EQ is traditionally for creative treatments or used as a problem fixer. Here we check out one tool that not only completely rethinks the point of EQ, but also does the hard work so the engineer doesn’t have to… Hear it in action in audio examples video.

In Summary

Wavesfactory Equalizer sets out to restore sounds to their natural state. This is decided by 32 automatically targeted filters that either cut ‘hot’ frequencies, or boost the ones that need a little help. Although it lands with handy controls for refining the results, engineers can simply just dial in the Amount and move on.

Going Deeper

EQ - What’s The Point?

In the early days of recording it became apparent that a little tonal control after the mic could be a good thing. The first EQs were designed to literally equalise the response, compensating for factors that skewed the recorded sound away from the natural sound in the room. Initially taking the form of simple filters and shelves, engineers found that exaggerated settings could make sounds more pleasing or larger than life, and as EQ innovations evolved so too did the creative possibilities.

Despite this, at its heart, the EQ still exists to restore a balance of frequencies. This can be either a creative one, or a curve that gets back to where a sound ‘should’ be with the EQ in its original intended role.

Wavesfactory Equalizer

Putting a new spin on restoring and equalising sounds in the purest sense is Wavesfactory Equalizer. This aims to restore sounds to their natural state. This is decided by 32 automatically targeted filters that either cut ‘hot’ frequencies, or boost the ones that need a little help. Below we check out its features and sounds on a drum submix, acoustic guitar and electric piano. After deciding on the Amount, we then go on to explore its extra controls that allow the engineer to inform Equalizer’s output. We then strap it across our entire mix for some intelligent refinement across the board.

Equalizer Features And Controls

• 32 filters are automatically assigned a target level for each frequency.

• Amount control determines the magnitude of positive (boost) or negative (cut) adjustments towards each target level.

• Cut and Boost controls can override or reduce Equalizer’s adjustments. Delta monitoring is provided.

• Attack and Release time controls adjust filters’ response times.

• M/S control allows M or S channel operation, stereo operation (at centre “50” position), or continuously variable settings.

• Tilt can shift overall response for darker or brighter treatments.

• Autogain regulates output level for dry/wet matching.

• Breakpoints can be drawn in to bias the Amount across the 32 filters.

Final Thoughts

Going back to the original purpose of EQ, Wavesfactory Equalizer does a great job of getting sounds back to where they really ‘should’ be. That’s not necessarily flat, but ironing out the bumps on something like a bumpy electric piano or lopsided acoustic guitar is definitely second nature to Equalizer.

Although it lands with handy controls for refining the results, engineers can simply just dial in the Amount and move on - sometimes backing off the Amount can turn in the most transparent results, or of course getting the best sound before it hits Equalizer. The Delta and Tilt controls are especially welcome for anyone who likes to hear into the results and tip the balance when needed.

Apparently Equalizer came about when its creator saw an engineer slavishly attempting to iron out all the frequencies on a snare drum that were showing as above or below the line on their EQ’s analyser. Ten years development later, Wavesfactory have added to their arsenal and have given us their take on restorative justice for any source. As it was pointed out to us, it’s surprising that no-one thought to take this name earlier for this latest stab at audio plugin purism…

A Word About This Article

As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.