Just prep yourself, my fine folks, because it is time for another free EQ VST to grace our plugin folders.
Analog Obsession is a veritable machine for churning out analog hardware emulations. Their latest EQ plugin is an analog emulation, in a sense, at least, but it isn’t based on any vaunted hardware from yesteryear.
UREQ instead functions as a custom-designed classic equalizer with a few different features to help it stand out. It is very stripped down, and intentionally so, letting us focus on mixing with our ears instead of looking at frequency analyzers and other visual aids.
The plugin offers four parametric EQ bands and a pair of filters. The four bands are switchable between set frequencies, being stepped by design. When you increase the gain, this changes the bandwidth and structure of the filter itself.
In this regard, I suppose you could say it is similar to an API 550 equalizer, but I can’t hear if it is actually a proportional Q implementation.
The low and high-pass filters function as you’d expect, with gradual slopes for tidying up signals.
UREQ really does remind me of Sonimus’s SonEQ 2 in some regards, especially as it is a bespoke custom equalizer with a limited feature set. SonEQ 2 does allow for modular construction of your own classic EQ, however.
UREQ perhaps isn’t going to be a good fit if you have a ton of EQs, which, let’s face it, you’re reading Bedroom Producers Blog, so you likely have a few.
But there are definitely some features you won’t find in most other EQ plugins. For example, it has a gain-compensated input, which is always a wonderful feature.
You can coax some sweet saturation out of it, too. I don’t mind adding another saturation tool to my ever-growing plugin folder.
I wish it compensated the output, but you’ll have to contend with that on your own.
UREQ is available for Windows and Mac computers. Supported plugin formats are VST3, AU, and AAX. It is Apple Silicon native and should be compatible with the latest Mac builds of Pro Tools.
All said, UREQ is a fun tool, but it might not fit the bill if you already have a ton of EQs. On the other end, one more EQ never hurt anyone, right?
Download: UREQ (FREE)
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9 Comments
Animus
onAre Analog Obsession plugins stable yet? I’m still afraid to use them.
Johannes
onWhen have you checked the last time? Seriously, I can’t even remember the year when Analog Obsession was unstable. Reviewers all over the globe praise AO for his plugins so take that as a gentle hint. 😉
myname
onthey are far from stable. the only eq i use from them keeps crushing my reaper from time to time. very annoying. don’t spread lies
Johannes
onI use Reaper as well. Which one is crashing? I’ve never had any issues.
t
onNever had an issue here. I use AO plugins on big projects all the time. running Reaper on M1 Mac, usually in AU form.
Lukas
onIt would be dream come true to see Analog Obsession develop a dynamic eq with UI similar to ProQ3 with analog sound where you can select different eq engine types. I know TDR Nova is a decent free dynamic eq, but it’s no match musically speaking to Analog Obsession stuff. These plugins are solid and legendary.
Tom
onI’d love to see that. So far though, Analog Obsession doesn’t seem to make the kind of complex plugin interfaces that a dynamic eq would need.
I’d be curious to know whether it’s the eq curves, the compressor behaviour, or (the lack of) saturation that makes TDR Nova not as musical as AO plugins? I’m not disagreeing at all, just looking to learn more.
Johannes
onMay I add it seems like it was inspired by the UREI 545. I guess that’s why he pointed out it is a stripped down version. I have to compare the curves to my 545 yet. Hm, I think I’m gonna do it now.
Johannes
onOkay, results are: The curves are different but in a good way. UREQ has smoother curves, even with UREI’s bandwidth set to maximum. UREQ’s overtones look authentically analog-ish.
There is something special about the curves, though: Cutting is kept narrower than boosting which is very useful if you want to cut resonances or boomy frequencies.
I gotta say, I’m very pleased with its sound.
If you want a quick and easy mix EQ you might like this one.