Is Toneboosters EQ Pro 2024’s Best EQ Plugin? A Comprehensive Analysis
There are many options available on the market for clean, surgical equalizers, like Eventide Split EQ, TBX Koff EQ, and FabFilter Pro Q3. However, Toneboosters EQ Pro is a new competitor that is subtly creating a stir. Released earlier this year, this plugin has steadily climbed the ranks, and after spending time with it, I’m convinced it could snag the title of Best EQ Plugin of 2024. Here’s why.
What Makes EQ Pro Stand Out?
Most digital EQs promise transparency, but Toneboosters takes it further. EQ Pro isn’t just “clean” it’s practically invisible. The noise floor hovers around -150 dB (yes, you read that right), which outpaces the dynamic range of a 24-bit audio file (144 dB). Compare that to Pro Q3, and both sit comfortably below the threshold of audibility. Translation: no added noise, just pure, uncolored processing.
And let’s talk efficiency. With zero latency and a CPU load of roughly 1%, this plugin feels like a featherweight champion. Whether you’re mixing on a powerhouse rig or a modest laptop, EQ Pro won’t bog you down.
A Swiss Army Knife of Filters: Going Beyond Basic EQ
EQ Pro’s arsenal of 21 distinct filter types is where it really excels. Although it manages traditional dynamic EQ jobs, its specialized tools are where the true magic is found:
Both temporary and permanent filters
These allow you to separate the frequencies of a sound’s lingering tail from its snappy attack. Without the need for multiband compressors or additional plugins, picture tightening a muddy kick drum by cutting the sustain while maintaining the transient snap. Expert advice: Make two copies of a band, change one to “Transient” and the other to “Sustain,” and then independently modify for surgical control.
Direct and Ambient Filters
Do you want to change a recording’s roominess? While the “Direct” filter concentrates on the dry signal, the “Ambient” filter emphasizes stereo width and reverb tails. Ideal for adding air to vocalists or taming too-live drum recordings. The fact that these only function on stereo songs suggests that there is mid-side processing going on.
Gate Filter
This hybrid tool acts like a frequency-specific gate. Set thresholds to duck problematic resonances or tame harsh highs ideal for cleaning up noisy guitar tracks or vocal sibilance.
The Sidechain Filter that comes with it allows you to make adjustments in response to outside signals, even though it does not have a conventional sidechain input.
Applications in the Real World
Let’s be realistic. I softened a busy synth pad’s sustain without reducing its initial punch on a recent mix by using the Background Filter. The Dynamic DC Filter easily smoothed out plosives for a podcast vocal. Additionally, a bassline that was becoming lost in a dense rock mix was given subtle low-end weight by the Cinematic Filter.
Just one complaint? For accurate triggering, the Gate Filter might benefit from a sidechain input. You won’t often feel constrained, though, because the current tools are so adaptable.
Tone Boosters Equalizer Pro: The Ultimate All-in-One EQ Plugin?
The audio plugin world is buzzing with the latest release from Tone Boosters: Equalizer Pro. Touted as a potential “one EQ to rule them all,” this plugin promises to consolidate your entire EQ toolkit whether you’re using FabFilter Pro Q3, Soothe, Split EQ, or Track Spacer. Does it, however, live up to the expectations? Let’s get started.
A Swiss Army Knife to Promote Equity
Equalizer Pro is not your typical parametric equalizer. Surgical frequency adjustments, dynamic processing, mid-side adjustments, and even specialty jobs like ambient control or de-essing can all be handled by this feature-rich powerhouse.
With an almost unlimited number of bands (seriously, you’ll probably run out of patience before hitting the limit), it’s built for both precision and creativity.
Standout Features
Dynamic Bands: Like Pro Q3, each band can be turned dynamic, reacting to thresholds and attack/release settings. But Equalizer Pro takes it further with unique filter types:
Transient/Sustain Filters: Isolate transients (like punchy kicks) or sustain elements (reverb tails) à la Split EQ.
Direct/Ambience Filters: Similar to Sonible’s Proximity EQ, these adjust the perceived “closeness” or roominess of a track. Similar to TDR Arbiter, Sibilance Control automatically reduces harsh vocal “s” sounds without the need for a separate de-esser.
Background/Gate Filters: Depending on sidechain input, these filters can violently gate frequencies or subtly enhance or reduce background aspects.
Sidechain Functionality: It enables frequency-specific ducking but is less efficient than Track Spacer. For example, carve space for vocals by sidechaining competing midrange elements.
Unlimited Demo: The free version has no time restrictions just a popup on startup and no preset saving. A rare, consumer-friendly approach that lets you test it indefinitely.
Workflow: Hits and Misses
The plugin’s depth is impressive, but its interface has quirks. While adjusting bands is intuitive (scroll to adjust Q, shift-drag for precision), accessing specialized filters requires menu diving. Compared to Tone Boosters’ older Equalizer 4 which lets users scroll through filter types this feels clunky.
That said, features like invertible processing (flipping boosts/cuts visually) and customizable slopes for bell curves add flexibility. The ability to A/B settings via a built-in preset compare tool is also a nice touch.
Real-World Testing
On drums, the transient filter added punch without over-sharpening, while the sustain filter elongated kick tails naturally. For vocals, the sibilance reducer smoothly softened harsh “s” sounds, rivalling dedicated tools.
The ambient filter demonstrated its mix-bus potential by subtly enhancing room mics on a dry guitar track.
On complete mixes, though, the gate filter sounded overbearing, while the background filter’s impact was nearly imperceptible. Despite their innovation, these technologies are perhaps best suited for specialized situations rather than daily use.
Final Thought: Equalizer Pro isn’t flawless; some of its filters want improvement, and its interface could use some polish. However, as a comprehensive solution, it is unmatched. The ability to handle EQ, dynamics, and spatial adjustments in a single plugin is groundbreaking, regardless of your level of experience with mixing.
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