A web search for “best VST EQ” turns up dozens of pages that mention the Paris EQ VST, but for reasons I haven’t been able to figure out, the plugin and its author Matt Craig have dropped off the face of the Internet.
That’s a pity, because the plugin is fantastic. Although it’s colorful, so not appropriate for every EQ task, it’s sometimes perfect for bass guitar and vocals (I referenced the Paris EQ in my best free vocal plugins article.) On some material, I’ve even preferred the Paris EQ VST over the much more expensive Waves REQ.
I saved the install file I downloaded, so as a service to my fellow homerecordists who may not have a chance to try the plugin, here’s a link:
And here’s Matt’s description of the plugin from the readme file:
The Paris VST EQ is a 4-band parametric stereo VST equaliser plugin utilising the same algorithm as the E-mu/Ensoniq Paris system. It offers the same musicality and quirkiness as the original including soft-limiting, grungy distortion ability, and resonant behaviour under certain conditions.
Previously only accessible to those who owned the Paris custom DSP hardware, this unique EQ is now available to all PC DAW users.
(Note that it’s Windows-only.)
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Well, I’ll be… After I spent an hour finally locating a working download for this plug not but yesterday, here you are with the file. :-P I’ve been playing with this one for a while, and I’m quite amazed at how musical it is, though it can definitely be pushed into making some weird noises. It’s definitely not a transparent, surgical-strike type of EQ.
I’ve also been playing with NyquistEQ, and have been impressed with it, the few minutes I’ve had to play around so far.
AMAZING! I think you are the only one in the entire world who has this available on the web. Thank you! And I’ve now subscribed to your blog…
I am pretty psyched about the Paris EQ … switched to HD3 after my paris rig gave out. Any plans for VST on Mac (please, please, please) and if so, WHEN?
THanks man, you rock !!!
Jan,
I wouldn’t hold my breath, I’m afraid :-(
Matt, the plugin’s original author, is nowhere to be found, so I doubt there’s be any updates.
Have you checked out the NYquist EQ? http://magnus.smartelectronix.com/
It’s less intuitive, but way more powerful.
The NYquist is quite powerful, and has a reasonably transparent/focused sound for a freebie. But the complete lack of numerical guide points (e.g. 20hz, 40hz, 80hz, 320hz, 1khz, etc, etc) makes it hard to use. In a way, that should actually be a good thing, as it forces you to use your *ears* instead of your eyes. But I still don’t like it! :)
I’m gonna check out this Paris thing now.
So far, nothing I’ve tried beats the EQ module within Ozone3, so I tend to use that on most tracks that need EQ. I demo’d the Blue Cat parametric EQ, but it’s less user-friendly than Ozone (you can’t drag the nodes around with your mouse), and no better sounding.
Hello everyone on the topic of very good freeware EQ plug-ins: have you guys tried out Bootsy’s Boot EQ plug-in and his ‘Nasty Series’ Colouring LF, Mids and HF series plug-ins. If you have not tried them i highly recommend them and they are also freeware (albeit PC VST Only format). There are two places where you can find information and download links:
http://www.rekkerd.org (Simple overview of the plug-ins with download link)
http://www.kvraudio.com (numerous threads about bootsy’s plug-ins as well as download links)
If you have already tried them or have them i am sorry for bigging them up but if you have not the you are for a treat everyone
Hope you find them useful
Nekro