Best "colorful" mastering EQ plug-in

[lobsterinn]

I'm sure this has been discussed a lot here, but I am having trouble finding it by searching.

I have heard good things about the UAD Pultec and the Chandler EMI. Any others I should try?

I mostly do low budget album and demo mastering, so I am not ready to plunk down 2k+ on any hardware.

Thanks in advance!

[t_d]

many "mastering" EQs are labeled as such becuase of their transparency... if it's color you're after i don't think you necessarily need to look for a "mastering" EQ....

in terms of colorful EQs:

- tritone digital angeltone (this one is actually colorful and "mastering"!)
- tritone hydratone
-... OK, all the tritone EQs are pretty colorful. AngelTone is REALLY sweet. an excellent plug in.

- UAD pultec is pretty colorful, but very limited in frequency.. might not be so useful for mastering.

- various API clones may do it for you... URS, Waves, or TriTone


sounds like AngelTone would really suit you well, though..

[lobsterinn]

Thanks. I'll give AngelTone a go. I really just want something that has a musical high shelf to add a little zip to most things.

[DSD_Mastering]

How about a RED , Blue and Orange one from Algorithmix!

Regards,
Bruce

[jordanh]

I have been meaning to ask this same question, and will now go check out the plugins you guys recommended, thanks!

[OMF]

Blue.....think of it like beefstock in cooking

[bcgood]

Originally Posted by t_d

AngelTone is REALLY sweet. an excellent plug in.

sounds like AngelTone would really suit you well, though..

AngelTone is awesome I absolutely LOVE that plug in. It's like butta, two sticks of butta!

bcgood

[Coyoteous]

thumbsup + 1 for AT - it plus AirEQ, MasterComp and FinalPlug makes a decent ITB mastering chain, IMO...

[gregkat]

Originally Posted by OMF

Blue.....think of it like beefstock in cooking

no no no veal stock or maybe demi-glace...... Became a chef years ago to support my music habit.

[lucidwaves]

Originally Posted by DSD_Mastering

How about a RED , Blue and Orange one from Algorithmix!

Regards,
Bruce

While their names are colorful, their sound is not, sure you knew that though. Just making sure the original poster doesnt get the wrong impression.

[DSD_Mastering]

Originally Posted by lucidwaves

While their names are colorful, their sound is not, sure you knew that though. Just making sure the original poster doesnt get the wrong impression.

Yeah... just me being a smart arse!

Regards,
Bruce

[majoraxis]

speaking of the AIReq... I've tried the URS Classic Console Strip Pro followed by the AIReq and it seems to be a good combination (or was it the other way around)... all of the Strip Pro's eq models have little color by themselves... if you need more color - crank up the input stage percentage on the your favorite input model and away you go...

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by DSD_Mastering

How about a RED , Blue and Orange one from Algorithmix!

Regards,
Bruce

Heh, didn't get it at first. You're a funny guy Bruce

I think the Sonalksis SV-517 is quite good for coloration (it's a mixing EQ really). It's "minimum phase" according to Sonalksis, which basically means it's not linear phase but it's not as messed up as some other EQs (like Renaissance or Q10).

That said, I wouldn't use a software EQ for color.

[lucidwaves]

Originally Posted by t_d

- UAD pultec is pretty colorful, but very limited in frequency.. might not be so useful for mastering.

For a broad stroke "color" eq I have used the PultecPro, it doesn't need to have tons of frequency selection in that type of application.

[audiomichael]

Originally Posted by majoraxis

speaking of the AIReq... I've tried the URS Classic Console Strip Pro followed by the AIReq and it seems to be a good combination (or was it the other way around)... all of the Strip Pro's eq models have little color by themselves... if you need more color - crank up the input stage percentage on the your favorite input model and away you go...

x2 for the CSP. I was surprised by how many different colors the CSP was capable of.

[HIGHENDONLY]

I use crayons when i add color.

[lobsterinn]

<I use crayons when i add color.> -funny


Well I have been playing with AngelTone and it is really nice, especially in the high end on the Missy setting. I don't really like the GUI, but I can probably live with that for the sound. The price is nice too.

Still waiting on the Chandler demo.

I am a little scared to try the URS CSP as I already own lots of their other stuff, and I don't really want to spend $500+ on something all already sort of have. I'm sure I will try it anyway since I have heard so much about it.

[thermos]

Originally Posted by lobsterinn

<I use crayons when i add color.> -funny


Well I have been playing with AngelTone and it is really nice, especially in the high end on the Missy setting. I don't really like the GUI, but I can probably live with that for the sound. The price is nice too.

Still waiting on the Chandler demo.

I am a little scared to try the URS CSP as I already own lots of their other stuff, and I don't really want to spend $500+ on something all already sort of have. I'm sure I will try it anyway since I have heard so much about it.

You don't sort of have it at all. The eq algos are soooo different (better in the strip), its like night and day.

That said, I am using PSP Neon HR (pretty slick) and the CSP for some midband stuff (on the pultec setting) along with the CSP for compression.

[lobsterinn]

[QUOTE=thermos;1459299]You don't sort of have it at all. The eq algos are soooo different (better in the strip), its like night and day.

Damn. That's what I was afraid of. I wish they had built some kind of upgrade path into the pricing for those of us whose eqs and comps have been improved on...

Want to buy some URS plug-ins?

[lobsterinn]

Okay. After spending an hour tweaking around on the CSP I am humbled and amazed. Even its' presets on the mix bus were pretty stunning. I have not heard a plug in sound that 3-D before. I tried swapping in some of the presets with minor tweaks in for what I was using on a drum bus and it was like night and day. The low end on the 1951 eq is rad. It is going to take me a month to get my head around all the modelling...

Still, it doesn't quite do what AngelTone does eq-wise from a mastering perspective. I have no idea how I am going to afford both, but now I HAVE TO.