EQP8 2

EQP8 2 is a fully parametric 8-band equalizer for mixing, mastering and sound design, with fixed center frequency ranges to give the user high precision. EQP8 2 produces quality results on individual tracks, groups and masters with exceptional clarity. Packed with several features, EQP8 2 is perfect for any producer who wants to take their sounds to a new degree of quality.

Getting into it

In addition to being a solid parametric 8-band equalizer, EQP8 2 comes with MIDI automation support, a preset manager, the possibility to undo your changes and oversampling for clearer sound. EQP8 2 comes with several factory presets that provide the user with a great starting point to build their own presets. EQP8 2 can be used on a stereo or mono track as an insert effect or as send/return effect. Parametric equalizers can make much more precise adjustments to sound than other equalizers. EQP8 2 features come with an input and output peak meter for each channel. At the top of each meter, the peak hold displays the last highest peak value. The ‘phase’ control allows the user to invert the phase of the sound before the amplification stage. A ‘mix’ control is also present. It is easy to set up parallel processing using the dry /wet 'mix' control. This eliminates the use of an extra aux channel and eliminates any latency issues. When used in conjunction with the ‘phase’ control, the user can produce interesting effects. The EQP8 2 has two flow switches: ‘bypass’ and ‘left and right.’ The ‘bypass’ button allows the user to bypass all the internal processing. The sound out is the same as the sound in, leaving the sound unaltered. The ‘left and right’ buttons allow the user to select the left or right channel to be bypassed. The user can use them to pass a channel to a second EQP8 2 to have different settings on your right and left channels.

Key Features

• Equalize using 8 frequency Bands.
• Control the gain, frequency, bandwidth, and bypass on each band.
• Independent left and right channel bypass.
• Phase inverter and Dry/Wet Mix for parallel equalization.
• Carefully calibrated Peak Meters.
• Max peak values display.
• Dry/Wet Mix and phase inverter for parallel equalization.
• Oversampling for clearer sound.
• Support any sample rate.
• 64-bit internal processing.
• Full MIDI automation support.
• Preset manager, rename, save, load, undo.
• Works in Mono and Stereo.
• Up to 32 presets per bank.

Blayne's Qualms

• The aesthetic of a plug-in is extremely important to me. When a plug-in is captivating or interesting to look at I find it brings out more creative ideas for me and gives me more enjoyment when using the plug-in. EQP8 2' GUI, to me, is rather mundane. Color can go a long way.
• One feature I believe is missing from Tek'it's EQP8 2 is the ability to lock the input/output gain while cycling through presets. Any time you pick a new preset it brings the input and output gain back to 0.00dB. Although some users may not find this to be much of an issue, I would appreciate having the option to lock various parameters in the GUI.
• The main qualm I have with the EQP8 2 is the fact that there is no analyzer. One thing I look for in EQs is the ability to access a spectrum analyzer. Although it is ultimately the sound that matters, visuals aids can help while EQing. I find “spectrum analyzers” help a lot when comparing the unprocessed and processed signals. It also gives you the ability to better understand the EQ curve as you can see it play out in front of you rather than trying to picture it in your mind. Not to mention, it makes it much easier to compare your track to a reference track.

Review

Overall, I was pleased with the EQP8 2. The sound quality is solid. Although there are not a lot of presets; the factory presets are a great starting point. Specifically, the ‘sub kick’ preset, it brought a new punchiness to my subs. EQP8 2 is easy to use and quick to jump into. Anyone who has used a basic EQ before, will easily be able to navigate the EQP8 2. Although, I cannot see myself using this in my mastering process it definitely has a place in my workflow for individual sounds; specifically: kicks, snares, subs and bass tones. My favorite thing about the EQP8 2 is the how easy it is to bypass and mix the signal the dry and wet signal. It becomes easy to know exactly how you are manipulating your sounds.