Blue Tubes Equalizer BQ2S

Name: Blue Tubes Equalizer BQ2S
Price: 9 USD
Author: Nomad Factory

by Nomad Factory · EQ · British-style 3-band EQ

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Blue Tubes Equalizer BQ2S by Nomad Factory

Blue Tubes Equalizer BQ2S is a British-style three-band EQ from Nomad Factory with high and low shelves and a parametric mid band.

Its output stage adds a simple peak limiter or brickwall option, and it costs $99.

Best for: Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Keys & Synths, Bass. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: inspired by, mixing, simple, tube, tracking, warm, drums, vocals, bass, broad-strokes, electric guitar, keys, beginner-friendly, British console, classic, enhancement, musical, static, vintage.

What it does

The BQ2S is a simple three-band British-style EQ from the Blue Tubes line, built for "warm, musical tone shaping" while tracking and mixing rather than surgical correction.

Shelving low and high bands: classic bass and treble shelves with natural, broad curves.
Parametric mid: a sweepable mid band covering 300 Hz to 5 kHz.
Output stage: a simple peak limiter or a brickwall circuit after the EQ.
Analog-style colour: the curves aim to keep vintage analog-style saturation and harmonic behavior.
Workflow: a short set of controls meant for tracking, mixing and quick sweetening.
Version 4 engine: the March 2026 update rebuilt the internal architecture of the whole Blue Tubes line.

Version 4 was released on 2 March 2026. It is also part of the Blue Tubes Equalizers Pack, the Blue Tubes Bundle and the Integral Studio Pack. Neither the product page nor KVR mentions a demo.

Source: Nomad Factory product page

When to use it

The BQ2S is a quick tone-shaping EQ with some console flavour, not a precision tool. Compared with FabFilter Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova, it has only three bands and no dynamic EQ or analyser. Compared with console EQs that model one desk, like Waves SSL G-Equalizer or the bx_console models, it is a generic British-style design. Its built-in output limiter is a small extra that lets it double as a light peak catcher on a track.

Best for: broad tone shaping while tracking or mixing vocals, guitars, drums and keys.
Genres: general-purpose; Nomad Factory points to R&B, hip-hop, rap, pop and rock, where broad moves suit better than surgical ones.
Look elsewhere if: you need many bands, narrow cuts or dynamic EQ; Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova are far more precise.

What producers say

An older user review found it easy to use and warmer than stock EQs, but limited in flexibility; no reviews of version 4 were found.

Audiofanzine user (moosers, 2010, reviewing it as the British Tone Equalizer BQ2S) rated it 8 out of 10 and found it "warmer sounding than the stock EQ plug-ins in Pro Tools."
Band details: that review lists bass at 60 to 220 Hz, mid at 300 Hz to 5 kHz and treble at 6 to 12 kHz, with up to 15 dB of boost or cut, a bandwidth control and output level.
Criticisms: it "doesn't offer as much flexibility" as fuller parametric EQs.

Audiofanzine user review

Where to buy

PluginFox: $9 (regular $50)
AudioDeluxe: $9 (regular $50)
Best Service: $19.99
Nomad Factory: $99

Tutorials and reviews

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