FabFilter

Hello all, I just wanted to give some user feedback for the recent plugin updates, and just share a general wishful suggestion.

I personally would have rather seen a Dynamic Eq as a separate tool, not implemented in the ProQ line. Instead of that new feature, I would have much rather paid for an upgrade to add the new filter types and drive knob that went into Volcano 3 as new options in the ProQ line. Im a mixer, and would find the different saturation types invaluable directly in my go to Eq; and I dont do a ton of synth work where I need modulation, so Volcano seems like a great tool that I dont necessarily need, although I do think it should stay as is, it's rad!

As for the implementation of the Dynamic portion in ProQ 3, it works, but isn't nearly as tweaky as id like, so it itself comes up short as it does most of the work in the background. Not being able to control the internal sidechain for each band means it is far less useful than the other Dynamic Eqs that I have.

My vote is to make that a separate plugin completely, and then add the awesome filters and drive knob from Volcano3 into ProQ3.

Thanks for considering my opinion. You all have done some magic with all of your tools, and im very grateful, bit I just wanted to share my thoughts. Still haven't been able to pull the trigger on Volcano3, but I'd pay that amount in a heartbeat if the filters and drive options went into ProQ3, even as an "add on pack".

Just to show my support for the work, and after consideration of "how it is", I just bought Volcano3. Hopefully having 2 go to "EQs" won't be too burdensome. Id still really, really like to access the Filter Types and Drive directly in ProQ3 though. One day!

Thanks again for all the great tools.

Hi Ma Ja,

If you need more control over timing and side-chain of your dynamic eq'ing you can check out Pro-MB instead of Pro-Q.

I definitely love the ProMB! It solves a lot of problems that are difficult to solve without, but it has its limitations too. Would you consider ProMB a Dynamic EQ? The fact that you can't squeeze the band's width down any more than it goes is pretty limiting for surgical type fixes. Maybe that's all I'd really need- is the ability for ProMB filters to be as tight as ProQ Eq filters, because the side chain capabilities are excellent! The side chain can focus on hyper narrow bands, buy the filter can't. DynEQ from BX gets super tight, but im not a fan of the way it's implemented. Minor update?.. Please!

but*

I disagree entirely with the suggestion to remove the dynamic equaliser features from Pro-Q and put them into a separate plugin. Separating static and dynamic EQ has never made any sense. I should not have to reach for a different plugin just because I need one or two bands to be dynamic. It makes perfect sense to be able to switch every band in an EQ plugin between being static and being dynamic, and this flexibility greatly improves the usability and workflow of an EQ.

I do agree that the dynamic EQ features in Pro-Q 3 are still a bit limited (I personally am missing upward compression and downward expansion modes), but they should definitely remain inside Pro-Q 3 and be expanded there.

I started using Volcano 3, and am sad that it doesn't have the same band controls as ProQ3. Based on the limitations of the Q width (why?), and the Gain range (why?), I really, really need those filter styles and Drive knob from Volcano3 inside of ProQ3! Also, Volcano3 is not as quick to dial in the bands without having the Frequency, Q, and Gain controls where they normally would be on ProQ3. Why (again)!???

Also, the lack of a "Solo" feature per band is very disappointing too. If Volcano3 had the same band controls as ProQ3, could solo, and the Q and Gain were capable of ProQ's full range, I'd be very happy with it. Until then... both plugins will have me wanting more, now that I know FF is holding back features in each. In theory, id like to boost frequencies (wide Q, which it can't do), with the variety of filter styles with saturation in Volcano, and I want to continue to do my clean surgical cuts in ProQ.

User Request (refined)-
Pro Q3 with added Filter Styles and Drive from Volcano3
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Or
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Volcano3 with the band controls from ProQ3, including full Q width, Gain range, and the solo feature. It would also be nice to see the gain amount by db rather than a percentage, but I won't complain if that doesn't happen.

I would have never thought, in a filter plugin from FF, that the band controls would be so different from ProQ3. It'd be like if Adobe changed the Pen Tool controls between Photoshop and Illustrator! It doesn't make any sense. You all made the best "Pen Tool" (ProQ's band control options), and then you all don't consistently implement it across all of your similar plugins.

Im thinking I won't be able to use Volcano3 as I had originally intended based on the current workings of it. It's simply not capable enough, with the Q width limitations especially. That's actually the one intentional limitation that's keeping me from finding full value in Volcano3. The rest of my requests are just workflow related and I can get around them, but the Q width is frustrating and can't be worked around.

I thought I'd be able to semi-retire SlickEQ (sweet "filter styles") after buying Volcano3 (sweeter filter styles), and using it in what now seems to be off label use.

@plf If the Dynamics controls are limited to what ProQ3 currently offers, then id rather see a separate plugin, like I originally suggested. But, if they were to give us control of those missing features (internal side chain, Q width, etc), then yeah, id want them together too.

Hi Ma Ja,

One workaround I find myself doing more and more in Volcano 3 is using 2 shelfs to make a bell with a specific width.

Some of the more traditional parameters like gain and Q were left out of Volcano 3 as it was intended more as a filter you would find in a synth than as an EQ. But because of the drive and styles, more and more people start using it as a character EQ. However, please note that a lot of character EQ's modeling analog hardware have these same limitations. People are just not used that FabFilter plug-ins have limited features :-)

That makes me sad. Please make one of these plugins capable of using the Filter Styles like a real EQ. All the hard work is done, just let us have it!