apulSoft / apQualizr 2

[Piet De Ridder]

In case you feel you could do with another EQ plug-in, I strongly recommend checking out apulSoft’s apQualizr2. Not only is it a high-quality, great-sounding equalizer, but also one that is equipped with features you won’t even find in the new Fabfilter ProQ4 or the Kirchoff.

apQualizr2 has everything you’d expect a high-end software EQ to have, and on top of that it has a very advanced modulation system — one that even includes modulation via MIDI — to control and/or keytrack filter parameters with. Meaning, among many other things, that you can ‘play’ this equalizer like an instrument (as you can see and hear in the last video below).

Among the available filters are also ‘harmonic filterbanks’: if you boost or cut a certain frequency using these banks, apQualizr2 will automatically boost or cut other frequencies in the harmonic series of the chosen base frequency. By how much is entirely configurable. (Also demonstrated in one of the videos below.)

Lots more to tell, but the best and quickest way to get an idea of the powers of apQualizr2, apart from downloading the demo and trying this thing out for yourself, is to watch a few videos. There aren’t that many, so this won’t take up too much of your time.

I bought the complete apulSoft bundle two weeks ago, because not only the apQualizr2, but also the apShaper and apVerb made a very, very strong impression.







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[Lawrence]

Interesting looking product, creative YouTube video. The GUI is a bit unattractive but it looks clear enough and I don't care much about pretty GUIs.

As it happens, I've been toying with the idea of buying a higher end EQ. The one everyone seems to have is the Fabfilter you mentioned. In your opinion, is this product as good sounding? It's more reasonably priced for me as I don't own any Fabfilter products.

[Piet De Ridder]

(...) In your opinion, is this product as good sounding?

Every bit as good, Larry.

Pro-Q is easier and quicker to work with though. While I'm not a big fan of the FabFilter GUI's — strictly visually, I mean (don't like their blobby shapes and colour schemes) —, they are well thought-out, very cleverly put together and easy to work with, I find. apQualizr isn't quite as instantly intuitive.

That being said, all it takes is a bit of time and practice to get used to how things are implemented, to get the hang of how everything works, and you should gradually begin to feel perfectly comfortable with a plug-in that may at first appeared a little daunting. (An impression the apQualizr certainly gives.) I have not quite reached that point yet with the apQualizr, but I'm getting there.

If I were you, I'd download the demo, get to know a bit and work with it for a while, and then you'll know if it's for you or not.

If you find it isn't, but you're still interested in a very, very good EQ, maybe also have a look at the Crave EQ. Functionality-wise, it may be on the spartan side (compared to Pro-Q and apQualizr anyway), but it's indisputably one of the great EQ's. The standard version — which is what I use — is €59, and there's also the so-called 'Transient' version (€119) which adds dynamic EQ and SplitEQ-like differentiation between transient and stationary processing.

In case you wonder why I have so many EQ’s (the complete list is of a depraved length): of course I’m aware (and I agree with the viewpoint) that you could do 99,99% of all EQ’ing jobs with a single excellent EQ like the Pro-Q or DMG Equilibrium or the apQualizr or whatever, but I often find that different designs inspire you to try or do different things, and often with good result. If you only have one EQ to work with, there's a risk you become routine-eous in your EQ-decisions, always going for the same approach. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but in some cases it might not be what’s needed.

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[Luke]

That looks like an incredible playground of experimentation, Piet.

Larry, another option that I keep meaning to try out when time permits, may be Toneboosters Equalizer Pro. It's equipped with all sorts of useful filters and functions, including dynamics and transient/sustain control among others, and all for a very reasonable ~$60.

[Lawrence]

Thanks Piet and Luke. Interesting times, lots of good choices.
ApQualuzer 2 looks very creative indeed, I’ll look into Crave and Toneboosters.

As an aside, I know they all can do it, but what’s your personal favorite for radio/tv filter? I used to love Opcode’s Vinyl and sometimes use the Izotope plug in of the same name (I think) but it doesn’t sound as good to me. Thoughts?

[wst3]

Every once in a while I am tempted to delete all but one or two EQ plugins, I mean who needs all these plugins???

I've just never been able to choose which ones to keep.

For the most part I am happy with my collection, the majority of which are emulations (I know I complain about emulations, but dang if they don't sound great!). One of my more recent additions was from Blackbird Studios - their MO-Q sounds really good, and definitely has a vibe.

Of the more sensible (read not trying to be a clone of something) my favorites are the SPL PQ and any (all?) of the MAAG plugins. I suppose one could argue that the Maag is a faithful emulation, but I'm not leaning that way.

The Brainworx Digital EQ is pretty darned cool, although it has a very specific sound that I do not always appreciate.

And the Three Body Kirchoff EQ is amazing - tried the demo, haven't made the purchase yet, but might, depending on the trial for the apQualizr.

I know this will earn me looks of distrust, but I am not a fan of Pro-Q, I think it probably has something to do with the UI, but I just don't get along with it. I do need to check out both Crave and Toneboosters (I may have already tried the later).

[Piet De Ridder]

I don’t have Pro-Q either, but that’s more out of a silly, obstinate refusal to buy what everybody says you have to have. I did demo Pro-Q at length though, and it is, there’s no denying it, a magnificent piece of EQ-software.

The only FabFilter plug-ins I have, are Saturn and Volcano. I did learn A LOT watching FabFilter/Worrall videos though, so perhaps I ought to buy some more FabFilter stuff as a way of saying thanks.

Before apQualizr elbowed its way in, the EQ’s I used (and will keep using) most often are the DMG Equilibrium, the Goodhertz ToneControl, the Crave, the two UA Massenburgs, the Vertigo VSE-2 and VSE-4, plus a couple from Acustica Audio.

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[Thomas Mavian]

May I be so bold to throw in another option? Toneboosters Equalizer Pro. It has almost all functions of the above mentioned plus a few which they don't have, like EQ only the ambient part of the sound.

https://toneboosters.com/tb_equalizer_pro.html

The guy behind it works for Dolby Labs so I guess that's why the plugins are on the cheap side (meaning that he doesn't "need" to charge that much since he has a full-time job already).

[wst3]

The only FabFilter plug-ins I have, are Saturn and Volcano.

Funny, I have Volcano and Timeless, and would not trade them out.

Before apQualizr elbowed its way in, the EQ’s I used (and will keep using) most often are the DMG Equilibrium, the Goodhertz ToneControl, the Crave, the two UA Massenburgs, the Vertigo VSE-2 and VSE-4, plus a couple from Acustica Audio.

That is quite the collection!

The Massenburg EQs are amazing. Pulsar has a nice GML EQ plugin as well (8300)

Beyond that I tend to favor emulations of hardware I used eons ago, the API and Trident being at the top of the list.

For EQs that are not emulations, the MAAG family comes to mind (although technically I guess they are emulations? - Come to think of it, they are all emulations of hardware, just not the classics)