The Empirical Labs Big FrEQ

www.mix-therapy.com

Hi everyone. Welcome to my inaugural edition of ‘Things Paterno Likes’, encouraged by my man Mouse.

This seems like as good a place to start as any, as I’ve just got my hands on the Big FrEQ, and I’m really digging it!!

The Big FrEQ [with JP preset starting EQ points and filter slopes]:

My first thought when I heard about the Big FrEQ was, ‘Does the world need another EQ plugin?’ As soon as I started using it though, I re-worded it: ‘Does the world need another musical EQ plugin?’. The answer is a resounding YES!!!! This plugin has immediately found it’s way into my very small pile of heavy rotation tools. The Big FrEQ is powerful enough to be used for broad stroke or detail work, all the while retaining a pleasing and musical feel at all times. There are few plugins I can truly say that about. I’ve used it on just about every instrument that has come my way in a mix. It’s that good.

The interface is not complicated - 6 overlapping parametric bands of EQ, a set of high and low shelf points, a set of high and low cut filters with variable slopes, a phase button [readily in sight and available for use!!], an output pot, and a Finisher circuit that adds a very useful saturation component if desired. You will desire it for some things - trust me!!

There is a straightforward and easy way to type in gain and frequency values, a way to copy settings between bands, and a ‘focus’ mode to allow fine tuning of the frequency selection. The folks at ELI have also added a cool new parameter that has shown up here and there on newer EQ plugins - they have dubbed this the ‘Slope’ control. It allows for a less peaking response around the selected center frequency. See the contrast between these two bands:

With slope set to 60dB/octave on band two you can see how the peak flattens out relative to the 12dB/octave slope of band four.

My favorite thing about this EQ is what it does to my audio. It has a sound that reminds me of my most-liked outboard EQs and consoles, but it doesn’t point to anything blatantly specific. And it can be more surgical than any outboard EQ I’ve ever used. There is ‘size’ when you crank up the low end. The top end and presence areas speak but do not bark. Using this EQ is not a clinical exercise in fixing problems, although it absolutely is great for that. It just plain sounds good!!!

And just when you think you’ve got something cool dialed in, it is always worth it to turn on the Finisher to see what else can be had. I love it on electric guitars in particular.

Bravo to the ELI team for another cool software offering! The Big FrEQ has the potential to be a go-to staple for many people.

Until next time - Practice Listening. Always.

Cheers,

John