FabFilter User Forum
Can Pro-Q 4 replace Pro-Q 3 in ongoing projects?
Hi,
I recently purchased FabFilter Pro-Q 4 and noticed it installs as a separate plugin rather than replacing Pro-Q 3. While working on an ongoing mix, it would save resources if I could swap Pro-Q 3 for Pro-Q 4 without having to manually add it as a new plugin. Is there a way to do this seamlessly?
Benny — Dec 12, 2024
Not really..... I just did a single instance conversion in ProTools by manually copying automation lanes. Ended up copying (one by one) 150 or so lanes - and that's doable - but there are some new lanes in Pro Q4.
Additionally the slope of filters is now continuously variable rather than being detented at 12 / 18 / 24 / 30 etc. So that parameter cannot be directly copied and needs to be set manually.
If you don't have active automation, the conversion would be simple.
Also be advised that Spectral in / out is NOT automated because it changes the delay compensation for the session. Also also - if you change a band that has dymanics to Spectral, it will dramatically change the sound - so you'd have to do that from scratch to have it be meaningful.
My thoughts at this point would be don't bother unless it's really necessary - just add a Pro Q4 after an existing Pro Q3 and play around with it...
Hi Jonathan,
Thank you for your response. Now I understand that it’s not possible to replace Q3 with Q4, and I’ll have to see them as two separate plugins. I’m a bit disappointed that the Spectral feature introduces delay—I tested it, and it caused an audible click in the sound from other tracks when automating Spectral in.
I’ve always appreciated FabFilter for never causing issues with automation or glitches, so this feels a bit disappointing. I hope this can be addressed; otherwise, I’ll have to view this as a completely different type of plugin and not an update of Q3.