Top 7 Best Digital Parametric EQ Plugins For Your DAW 2024
We're currently living in the age of digital audio, and in-the-box mixing within a digital audio workstation is commonplace. Plugins are, therefore, invaluable assets for the modern audio engineer.
Equalization is also invaluable, considered to be one of the most important tools in the audio engineer's toolbox.
So then it makes sense how there are so many equalizer plugins on the market. Though some parametric EQ plugins aim to emulate analog parametric EQ and even specific hardware EQs, there are plenty of digital EQ options to choose from.
In this article, we'll consider what I believe to be the top 7 stand-out digital parametric EQ plugins.
What is parametric audio equalization? Parametric EQ offers full customization of a set number of EQ filters. Each frequency band/filter may have the choice of filter type, centre/cutoff frequency, Q factor/bandwidth, and relative gain (boost/cut). It is the most flexible type of EQ.
The Top 7 Best Digital Parametric EQ Plugins Are:
- FabFilter Pro-Q 3
- Melda MAutoDynamicEq
- Voxengo PrimeEQ
- Eiosis AirEQ
- Tokyo Dawn Records Nova GE
- DMG Audio EQuilibrium
- Waves Q10
It should go without saying that any “top X” article is subject to bias. I would expect the next person's top 7 to be different from mine, but I hope there would be plenty of overlap.
That being said, I believe these plugins to be the best parametric EQ plugin options today. The criteria I used to judge these plugins include the following:
- Sonic performance: how does the parametric EQ plugin sound subjectively/objectively?
- Graphic user interface (GUI): how does the parametric EQ plugin look when loaded in the DAW?
- Ease-of-use: how user-friendly is the parametric EQ plugin?
- Functionality: how many different functions does it serve and/or how many parameters are available for the parametric EQ?
- Accessibility/compatibility: how easy is it to acquire the parametric EQ plugin, and what are the system requirements?
To learn why they made this list, let's discuss each of the top 7 best parametric EQ plugins in greater detail.
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FabFilter Pro-Q 3
The FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is an excellent fully parametric EQ plugin with up to 24 bands of completely customizable EQ filters.
Compatibility
The FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite, AU and VST formats.
The Fabfilter Pro-Q 3 is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Linear Phase EQ Plugins For Your DAW
FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is exemplary of the company's world-class plugins. This highly versatile, fully parametric EQ offers incredible sound quality and a beautiful, resizable Retina user interface. Whatever you need in an EQ, the Pro-Q 3 has it (I've added links for more detailed articles on each EQ type/function):
- Linear phase option
- Zero-latency option
- Natural phase option
- Dynamic EQ capabilities
- Per-band mono, mid-side, stereo and surround (up to Dolby Atmos 7.1.2) processing
- Intelligent solo feature
- Auto gain option
- Fully customizable spectrum analyzer (Pre-EQ, Post-EQ and external spectrum visualization)
This parametric EQ offers up to 24 user-defined bands. Add bands as you wish and select between 9 different filter shapes with slopes from 6 dB/oct to 96 dB/oct. The high-pass and low-pass filters even have a “brickwall” slope setting. Quickly add and adjust bands within the spectrum analyzer to achieve the exact EQ you need.
The Pro-Q 3 also provides superb EQ match functionality. Other features include optional collision detection for external spectrum visualization, piano roll EQ quantization, various display ranges, phase inversion and output level metering.
In typical FabFilter fashion, the Pro-Q 3 comes with interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switches, Smart Parameter Interpolation, “Help” documentation with interactive hints, sample-accurate automation, double-click text entry of parameter values and more.
With all of this power and functionality, the Pro-Q 3 uses minimal CPU and memory. Whether you need one instance or several hundred, the Pro Q-3 won't slow you down (unless you're using linear phase).
For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the FabFilter Pro-Q 3 user manual.
FabFilter
FabFilter is featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Audio Plugin (VST/AU/AAX) Brands In The World.
Melda MAutoDynamicEq
Melda MAutoDynamicEq, as the name would suggest, is a high-performance automatic EQ plugin with dynamic processing controls. It features 7 fully parametric bands.
Compatibility
The Melda MAutoDynamicEq is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.
