Hello folks, I hope things are going well for all of you out there. Here's a quick question. Just like the title says, I want a CPU-friendly EQ with a built-in audio spectrum analizer, like Fabfilter's Q3.

I am in love with Acon EQualize (no need for the Q3), but even though it is not a CPU hog, there comes a point where it just kills the audio engine in my DAW. for instance, the built-in EQ from Pro Tools is way more CPU-light and a great plugin, but it lacks the analyzer.

Any pointers?

Thanks in advance for your time.

P.S. I need it to be AAX compatible, and I'm not considering adding a spectrum analyzer in my output bus (unless I'm missing out on something by not doing so). In short, I'd like a lighter plugin than EQualize.

 

Voxengo GlissEQ aswell as PrimeEQ use 13% of TDR Nova here and since Nova is free you can easily download and estimate their consumption on your system.

In case you're not a friend of Voxengo's, DDMF IIEQPro uses 20% of Nova's.

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2020

Thank you, buddy. That's very useful input.

 

ProTools stock EQ has a modifier key (shift or alt/option) to solo the band you are working on, so maybe it's a work around for not having a spectrum analyzer.

DMG EQuick is a great lightweight EQ with an Analyzer, too. I think if DMGs high end Equilibrium EQ would be simpler in workflow it would easily kill FabFilter ProQ. That's how good DMG stuff is.

 

MeldaProduction EQs, I'm sure they've AAX versions.
I think MEqualizer is one of the fastest.

Still, Pro Q3 is very fast in zero latency mode.

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2020

Ah, I forgot about EQuick. It's even easier on the CPU than PrimeEQ, GUI and analyzer are not as versatile as PrimeEQ but it sounds better than PrimeEQ and Nova. A bit more costly but if your focus is on sound (which it probably is), I'd go for EQuick.

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2020

i don't know about cpu consumption but i use voxengo span for this purpose.. i can recommend

 

The Melda production MEqualizer (FreeWare) is your best bet.

 

I would have to go with DMG's Equilibrium, but EQuick is also a good choice, if you're on a budget (or, don't indulge in the filthy act of pyracy. )
I'm not sure what Steezo means (

) as I've never found Equilibriums workflow any more or less "simple" than ProQ3, just different. The keyboard/mouse actions make the most sense to me of any EQ, but that's me. Basically it has so many ways that you set it up, it's easy to make it optimal for your work style. And? Both are very CPU friendly.
That being said, EQuick is also wicked solid and a bill cheaper, but you might find the lack of certain features a downside.

Equilibrium:

(There aren't any video for Equick, but you don't have to grab the demo to get the manuals for either of them.)

Manuals: https://dmgaudio.com/downloads.php

 

"Workflow" may have been the wrong term here. I probably should have used "Setup process" instead. Because if you open up EQuilibrium for the first time after install you are greeted by a 6 pages deep setup wizard which is totally annoying:

 

ApQualizr2.

Or..idk. I just love it though.

 

Acon Digital Equalize2 is fairly decent, and superlight on cpu.
Fabfilter copycat is also fairly decent, and light on cpu.
Toneboosters Equalizer 4 is fairly decent, and light on cpu. And (price) cheap....

 

Last edited: Feb 22, 2020

Crave EQ, man...It sounds great, better than Pro-Q IMHO, and it's very light:

https://cravedsp.com/crave-eq

 

What is so special about it compared to a dozen similar plugins. Even better than maat blue?

 

Storms cominggggg.....

Without entering the upcoming argument, MAAT's plugins doesn't care at all about CPU usage. They're kind of the opposite, all about technical and sound extremely high standards. I once read their website and I can safely say even many pros don't even need that high specs. It never hurts though if you have a datacenter...

 

Yes Crave is the one these days

 

EQuilibrium is more CPU heavy than EQuick.

Yeah, this step is a bit complicated.

 

I'd say ToneBoosters' EQ 3 and DMG EQuick are both pretty great workhorse EQs with low CPU and spectral analysers.

 

Agreed, partially. It's not so much of a pain in the ass if you realize (not saying you don't,) that the settings you choose in the wizard aren't terribly important as, whatever you choose can be change in the settings page at any point after that, so it's not like you can mess it up or anything; it's just a starting point.

Agreed, but I have an older PC that's far from a powerhouse, and I've never had the an issue, even with quite a few instances across the board, with Equilibrium taking up any significant amount of CPU resources, something which I have to constantly keep an eye on.

 

Do you use Equalize in minimum phase mode (zero latency as opposed to linear phase mode) ?
It shouldn't kill your cpu if you pile them up with a decent set up. I'm guessing Pro Tool stock eq operates in minimum phase mode by default...

Edit : also analysers hit hard on the cpu. Once you're done with them on individual tracks disable them in the eq, just keep the ones on the buses alive.

 

Last edited: Feb 26, 2020