KH-EQ1

Name: KH-EQ1
Price: 59 USD
Author: Black Rooster Audio

by Black Rooster Audio · EQ · 5-band semi-parametric EQ with saturation

Not rated yet

A five-band semi-parametric equalizer designed with Koen Heldens, with even- and odd-order saturation on each band.

It includes a stepless mid/stereo/side router and a dry/wet blend, for $59 at Plugin Boutique.

Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Mix Bus, Mastering. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: metering, bass, colored, drums, built-in mix knob, mixing, vocals, full mix, mid/side, resizable UI, A/B compare, bus processing, CPU-light, harmonic enhancer, mastering, mix bus, static.

What it does

KH-EQ1 is a "Semi-Parametric 5-Band Equalizer" made with mix engineer Koen Heldens, the second plugin in his signature series. It is built to "add colour, not just remove problems": every band can saturate, giving the feel of pushing an analogue console strip without copying a specific unit.

Five bands: a Low End shelf (20-250 Hz), Low Mids bell (100 Hz-2.5 kHz), Mids bell (250 Hz-5 kHz), High Mids bell (1-15 kHz) and High End shelf (5-33 kHz).
Gain and bandwidth: ±18 dB per band with sweepable frequency; there is no separate Q knob, as the bandwidth is set for you.
Per-band saturation: a saturation dial on every band adding even- and odd-order harmonics, so the colour follows the frequencies you boost.
Mid/side router: a stepless control morphing between Mid, Stereo and Side processing.
Auto Listen: solos the band you are adjusting so you can find a frequency quickly.
Workflow: per-band bypass with A/B LEDs, ±24 dB input and output gain, a dry/wet blend and a VU meter switchable between input and output.
Presets: a set of custom presets by Koen Heldens.

It has HiDPI/Retina support and a PDF manual. A free 14-day trial is available.

Source: Black Rooster Audio product page

When to use it

KH-EQ1 is the pick when you want an EQ that colours as it shapes, with fast, console-style moves. Compared with FabFilter Pro-Q 4, it has fixed band types, no Q control, no analyzer and no dynamic bands, but adds per-band harmonic saturation that Pro-Q 4 does not offer. Against TDR VOS SlickEQ it is similarly quick to use, with more bands, stepless mid/side and a stronger colour option. Unlike the Pultec Passive EQ Collection or other hardware models, it is not tied to one unit's curves, so it works as a general mix EQ. HomeStudioToday felt it competes with EQs at five times its price.

Best for: colourful tone shaping on vocals, drums, bass and buses, including the master.
Genres: general purpose; it suits modern pop, hip-hop and rock mixes that want some analogue weight.
Look elsewhere if: you need surgical cuts, an analyzer or dynamic EQ; Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova do that.
Tip: HomeStudioToday suggests using Auto Listen while sweeping a band to find the right spot, and the VU meter's input/output switch for gain staging.

What producers say

The one hands-on review we found was very positive about the sound and value.

HomeStudioToday gave it 5 out of 5 and called it a "must buy", praising the sound, the multiband saturation above all, Auto Listen and low CPU load; it suits tracks, buses and the master.
Criticisms: the same reviewer missed true mid/side processing in one instance; separate mid and side treatment needs two copies of the plugin.

HomeStudioToday review

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $59

Tutorials and reviews

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