The Melda MAutoDynamicEq is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
This parametric EQ combines dynamic and automatic EQ functionality, making it a super flexible and remarkably powerful plugin.
The sound of the MAutoDynamicEq is unbelievably transparent and musical-sounding, and with so much functionality built into its design, the plugin is especially beautiful.
Within the resizable interface, the MAutoDynamicEq shows the results of your processing along with an integrated analyzer, sonogram, spectrum areas and more.
Automatic equalization is a super powerful tool in the MAutoDynamicEq plugin. This plugin does an amazing job of matching the overall EQ of an audio signal to a defined source. The source could be a predefined analysis, a separate source recording, a user-defined EQ curve or a pre-recorded mixed or mastered track. Set up the auto EQ and let the plugin do its magic, setting up the EQ bands for you.
On the dynamic side of things, the MAutoDynamicEq features expertly crafted dynamic filters complete with sidechain control.
De-essing and bass drum enhancement are made easy without the need to reach for a compressor. This superb plugin can provide the necessary dynamic control while also offering beautiful equalization.
Each of the MAutoDynamicEq's 7 bands is fully parametric, offering frequency, Q, gain and, as mentioned, dynamic controls.
For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Melda MAutoDynamicEq user manual.
Voxengo PrimeEQ
The Voxengo PrimeEQ is a straightforward yet powerful “drag and drop” style parametric EQ plugin.
Compatibility
The Voxengo PrimeEQ is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.
The Voxengo PrimeEQ is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW.
Voxengo designed the PrimeEQ to be user-friendly. The user interface is optimized with a differential display to show exactly how each band affects the overall EQ curve. Up to 32 individual parametric filters can be added to and dragged around the display, and there are 13 filter types to choose from.
All control points are adjustable on the overall EQ shape, further improving the already efficient workflow of the PrimeEQ.
This zero-latency equalizer plugin provides a real-time FFT spectrum analyzer for the processed audio. The transparent equalization can shape the sound of individual tracks, stereo signals and busses, and even 5.1 surround formats.
Voxengo has also included a preset manager, undo/redo history, and A/B comparison features to streamline its superb equalization further. If you're ever stuck trying to figure something out in this plugin, there are also contextual hint messages to help you unlock the full potential of this powerful EQ plugin.
For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Voxengo PrimeEQ user manual.
Eiosis AirEQ
The Eiosis AirEQ is a well-laid-out and user-friendly 7-band parametric EQ plugin designed with musical, technical and sonic excellence.
Compatibility
The Eiosis AirEQ is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU, VST and RTAS (32-bit only) formats.
The Eiosis AirEQ is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW.
Eiosis has developed the AirEQ to be simple, intuitive and fast. This parametric EQ plugin sounds incredible and is remarkably powerful, given its relative simplicity.
This plugin offers transparent EQ and zero-latency processing, affording users high-end equalization in real-time without demanding much CPU. It's deeply impressive as a tracking, mixing and mastering EQ.
The Character parameter of the AirEQ alters the resonance and shape of each band “beyond analog”. Slide the control from Water through Neutral to Fire to a variety of EQ flavours.
- Water: the smoothest sound possible, open and natural, ideal for transparency. Clear highs, compact bass and balanced mids.
- Fire: very tight and focused sound, with punch and impact, ideal for precision. Snappy mids, sharp highs and powerful lows.
- Neutral: the usual equalization curves, perfectly matched to their analog references.
Adjust the low-end and high-end intuitively with the Earth and Air parameters, respectively. Use the strength knob to bring in some of the original signal for easy parallel equalization.
For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Eiosis AirEQ user manual.
Tokyo Dawn Records Nova GE
The Tokyo Dawn Records Nova is a powerful and highly versatile parametric EQ plugin with impressive functionality.
Compatibility
The Tokyo Dawn Records Nova GE is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.
The Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Nova is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
The Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Nova is a seriously versatile parametric EQ plugin that combines parallel parametric EQ capabilities with a full-featured dynamic processing section.
Needless to say, this superb plugin has plenty of applications. It may not be the most intuitive plugin, but once you understand what's under the hood and how to use it, it becomes a forceful plugin for many tasks.
