All-new plug-in company Plugin Alliance has announced the Mäag Audio EQ4 – the first plug-in from elite American manufacturer, Mäag Audio.
Developed in collaboration with the Plugin Alliance, the EQ4 plug-in models Mäag Audio’s EQ4 (500 Series) single-channel, six-band equaliser as a cost-effective alternative for Mac OS-X, Windows and Avid Venue (VST 2.4, VST 2.3, RTAS, AU, AAX).
Like its hardware counterpart, the EQ4 offers tight low-end plus Mäag Audio’s Air Band technology – a sweepable high-frequency filter that goes up to 40kHz, designed by company founder Cliff Maag.
The EQ4’s band-pass filters (Air Band boost-only shelf at 2.5kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, 20kHz or 40kHz; 2.5kHz fixed boost and cut shelf; 650Hz fixed boost and cut bell; 160Hz fixed boost and cut bell; 40Hz fixed boost and cut bell; Sub/10Hz fixed boost and cut bell) all interact with each other. Increasing the Air Gain (+15dB) also slightly increases the overall gain – a normal and necessary byproduct of the design to maintain sound integrity – as the Air Band interacts (sums) with the other band-pass filters.
Both the original EQ4 and spin-off EQ4 plug-in can compensate for added overall gain by lowering the five band-pass potentiometers in equal amounts to ensure the EQ remains the same shape, yet lower the overall gain – a different approach to typical equalisers from other manufacturers.
The EQ4 plug-in’s extra Level Trim can, alternatively, be used to lower overall gain, if needed. Meanwhile, Alt/click toggles between a reset for each band and the last status, enabling users to easily bypass individual bands.
Available in 64-bit and 32-bit versions, the Mäag Audio EQ4 can be purchased and downloaded (in all Mac OS-X, Windows, and TDM/VENUE formats) for an introductory price of US$179 (increasing to US$229 from 3 March 2012).
According to Mäag Audio, audio gear isn’t the most important thing in life, but to us it’s pretty close to AIR on the ‘got-to-have-it’ list.
See also:
Plugin Alliance
More: www.plugin-alliance.com
