IIEQ Pro

Budget musicians life is kinda tough. I try to fit into the "you can make good song with cheap things" category as much I can, but truth is, It's not always like that. There are dozens of free or cheap plugins that do the job, even plugins inside your DAW do the job quite well, but good mix is all about fine tuning. About that little nuances. About those tiny detials that makes end results amazing.

That brings some problems... For example in definition of "what is good". When you've got $$$, then you try some real gear emulation by Softtube, Waves. Sound Toys or such, make a choice and live forever after. If you've got less money, you concetrate on "do it all" variants like things by DMG audio. (Would LOVE to have those. :/) But if you're even more pathetic, like me ... you need pretty much miracle to tune your mixes good.

Equalizers create big part of overall sound of the mix as they're most important device you use. Problem is that when you use just one for every track, your mix gets certain flavour characteristic to particular EQ. You can call up few freeones, but out of Melda and VOS teritory, not much of them will bring smile on your face. So where to next?

...exactly here! :) This dev pretty much perform the miracle you need. IIEQ is famous for being cheap, but amazingly smooth and it's absolutely true. Everything with IIEQ on it sounds a little bit nicer, slicker. Somehow it preserves low mids really well. ...and becouse this area is responsible for warmnes, you get really nice warm cuts.

Featurwise amazing too. Classic filters sound great and it also features bunch of Butterworth filters that I've met during my electrotechnic highschool, but am not sure about their benefits in music production. But just from listening, they sound really clean. Great for hihats sometimes.

Some bad sides? Well GUI could be bit more precise. But that's nothing compared to what you get fo your 30 bucks.

I compared it directly to demo of Equality. And yes, Equality is still a bigger beast. But soundwise, they both brings good qualitty to your recording. Slightly different but both good. Point is that with this pricetag you won't be ashamed to call back some DAW or free EQ when mix needs some other flavour. ...and if on budget, you'll be able to afford it! :)

I'm tired of giving tens, wanted to find something and give this 9, but I just can't. For that price, I just can't....

Conclusion? Go to watch 3 or 4 episodes of Pensado's Place. I'll guarantee you, if on budget, you'll get back with "I'll never be able to afford gear for those great mixes" depression. .... in this state, IIEQ is really "thank you, god!" kind of plugin. :)