The drag-and-drop display makes things easy with the Nova GE. Combine this functionality with the classic virtual knobs, and users can quickly dial in parameters in several ways.
This plugin features 4 dynamic EQ bands along with high and low-pass filters. These filters can be utilized for general parametric EQ, dynamic EQ, frequency-selective compression (i.e. de-essing), multiband compression, wideband compression and more.
Use the Mix knob to attain parallel EQ and take full advantage of the preset manager, undo/redo, A/B comparison, detailed documentation, copy & paste, and other top-notch functions.
For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Tokyo Dawn Records Nova GE user manual.
DMG Audio EQuilibrium
The DMG Audio EQuilibrium is a custom-designed parametric EQ tool for audio professionals, drawing upon 50 years of EQ heritage.
Compatibility
The DMG Audio EQuilibrium is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.
The DMG Audio EQuilibrium is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW.
DMG Audio's EQuilibrium is an excellent user-adaptable parametric EQ with an impressive feature set, capable of handling all critical equalization applications. It demands very little CPU and can be selected to work in FIR mode, Linear, Analogue, Minimum, Zero-Latency Analogue or even Free Phase control.
This plugin has 32 fully parametric bands of EQ with adjustable Q and a ±36 dB gain range. Choose between peak, high-pass, low-pass, shelf, bells or notch filters in digital or analog styles. Use it in stereo, mid-side or even surround sound.
Configure the user interface to benefit your specific workflow. Choose the analyzer style or spectrograph in the display and set up a piano roll for instrument equalization, among many other features.
To cover all the features of this spectacular EQ plugin, I would need an entirely separate article. For more information on this top pick, check out the user manual in the link in the following paragraph.
For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the DMG Audio EQuilibrium user manual.
Waves Q10
The Waves Q10 is a multiband paragraphic EQ with 10 bands of customizable high-precision equalization.
Compatibility
The Waves Q10 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.
Waves' Q10 is a superb equalizer for mixing and mastering. It's incredibly precise, easy to use and optimal for subtle colouring and surgical repairing alike.
Users can choose between the classic Legacy or the new Modern user interface to best suit their workflow. Processing control can be selected between 32-bit and double-precision 64-bit processing. Each GUI offers easy access to the well-defined controls of this awesome parametric EQ.
Each of the 10 bands offers 6 different filter types and complete control over the gain, frequency, and Q. The Waves Q10 is configurable either as two independent mono equalizers or as a high-precision stereo equalizer.
For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Waves Q10 user manual.
Waves
Waves is featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Audio Plugin (VST/AU/AAX) Brands In The World.
Former Top Digital Parametric EQ Plugin Picks
Here are plugins that used to be on this list and the reasons they are no longer.
iZotope Neutron 3 (Discontinued/Upgraded)
The iZotope Neutron 3 (discontinued/upgraded to version 4) was a fully-featured 6-module mixing tool with intelligent Mix Assistant and Track Assistant technology that suggests an overall mix automatically. This super powerful mixing plugin featured all the mixing essentials and includes, of course, a superb parametric EQ. It was featured in this article from 2021 (original publishing year) to 2023.
Compatibility
The iZotope Neutron 3 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats. In addition to the Mix Assistant and Visual Mixer, it features 6 other modules: Sculptor, Transient Shaper, Exciter, Gate, Compressor and, of course, Equalizer.
This genuinely impressive mixing suite has an equally impressive equalizer module. Though we'll focus on the Equalizer module in this article, feel free to check out the Neutron Documentation for more information on the plugin.
This powerful parametric EQ module features 4 different displays: Spectrum analyzer, composite EQ curve, Filter response curve and meter scales. Though we should be relying mostly on our ears when EQing a signal, these visual aids can certainly help us out.
Up to 12 fully parametric bands can be easily added and removed from the EQ, including a high-pass/high-shelf and low-pass/low-shelf filter. Each band features a discrete utility menu with static and dynamic mode controls (except the pass filters), as well as access to Neutron's powerful sidechaining capabilities.
