Noirsonance releases EQ6, a freeware equalizer plugin for Windows and macOS.
It’s a toss-up as to whether equalizers or compressors are more common for plugins. To add fuel to this particular VST plugin rivalry is the EQ6 parametric equalizer by Noirsonance.
EQ6 is a relatively simple-looking plugin with a clear and easily read interface. You have five bell filters and a high pass filter to shape your sounds.
Each band is set at a fixed frequency, with the four bell filters running from low to high-end frequencies. These have a fair bit of range to them, with 16dB of gain in either direction.
The filters are smooth, and they sound quite nice when used for mixing and mastering. The bands themselves don’t seem to be particularly narrow on the bandwidth. Instead, it’s more broad strokes.
EQ6 is simple and to the point, which can be rather liberating when carving out space for the various elements of a song. Noirsonance has also stated that each individual band on EQ6 has its own separate processing engine, which is supposed to add to the clarity and definition of the affected frequencies.
However, it lacks some degree of character to it, operating more as a clean and clear mastering equalizer than a grungy vintage emulation. Still, not everything on the planet needs a smudge of saturation despite my protestations.
If you need more saturation in your mix, try using our free BPB Saturator plugin.
Each of the knobs is stepped, however minutely, which might be a point of contention for some. Also, thanks to the lack of a real-time frequency spectrum analyzer, it can be a welcome change of pace if you find yourself relying too much on your eyes over your ears.
Of course, if you’re running something like the superlative TDR Slick EQ or have a preferred EQ like Pro-Q 3 or Kirchhoff, it might not get the creative juices rolling.
EQ6 is available for Windows and Mac computers. Supported plugin formats are VST3 and AU. You will need a 64-bit host for Windows and Mac alike.
I apologize to the Mac users since I can’t readily test if this one is Silicon-ready. At the very least, you can probably get it running in Rosetta if native support isn’t available.
Download: EQ6
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11 Comments
Bthelick
onWhy does it exist though? Daws have had great stock eqs for years now. Scientifically there’s absolutely no need for this to exist.
I’ve got eqs coming out of my ears, and I still only use 2 of them!
Please plugin Devs solve some interesting problems!
dgu
onYou cant easily mimic the curveS these eqs make with your stock plugins.
MRG
onSome like plugins instead of DAW functionality when they need/want to use more than one DAW and want to feel EQually (HA!) at ease in each of them. Learn once, apply everywhere. Creatures of habit we are.
Scientist
on“scientifically” there was absolutely no need for you to type this comment out and reply to this thread with nonsense… yet here we are.
Nizja
onHe’s got a point. Also, who comes ups with these cringe names? Noirsonance, really? The logo is shite too, it is what it is.
Piercell
onif you hate it so much go and buy Maag EQ4 for 230$ don’t complain over free software ffs
alex
onLoopcloud is offering Bitwig Studio 8-Track for free to all new and existing subscribers. I didn’t get it because I don’t do subscriptions even if I can cancel them before being charged. Still, someone may need it, so:
http://www.loopcloud.com/cloud/subscriptions/plans?utm_campaign=1291004_PB%20-%20Loopcloud%20April%20NL%20-%2022%2F04%2F2023&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Newsletter&dm_i=6D39,RO58,ZY4KX,3GDGB,1.
cndmn
onShouldn’t it be in the software section?
Angie
onvenus theory released a new free vhs synth for decent sampler
decentsamples.com/product/interlaced-free-edition-by-venus-theory-dave-hilowitz/
NoirSonance
onHey all, thank you for downloading and using our new plugin!
The package has been updated we now support silicon chips!
Same link, same location, with one more (M processor) installer
Happy mixing <3
Philip
onHeads up: I found that this plugin is likely producing the NaNs effect (divide by zero). I used it in Tracktion Waveform 12.6, and edits I had EQ6 installed would lose audio, requiring disabling EQ6, closing the edit and coming back in after resetting the project’s sample rate. The audio was back, yet re-enabling EQ6 would immediately cause the audio to drop out. Strange thing is, I can use it in other edits without issue, so it’s not straight forward in it’s presentation! Also had it effect other plugs, which would need to be disabled as well, in order to get audio back.