EQ software

Discussion in 'Computer Audiophile: Software, Configs, Tools' started by logscool, Oct 19, 2015.

  1. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    It is nice, but it has a bit of a learning curve. I think it is a little more delicate than Ozone 5
     
  2. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    For the equivalent of tone control knob, I just use the graphic eq in Deadbeef.

    I want more I use Calf plugins.
     
  3. johnjen

    johnjen Doesn’t want to be here but keeps posting anyways

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    Isn't it interesting how EQ has risen in significance since Tyll posted that article in inner fidelity with Bob Katz.

    And it's the 1st time I've achieved satisfactory results, far beyond my expectations.

    :thumb
    :thumb

    JJ
     
  4. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I like EqualizerAPO + Peace GUI for normal Windows listening.

    For foobar2000 and JRiver, I use EasyQ for normal EQ or EngineersFilter if I want a brick wall bass filter (http://www.rs-met.com/freebies.html).

    Also for foobar2000, I abandoned George Yohng's VST Wrapper in favor of foo_vst. It's much more user-friendly after you install the VST you want (you do have to restart foobar2000 after installing them) because you can just access them in the DSP Manager (https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=84947).
     
  5. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    DMG audio (makers of the moderately expensive Equilibrium) have a cheaper but very capable plug-in called Equality. I'm trying out Equality and it is really doing the trick for me. Has a lot of the nice high-end features of Equilibrium like linear phase, multiple filter banks, etc.
     
  6. logscool

    logscool Friend

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    They seem to claim that Equality is more designed fro EQing multiple tracks so it has been designed to have lower CPU usage where as Equilibrium has a setting to use more processing power for better sound quality. Don't know how much of a difference this makes, it's probably quite small, just thought I'd mention it.
     
  7. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    Yeah, Equality has a similar setting. I don't know whether it's equivalent under the hood, but it appears to be at least roughly similar

    [​IMG]

    Another thing I like about Equality is the "just right" amount of control. Equilibrium has a wonderfully ridiculous amount of control beyond what I need for listening to music. :)
     
  8. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    If you are using Equilibrium go into the settings and select "Analog" as the filter type. For me this is the best sounding liner phase filter I have heard.
    If you prefer minimum phase you can select "Zero Latency Analog". You can also increase or lower the taps but I find the default of 65535 works best most of the time.

    Equality probably has very similar options.

    Also, another big tip for Equality/Equilibrium is to right click on a node which will "solo" the node and really help you to dial it in. Maybe not so useful for fixed headphone EQ but indispensable for individual tracks or mastering work.
     
  9. NoStream

    NoStream Acquaintance

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    I'm pretty sure analog EQs are inherently not linear phase, and a brief look through the manuals of the software mentioned seems to confirm that. Of course, that's not to say that analog models of EQs can't sound great (e.g. Sonnox Oxford).

    I'll need to try out Equilbrium - it looks really impressive. Analog FIR and all those old school EQ models that you can mix and match... I'm drooling.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2015
  10. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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    Yes this is excellent. Now I have Ctrl+O opening Ozone 5 in Foobar. Thanks for the tip! :bow:
     
  11. julian67

    julian67 Facebook Friend

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    I did use eq software.....until I got headphones I liked. Ha ha.

    I 100% find that the feeling that EQ is required correlates 100% to not having headphones which aren't very shitty. I suppose that an alternative explanation might be a very shittily produced audio collection but I don't listen to a pooly produced audio collection so am somewhat immune.

    If you think you need EQ you're wrong (it isn't complicated). You need to change your headphones. Once you have tolerable headphones then EQ is not a factor, but you might want to experiment with different crossfeeds.
     
  12. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I use EQ only to boost bass, particularly below 100Hz, because it's awesome. I have some of the most bass-heavy headphones out there but always want more.

    I agree that if you EQ heavily, you probably don't like the headphone. That said, some headphones have incredible potential and EQ can bring that potential out of them.

    The JVC HA-SZ2000 has the most bass potential of any headphone ever. It can even give amazing clarity and the elusive speaker-like experience. But its stock sound signature is terrible.

    The Fostex TH600/900 have very good clarity and incredible bass. They're basically the pinnacle of audiophile-bass cans. But, there's a 5-6kHz peak that I can't stand without EQ.

    Now, I have JVC HA-DX2000s. They're exactly the sound I want, but I still boost bass on electronic and hip hop because I like my ears to shake.
     
  13. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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    Or you love the HD800 but it has a 6000 peak. You can buy your equipment to dodge that or mod the headphone but you pay a different price in each case. EQ is also a valid approach IMO.
     
  14. julian67

    julian67 Facebook Friend

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    Nah...you just have two problems in this case:

    1: bought wrong headphones (buy HD800 and then get sniffy and imagine can exceed in software what was not achieved in hardware ha ha ha ha ha)
    2: more money than sense.

    OK three problems:

    3: both above + lack of insight.
     
  15. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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    You forgot:
    4: takes headphone advice from an arrogant prick.
    Actually that one won't be applying to me. :p

    Peace! |\/|
     
  16. julian67

    julian67 Facebook Friend

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    5: Peace
    6: Off
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Currawong is watching.
     
  18. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    In the interest of not derailing this thread with useless criticism...

    Are any of those paid EQs actually superior to the free options in sound, or just in control?

    Are there any analog (discrete device) solutions that are worth looking into?

    I wish amps still made a habit of providing some degree of EQ like in the old days. My vintage Pioneer SA-9100 has a bunch of integrated knobs and switches that help me dial in the sound (which I only use to boost bass, to be honest).
     
  19. logscool

    logscool Friend

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    I haven't used all of the free EQs by any means but most of these certainly provide sonically better results than the ones I have. Also I think I would argue that better control most of the time does lead to better sound quality.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Would be interesting to test the EQs. Some free software EQs can be pretty craptastic (from an objective / measurements point of view).
     

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