Hello Guys,

I could suggest the Topic was already here, but I couldnt find any related Thread...

I need your opinion; What do you think is the smoothest EQ Plugin for boosting the high frequencies while mastering the sum? (And of course for stem mixing).
I tried different EQs but was not happy with all results. They all sounded to harsh in my opinion.
The only one which I could feel was one from Lindell, but that was long time ago.

Open for your thoughts and thank you.

 

Tone Projects Michelangelo or Pulsar Massive. There's also the chance you're trying to band-aid a deeper issue in your mix and that's why nothing works.

 

try luftikus

 

EQ always depends on your taste and approach, of course. When it comes to surgical cuts and adjustments, I would still go for the Pro Q3 in Linear Phase mode. However, if you are looking for a colorbox to push a little more mids or, in your example, highs or “air”, the best choice is currently the Michelangelo EQ from Tone Projects.

 

thank you for the tipps! Will try them out. There are absolutely no problems while mixing electronic instruments, but sometimes when it comes to accoustic stuff like especially guitars it doesnt sound right to me.

 

thanks, i`m using the pro Q3 for surgical work but like you pointed out for the air i need something smooth.

 

TDR Nova, Fresh Air from Slate or TDR Slick EQ

 

Relab Maselec

 

As a mastering engineer of 27 years I can tell you there is no best, there is only best for the job.

 

my vote goes to makebelievestudios' SontecEq , tone projects' michelangelo , or avalon vt 747

 

I still love the MHorse.

 

Brainworx bx_digital V3

 

The easiest way to have good results according to your demand, to me is with TDR SlickEQ M, max out its quality.
Precise knobs, well-thought interface and controls, pristine top end, subtle warm harmonic reinforcement if needed.
You can't go wrong or more "harsh" than with any other EQ, analog or not.

 

Like already mentioned, good options are
- Fabfilter Q3 for surgical eq'ing
- Kirchhoff EQ, if you really want to meddle with settings
- TDR Slick EQ GE, for some nice shelf EQ
- Mäag EQ 4, a very nice musical EQ, especially with the 40 kHz AIR band setting.

 

ToneBoosters new EQ Pro seems like it could be a great pick.

 

Does a exciter do the same?

 

For air you need plugin that boosts freq's past 20k, for that I have MAAT eqBlue, Sontec 432, PSPMasterQ2 sound the best for that. I have the other EQ's mentioned which sound good but not great for air, as many plugins have a nyquist LPF at 20k. A good BAX EQ can be good too. I recently tried Sonimus SonEQ2 & the hi's on that are incredible. Kirchhoff is also good contender, as is Apogee Pultec, the other Pultecs sound harsh too me, UAD, IK, Waves etc. Even some of the top hardware mastering EQ's aren't great at air.

 

A multiband exciter is great for that. Pull the highs down with an EQ, then add saturation on top.

 

You could probably get the same with a multiband exciter, like shinjiya already wrote. But I like using the Mäag EQ, it has a distinct sound. You can´t really explain it, you´ll have to hear it to understand.

 

If a high boost with EQ sounds harsh - that means whatever you're boosting is already harsh, just quiet. A good EQ will not save your mix in that case.

On topic, the best mastering EQs are DMG EQuilibrium for technical pros and TDR SlickEQ M for everyone else.