GotoEQ

Name: GotoEQ
Price: 29.99 USD
Author: Klevgrand

by Klevgrand · EQ · Passive-style EQ with dynamic mids

Not rated yet

GotoEQ is a premium equalizer from Klevgrand that models classic passive low and high shelves and adds two dynamic parametric mid bands.

It has a 20/40/80 Hz high-pass, separate boost and cut on the shelves, and peak metering, for $29.99 (normally $59.99).

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

Keywords: classic, drums, vocals, hardware emulation, metering, acoustic guitar, AUv3/iOS, full mix, inspired by, 50s, bass, bus processing, harsh, mastering, mix bus, mixing, punchy, tube, vintage.

What it does

GotoEQ is Klevgrand's "Premium Equalizer", described as "a classic EQ unit reinvented for the digital age". It takes the passive, tube-based program EQ idea (Pultec-style shelves) and adds two dynamic mid bands.

Passive shelves: low and high shelves with detailed modelling of a classic passive EQ unit, each with separate Boost and Attenuation controls, so you can boost and cut at once for the classic resonant curve.
Dynamic mids: two parametric bands with Gain, Q and Dynamic Attenuation; a tuned compression algorithm makes them react to the signal level.
High-pass: a switchable filter at 20, 40 or 80 Hz.
Continuous frequency: all four bands sweep freely instead of using fixed steps.
Gain and metering: global input and output gain of plus or minus 24 dB, peak metering of input or output, global and per-band bypass.
Presets: a preset library, with user presets supported since version 1.0.3.

The current version is 1.0.5. The free demo is the full version with occasional audio dropouts.

Source: Klevgrand product page

When to use it

GotoEQ is the pick when you want Pultec-style shelves and dynamic control of the mids in one cheap plugin. Compared with the Pultec Passive EQ Collection and PuigTec EQs, its shelves sweep continuously and its mid bands are dynamic, but it does not aim to copy one hardware unit as closely. Pro-Q 4 and TDR Nova offer far more dynamic bands and precise visual editing; GotoEQ has only two dynamic bands, but its passive shelves give a broader, more musical tone. It costs much less than the UA and Waves collections.

Best for: broad tone shaping on drums, acoustic guitar and vocals, with the mids tamed only when they get harsh or boomy.
Genres: rock, pop, singer-songwriter, hip-hop and electronic.
Look elsewhere if: you need many bands and surgical precision (Pro-Q 4), a free dynamic EQ (TDR Nova), or a close hardware Pultec model (Pultec Passive EQ Collection).
Tip: Sound On Sound used it to carve a space for a vocal in a busy mix and to tame the low end of an acoustic guitar while adding upper-mid sheen.

What producers say

The one magazine review, of the iPad version, was enthusiastic; user reviews are scarce.

Sound On Sound (John Walden, July 2019, iOS version) called it "one of the best EQ plug-ins I've ever used under iOS" and praised the dynamic mids and the resonant Boost/Attenuation trick.
On drums: the review says it turned a flat drum mix into something "much more punchy and vibrant".
Criticisms: only that the price might put off some iOS users, though the reviewer felt it was worth it.

Sound On Sound review

Where to buy

Klevgrand: $29.99 (regular $59.99)
Plugin Boutique: $59.99
PluginFox: $59.99
AudioDeluxe: $59.99

Tutorials and reviews

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