In dynamic mode, each parametric band has its own threshold, direction (upward or downward) and sidechain parameters in addition to the Q, frequency and gain controls. Use the internal/program signal as the sidechain or any external signal to trigger the dynamic EQ bands. The resulting EQ boost or cut will engage as the threshold is passed (can be set above or below).
iZotope Ozone 9 EQ (Discontinued/Upgraded)
The iZotope Ozone 9 Equalizer Module (discontinued/upgraded to version 11) was part of iZotope's famed Ozone mastering suite. Its Equalizer module was among the best of the best parametric EQ plugins. It was featured in this article from 2021 (original publishing year) to 2022.
Compatibility
The iZotope Ozone 9 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.
iZotope's Ozone 9 actually contains three different EQ modules: the Equalizer, Dynamic EQ and Vintage EQ.
The Ozone 9 Equalizer Module is a versatile parametric EQ combining asymmetrical analog-matched filters with high-precision digital linear phase filters. Whether we're the gentle warmth of analog-style EQ or the surgical exactness of digital-style EQ, the Ozone 9 Equalizer will deliver superior results without fail.
Ozone 9's Dynamic EQ features 8 parametric bands of adjustable filters and a variety of filter shapes. Use the Equalizer for the initial shaping of your master, then take advantage of Post-EQ later in the signal chain.
Note that the Vintage EQ is based on the famous Pultec equalizers, which are not fully parametric.
Within the Ozone 9 mastering suite, we can use the Equalizers for the initial shaping of the master bus and follow it up with the Post-EQ later in the signal chain. Of course, the Equalizer Module can also be used on its own to EQ individual tracks or mix buses with superb results.
Use the Ozone 9 in stereo (left/right) or mid-side processing modes to ensure the stereo field is being EQed to your exact liking.
Depending on the desired results, the Ozone 9 Dynamic EQ and Equalizer bands can also be selected as analog minimum-phase IIR filters or digital linear-phase FIT filters. The analog filters mesh together nicely when applied gently and do not create any pre-ringing, though they do cause frequency-dependent phase shifting. The digital filters cost more CPU but are much more clinical and precise and do not cause phase shift (though they are prone to pre-ringing).
Sonible smart:EQ 2 (Discontinued/Upgraded)
The Sonible smart:EQ 2 (discontinued/upgraded to version 4), as the name suggests, was an intelligent parametric EQ plugin. It was featured in this article in 2021 (original publishing year).
Compatibility
The Sonible smart:EQ 2 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.
This intelligent parametric EQ plugin utilizes Sonible's proprietary smart:engine learning engine and artificial intelligence to correct tonal imbalances in audio signals with incredible precision and dependability.
The Sonible smart:EQ 2 effectively analyzes the audio and generates a custom EQ curve to produce a natural-sounding balance.
Though the sonic possibilities are virtually endless, the smart:EQ 2 is incredibly focused on achieving the best results with the fastest workflow. A few parameter adjustments will allow the smart:EQ 2 to augment the detail and clarity of a mix with ease.
Not only is the A.I. expedient in analyzing and producing results, but the intuitive user interface is also a blessing for improving workflow speed. With easily accessible controls and a high-definition analyzer (with pre, post and pre/post settings), we can efficiently get the results we're after in a fraction of the time it would take with classic EQ units.
The smart:EQ 2 offers plenty of filter options and even includes mid-side processing.
The smart:EQ 2 comes with several profiles (presets) for content-aware audio processing and allows users to save their own. These profiles will provide a superb starting point for EQ and adapt to the audio signal in question to generate professional results with a simple click of a button.
Choosing the best audio plugins for your DAW can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Audio Plugins Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next audio plugin purchases.
Other Top Audio Plugin Articles
Here are additional My New Microphone articles regarding the best audio plugins by type:
• Top 11 Best Distortion Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Saturation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 8 Best Graphic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Linear Phase EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Parametric EQ Emulation Plugins For DAWs
• Top 8 Best Passive EQ Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best FET Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Optical Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 10 Best Multiband Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Variable-Mu Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 11 Best VCA Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Limiter Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Channel Strip Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Chorus Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Flanger Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Phaser Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Tremolo Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Analog Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Delay Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Tape Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 12 Best Reverb Plugins (Spring, Plate, Algorithmic, Convolution)
• Top 9 Best Stereo Imaging Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Guitar Amp Simulator Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 7 Best Noise Reduction Plugins For Your DAW
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