DirectionalEQ
by DDMF · EQ · Stereo-direction EQ
Not rated yet
DirectionalEQ is an equalizer that lets you EQ each direction in the stereo field separately, not only left/right or mid/side.
It has five bands per direction, 64-bit processing and 2x oversampling, and can also pan frequencies, for $39.
Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Drum Bus, Keys & Synths. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: full mix, creative, oversampling, bus processing, mid/side, wide, bass, clean, drum bus, mastering, mix bus, mixing, mono, musical, room mics, static, surgical.
What it does
DirectionalEQ combines EQ with panning so you can "equalize all directions in the stereo field independently". DDMF's example is more bass at 2 o'clock and less midrange at 11 o'clock, something a normal L/R or mid-side EQ can't do.
- Five bands: parametric bands with gain, frequency, Q and filter type, each aimed at a position in the stereo field.
- Direction: a Degree control from -45 to +45 degrees picks where in the stereo image each band acts.
- Directional gain: up to 20 dB of boost or cut in the chosen direction.
- Filter types: a range of types including band-pass, notch and shelving filters.
- Frequency panning: move a frequency range to another spot in the stereo field, or spread a mono sound across it.
- Band solo and mute: each band can be soloed or muted to hear what it is doing.
- Quality: 64-bit processing with 2x oversampling.
Free demos are available.
When to use it
DirectionalEQ is the pick when a problem or an opportunity sits at one spot in the stereo image rather than in the centre or the sides. Compared with the mid-side modes of FabFilter Pro-Q 4 or DDMF's own IIEQPro, which only split a mix into centre and sides, it can target any angle across the stereo field. It is also a creative panner, which a regular EQ is not: it can move or spread frequency ranges across the image. Compared with Pro-Q 4 it has a much plainer interface with less visual feedback, but it costs far less.
- Best for: fixing or brightening a specific spot in a stereo mix or overhead pair, spreading mono sources, and creative frequency panning.
- Genres: any.
- Look elsewhere if: plain mid-side EQ is enough, or you want a large spectrum display; IIEQPro or Pro-Q 4 cover that.
- Tip: solo and mute bands one at a time while setting them, as Computer Music suggests, to keep five directional bands under control.
What producers say
Reviewers and users find it a clever idea that works well; the plain interface is the main complaint.
- Computer Music (via MusicRadar, 2013) called it "a good idea well implemented" that works as both a corrective tool and a creative effect, but criticised the "uninspired graphics", the lack of a frequency display, and the missing mix control.
- Sweetwater users rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 3 reviews, praising its clean, musical sound and the ability to pan individual frequencies; one wanted presets.
Where to buy
- PluginFox: $39
- AudioDeluxe: $39
Tutorials and reviews
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