VQA-154

Name: VQA-154
Price: 69 USD
Author: Fuse Audio Labs

by Fuse Audio Labs · EQ · 1970s 4-band EQ module emulation

Not rated yet

VQA-154 recreates a sought-after 1970s 4-band equalizer module, including its inductor-based mid-band filters, discrete output stage and transformers.

It adds input drive, continuous filter gains, stereo linking and mid/side mode, for $69, with a demo available.

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

Keywords: 70s, bus processing, mid/side, mix bus, transformer, bass, drums, stereo-linked, vocals, auto-gain, hardware emulation, musical, strings, broadcast, colored, full mix, mixing, woodwinds, static, utility.

What it does

VQA-154 is Fuse Audio Labs' "faithful recreation of a sought-after 70s 4-band equalizer module" that found its way into broadcast and production studios. It models the whole signal path, transformers included, and adds a few digital conveniences the original never had.

Four bands: a four-band layout after the original module, with capacitor and inductor-based filters on the mid bands.
Continuous gains: filter gains move continuously instead of in the fixed steps of the hardware, with adjustable bandwidth on the bands.
Drive: a gain-compensated input drive control, so you can push the circuit for more harmonic colour without the level jumping.
Output stage: a modeled discrete output stage and transformer, which give the EQ its character even with the bands flat.
Stereo and mid/side: stereo operation with channel linking, plus a mid/side mode for treating centre and sides separately.
Output: a linear output level control for gain staging and level-matched comparisons.

Source: Fuse Audio Labs product page

When to use it

VQA-154 is a colour EQ: you pick it for the transformer and inductor tone and broad musical moves, not for precision. Compared with the Pultec Passive EQ Collection or Waves PuigTec EQs, it gives you four bands instead of a low/high shelf design, so it can shape the mids as well as the extremes. Unlike the Mäag Audio EQ4, which is mostly about air and clean top end, VQA-154 adds noticeable saturation through its drive and output stage. Its mid/side mode and continuous gains make it more flexible on the mix bus than many single-unit vintage models.

Best for: musical tone shaping on vocals, drums, bass, acoustic instruments, strings and the mix bus.
Genres: any style.
Look elsewhere if: you need surgical cuts, a spectrum analyser or dynamic EQ; FabFilter Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova are better there.
Tip: try it in mid/side mode on a bus to colour the sides and centre differently; one KVR user found it adds clarity and presence to flutes and string ensembles.

What producers say

The few user reviews are very positive, mainly about the colour it adds.

Plugin Boutique users rate it 4.9 out of 5 from 34 ratings, praising its "pleasant coloration" and how it helps a mix bus come together.
A Plugin Boutique reviewer described a firm sound with interesting textures that never turns "harsh or bloated".
KVR users give it 5 out of 5 from one review, which says it "brings nice saturation" and works well on flutes and violin ensembles.

Where to buy

Fuse Audio Labs: $69

Tutorials and reviews

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