Welcome to Sage Audio. Today let’s look at 10 Free Plugins like the Pro-Q 3. But first,
If you have a mix that you need to have mastered, send it to us to receive a free mastered sample
of it with the link in the description.
2S EQ - 2nd Sense
For this video let’s look at free parametric EQs - some of which completely mimic the Pro-Q
3 whereas others have similar functions.
2S EQ is somewhat simple, but it offers 9 filters starting with a high pass and low
pass filter, then we have 7 filters that can have their frequency, Q value, and gain altered.
All of this is showcased within a window with the left and right channel response.
For the demos, let’s create a curve with the Pro-Q3 and then mimic it as close as possible
with these free EQs. I’ll use some of the Pro-Q 3’s advanced functions like dynamic
bands and mid-side processing to showcase where these free plugins either fall short
or match their functionality.
Let me know in the comments if they sound similar or miss the mark.
Triple EQ - Blue Cat Audio
This is probably the most bare-bones EQ on this list since it only offers 3 filters - a
low shelf, a mid-band that’s fully parametric, and a high shelf. If we click an icon in the
top left, we get access to dials at the bottom.
Let’s see if we can use these 3 bands to nearly match our original Pro-Q 3 curve.
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Colour EQ - DDMF
Colour EQ has 6 filters, but these offer a little more flexibility with different filter
types. For example, the low and high filters can be cuts or shelves, or in the case of
the highest filter, can be 2 different types of bell filters, and can have Q values changed.
Let’s try to match the Pro Q 3 curve with this EQ.
QRange - LKJB
QRange is a linear phase EQ with 12 bands - each of which can be any of 5 filter types,
and can be placed on the stereo, left, right, mid, or side image. The analyzer and overall
interface look a little dated, but it’s hard to complain when it offers this type
of functionality.
Aside from the dynamic bands, this one can do a lot of what the Pro-Q 3 can do. Let’s
take a listen.
MEqualizer - Melda Audio
MEqualizer may seem simple at first but when we right-click a band, we can access different
filters, the Q, amplitude, and frequency, and stereo placement. In the utility section,
we can alter the type of processing from stereo L & R to stereo Mid & Side, and more.
One nice feature is that the analyzer tags higher amplitude frequencies and their respective
notes.
There are a lot more features with this plugin, some of which the Pro-Q 3 doesn’t have,
but let’s try to match up the sound with our original curve.
Frequalizer - Foley’s Finest
With this EQ we get 6 filters, each of which can be 9 different filter types - most being
fully parametric. The analyzer shows the input and output which is helpful, and the output
gives us an adaptive function to amplify or attenuate the overall level to match the input.
Let’s take a listen to this one matching our original curve.
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Classic Equalizer - IK Multimedia
This is a simple one, but if you like T-Racks it might be worth your time - it offers 6
bands made up of high and low pass filters, low and high shelves, and 2 fully parametric
mid to high-frequency bands. Like the Pro-Q 3, you can affect the stereo, left/right,
and mid/side.
Let’s take a listen to it.
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Equalizer 4 - ToneBoosters
For this entry I’m going to cheat a little bit - Equalizer 4 isn’t free; however, it
offers a demo that doesn’t expire, lets you access the plugin in its entirety, and
without it being forcefully bypassed or any noise or cut-outs being added. With that in
mind, I thought it was worth showing.
It lets you create up to 16 filters, which can be a bell, high and low shelves, high
and low pass, and band pass filters which can vary in their dB/octave slopes.
Each band can be made dynamic with variable attack and release, ratios, optional circuit
drive which is a cool addition, and automatic settings.
Like the Pro-Q 3 we can solo each band, and importantly, change the stereo placement and
enable analog behavior in the curve.
So if you want something really similar to the Pro-Q 3, definitely check this out. And
if you do choose to buy it, it’s very reasonably priced at roughly $30.
Let’s take a listen.
Kirchhoff EQ - Three Body Tech
I’m going to cheat just one more time, and talk about this paid-for plugin, but, like
the last chapter, the demo has absolutely no limitations.
This one lets you create up to 32 bands - all of which can be dynamic, with really in-depth
parameters including side-chain triggers, frequency-specific triggers, and more. The
types of filters you can choose from are impressive, and you even get some emulations of popular
analog filters.
Like with the Pro-Q 3 we can choose the stereo placement, solo the bands, and introduce different
types of phase.
Additionally, we get a piano roll at the bottom to help keep amplified frequencies in key,
and attenuated ones out of key.
This one is a bit more expensive than the last entry, but again, the demo gives you
full and unlimited access to the plugin.
Let’s take a listen.
Overtone GEQ - Voxengo
Last up we have this graphic EQ, but with variable frequency and amplitude - that said,
we’re missing the ability to change the filter type and the Q value, but we still
get options for stereo placement. The default lets us alter frequencies on the left and
right.
This can be switched to mid and side or other configurations in the routing window. We can
introduce oversampling as well and set the phase to linear in the settings window.
Lastly, this plugin introduces subtle harmonics which help fill out the sound.
Let’s see if we can get this one to sound similar to our Pro-Q 3 curve.
If you have a mix that you need to have mastered, send it to us to receive a free mastered sample
of it with the link in the description. Thank you so much for watching.