I know what you mean. Nothing substitute good ears, but do you do ear training? If yes, think this like a ear training or ear ''understanding''.
I don't use this to mix, I use this as a tool to improve and see if what I'm really hearing is correct.
Using this tool you know that this plugin has a bump in 60hz, can you really hear it? If don't, it's time to do some ear training and understand that you need to earn some experience.
Its too easy to say ''Learn how to listen'', but actually 'hear things' its not that easy. We're talking about 10 years at least working everyday to have really good pair of ears (really good) and know how you perceive the audio and how it works for you. Tools that helps you understand things are welcome to me. Or you have never used a Spectrum Analyzer? They are all helpers.

 

I should've mentioned that I absolutely love VST Analyser and Plugin Doctor, too.

As you said, Banz, it is really good to know what's happening under the hood. I like to know what's going on there, too. Some things you cannot pick up just by listening, indeed. Like harmonics and phase, and high/low cuts. But Q-Clone is not so precise, and the only thing you get to see is the frequency curve.

I say have fun with Plugin Doctor and VST Analyser if you have x86 plugins. Checking plugins with these tools might change your perception of some hyped, and some undervalued plugins. You will realise that in some cases high prices of some plugins are completely unjustified.

Cheers!

 

Yeah,the phase alterations are as important as the EQ curve for what you feel about the frequency response.

Me too,when I want to analyse what a plugin does I go with a spectrum analyser,goniometer and plugin doctor.

And vizualizing with your eyes might improve the way you hear.

 

Actually you can "hear" phase changes but only if they are drastic, like if you put a high-pass 48 db slope on a kick or a bass that has some DC offset you can hear a small difference (not in the freq response, in the overall sound itself), but it's almost unnoticeable. The thing is that if you overlook things like this many times in a single song the whole mix starts sounding like shit and you'll have some hard times knowing why.

 

I'll give a try!!! Sounds promising to me talking about tests.
Cheers!

 

This may come as a surprise, but the oldie Revalver MKII.V can do all that: frequency, phase, harmonics, you name it.

The best part is that you can export the IR that captures the frequency response. Easiest way ever to do EQ matching.

Remember that Revalver can host any VST2 plugin in its FX-Chain.

Edited: I forgot I even made a half-assed videotut!
https://audiosex.pro/threads/easiest-guitar-tone-eq-matching-ever.31744/