Mixing
EQ plug-ins for mixing electronic music
The question Which EQ plug-in should I use for mixing electronic music?
Short answer
Most electronic mixes need two things from EQ: clean static shaping, and dynamic EQ for frequencies that are only a problem some of the time, such as a kick and bass sharing the same low end.
TDR Nova is a free dynamic EQ with four dynamic bands and high- and low-pass filters, and is the obvious first step beyond a host's stock EQ.
FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is the most complete option here: up to 24 bands, dynamic EQ on every bell and shelf, spectral dynamics, three phase modes and mid/side processing per band.
What electronic mixes ask of an EQ
Electronic music concentrates a lot of energy in the low end and often layers several synthetic sources that occupy similar ranges. EQ work therefore splits into three jobs: cleaning up (filtering out what each part doesn't need), shaping (static boosts and cuts for tone) and managing collisions that only happen at certain moments.
That third job is where static EQ falls short. A cut that tames a bass resonance when the kick hits also thins the bass between kicks. Dynamic EQ applies the cut only when the band crosses a threshold, or when triggered by another signal through a side chain.
- Dynamic EQ bands, ideally with side-chain triggering for kick/bass relationships.
- Mid/side processing, so you can treat the stereo edges separately from the centre (for example, filtering lows out of the sides).
- Phase mode choice: zero-latency for tracking and live use, linear phase for mastering-style work where phase shift matters.
- A spectrum analyser to locate problems quickly.
The options
Free dynamic EQ
TDR NovaTokyo Dawn Labs
TDR Nova is a free parallel dynamic equaliser with four dynamic bands plus separate high- and low-pass filters. That covers the core dynamic-EQ jobs in an electronic mix (kick/bass control, taming resonances that only appear on certain notes) without spending anything.
It is available on macOS, Windows and Linux. A paid Gentleman's Edition adds more bands and further dynamics features if you outgrow the free version.
Worth knowing
- Four dynamic bands can be limiting on a busy bus. Tokyo Dawn's format table needs a per-OS check; see the product record.
From the manufacturer's documentation
- Parallel dynamic equaliser.
- Four dynamic EQ bands plus separate high-pass and low-pass filters.
- Bands can be low shelf, bell or high shelf, from 10 Hz to 40 kHz.
Complete mixing and mastering EQ
FabFilter Pro-Q 4FabFilter
Pro-Q 4 combines up to 24 bands with optional dynamic EQ on any bell or shelf, a spectral dynamics mode for treating problem frequencies more precisely, and per-band mid/side or left/right processing.
Its three phase modes (zero latency, linear phase and Natural Phase) mean one EQ can cover tracking, mixing and mastering duties. EQ Match and the Instance list, which shows every Pro-Q 4 in the session, are useful when balancing many layered parts.
Worth knowing
- It is a paid product; FabFilter offers a 30-day trial.
From the manufacturer's documentation
- Up to 24 EQ bands.
- Optional Dynamic EQ on all bell and shelf bands, with adjustable attack and release.
- Dynamic range per band from -30 to +30 dB (negative values compress, positive values expand), with an automatic threshold option.
- Each dynamic band can trigger from the plug-in input or the external side-chain input, using the band's own frequency range or a free trigger range set with low- and high-cut filters.
- Spectral dynamics act only on the frequencies within a band that exceed the threshold, rather than changing the whole band's gain. Spectral bands always use linear-phase processing, so they add latency.
If you already use Logic Pro
Channel EQApple
Channel EQ is included with Logic Pro: eight bands (high- and low-pass, two shelves and four parametric bands) with a built-in FFT analyser. For static shaping it is entirely capable.
Worth knowing
- Apple's documentation describes no dynamic EQ mode for Channel EQ, so for dynamic work pair it with a dynamic EQ such as TDR Nova.
From the manufacturer's documentation
- Eight colour-coded bands: low-pass and high-pass filters, low and high shelves, and four parametric bands.
- Built-in FFT analyser that shows the frequency curve in real time.
- Shares its parameter set with Logic's Linear Phase EQ.
Side by side
| FabFilter Pro-Q 4 | TDR Nova | Channel EQ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Free | Included with host |
| Plug-in formats | VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP, AAX, AudioSuite, AUv3 | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX | Built-in |
| macOS | macOS 10.13 or later, 64-bit only, Apple Silicon or Intel; requires an AU, VST 2/3 or CLAP host, or Pro Tools | Mac OS X 10.9 or higher | Logic Pro requires macOS 14.4 or later |
| Windows | Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 or Vista, 64-bit or 32-bit; requires a VST 2/3 or CLAP host, or Pro Tools | Windows Vista or higher | Not supported or not listed |
| Linux | Not supported or not listed | x86-64 with GLIBC 2.14 or higher | Not supported or not listed |
| Dynamic EQEditorial | All bell and shelf bands | Four dynamic bands | Not documented |
| Band countEditorial | Up to 24 | 4 + HP/LP filters | 8 |
How to choose
- Use your host's stock EQ for routine static shaping. It is rarely the limiting factor.
- Add TDR Nova when you need dynamic EQ. It is free.
- Choose FabFilter Pro-Q 4 if you want one EQ for every job, need more than four dynamic bands, or work on immersive mixes.[1][2]
For a closer look at the two third-party options, see FabFilter Pro-Q 4 vs TDR Nova: is the paid EQ worth it?.
Questions
- What is the difference between dynamic EQ and multiband compression?
- Both change level in a frequency range depending on the signal. A dynamic EQ band uses an EQ filter shape (bell or shelf) and acts like a moving EQ boost or cut; a multiband compressor splits the signal with crossovers and compresses each band. For narrow, surgical problems, dynamic EQ is usually the more precise tool.
- Do I need linear phase EQ?
- Rarely for individual tracks. Linear phase avoids phase shift between bands at the cost of latency and possible pre-ringing. It is most useful when EQing parallel or multi-mic sources, or on a master bus. FabFilter Pro-Q 4 offers it as one of three modes.[2]