtle, "transparent" type of work, but just like any other effect, sometimes they end up being the right type of "glue" for the job.

Oh, and don't even think of automating them, that would just be stupid.

[philbrown]

Thanks Phil! Great Find!

I think it's Kwiz you were wanting to thank.

[zandurian]

What did George Martin and (later) Todd Rungren teach us? Screw the book! If it sounds good - do it. "I don't care if I have to hit the console with a hammer to get the sound I want" - Todd Rungren


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