Our friends at FabFilter have just launched a new version of their hugely popular EQ plug-in Pro-Q. We are excited to present to you our exclusive video and thoughts on FabFilter Pro-Q 3. First, how on earth did FabFilter improve on what has been regarded as one of the best EQ plug-ins around? What’s new?

New Features In FabFilter Pro-Q 3

• Dynamic EQ for any of the 24 bands (Shelf or Bell at any slope), with Dynamic Range and Threshold controls and an intelligent Auto Threshold mode.

• Dynamic EQ bands still feature perfect analog EQ shape matching and also support Linear Phase mode.

• Easily create dynamic bands in the EQ display by holding the Alt key while dragging the result curve or double-clicking in the display.

• Surround support (up to 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos), with intelligent per-band speaker selection.

• Per-band mid/side or left/right processing options.

• New Brickwall LP/HP filter slope.

• New Flat Tilt filter shape: a flat tilting correction curve over the whole audible frequency spectrum.

• Improved spectrum analyzer with frequency collision indication and the option to show the spectrum of any other Pro-Q 3 instance: simply hover over the analyzer button in the bottom bar and choose another Pro-Q 3 plug-in instance here. Instances are named automatically and can be renamed if needed.

• Improved EQ parameter value display with bypass, shape and delete buttons and easy access to the band menu.

• Improved Spectrum Grab with labels indicating the most important peaks.

• Improved EQ band menu (also accessible via the value display), with Make Dynamic, Invert Gain options and more.

• Improved EQ Match, adding the possibility to match with a post spectrum from another Pro-Q 3 instance in your session.

• Improved Auto Gain with channel weighting and an estimated correction of dynamic gain for a better overall gain adjustment.

• Improved MIDI Learn with the ability of controlling the active band using a single set of controls on your MIDI controller.

• Overall new and fresh design.

Visit the FabFilter website for a full list of FabFilter Pro-Q 3 features

What Does FabFilter Say About Pro-Q 3?

An equalizer is probably the tool you use most while mixing and mastering, so you need the best of the best. With FabFilter Pro-Q 3, you get the highest possible sound quality, a very extensive feature set, and a gorgeous, innovative interface with unrivalled ease of use.

FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is designed to help you achieve your sound in the quickest way possible. Via the large interactive EQ display, you can create bands where you need them, enable dynamic EQ for any band, and select and edit multiple bands at once.

Unique features like Spectrum Grab, Full Screen mode and EQ Match will speed up your workflow even more.

FabFilter Pro-Q 3 In Action - Production Expert Exclusive Video

In this exclusive first look at FabFilter Pro-Q 3 we show you a selection of new features including, dynamic EQ, brick wall filter slopes, per band m/s, invert gain, tilt slope, Q-gain interaction and the new analyzer which displays the full EQ spectrum from other Pro-Q 3 instances in your sessions.

We also show you a handful of amazing Pro-Q 3 features that we love from the previous version Pro-Q 2.

Watch FabFilter’s Pro-Q 3 Tutorial Video

What Do We Think Of FabFilter Pro-Q 3?

What’s not to like? For years FabFilter Pro-Q 2 has been a firm favourite of mine for mixing and mastering. Pro-Q has features across countless tracks within every single mix that I’ve produced in that time. It’s one of those types of plug-ins that, though quite visual, makes it easy for me to follow my instincts and make smart choices based on what I’m hearing. Any action, such as loading a band, setting a Q width or gain value is only ever a single click away. Nearly every operation is no more than two clicks away which makes for an incredibly easy to use plug-in. I’m awarding FabFilter Pro-Q 3 with an Expert Choice award as FabFilter has taken an already fantastic plug-in and improved it well beyond a point that I ever thought was possible, however, I do feel a bit disappointed to see that FabFilter Pro-Q 3 doesn’t feature any pitch tracking EQ as we’re seeing this type of technology introduced in more and more EQ plug-ins these days.

Pros:

• Dynamic EQ is smooth sounding and super simple to set per band.

• New m/s mode per band is a welcome addition as the previous version couldn’t provide us with the means to do both stereo and m/s within the same instance.

• Incredible value for money for an EQ plug-in which offers so many ways to shape and mangle tone

Cons:

• No pitch tracking EQ mode

Learn More About FabFilter Pro-Q 3

Current FabFilter Pro-Q 2 users need to login to their FabFilter accounts to view cross-grade offers. Visit FabFilter for more information and to download the 30 day free trial. If you have yet to try any FabFilter plug-in then we strongly suggest to start by dipping your toe in the water with FabFilter Pro-Q 3. Buy FabFilter Pro-Q 3 for £134 which represents outstanding value for money for an EQ plug-in of this caliber.

System Requirements

Windows

• 64-bit: Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista

• 32-bit: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP

• VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools

Mac OS X

• OS X 10.8 or higher

• AU or VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools

• Intel processor