SonEQ 2
by Sonimus · EQ · Modular analog-modeled EQ
Not rated yet
SonEQ 2 is a modular analog-modeled EQ where you build your own equalizer from up to 16 low, low-mid, high-mid, high and preamp modules.
It is a separate paid product from the free SonEQ, with improved curves and up to 16x oversampling, for $129.
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Mix Bus, Keys & Synths. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: analog-sounding, modular, oversampling, vocals, bass, low latency, transparent, electric guitar, undo/redo, airy, bright, bus processing, clean, drums, full mix, kick, mix bus, mixing, silky, static, surgical, warm, wide, zero-latency.
What it does
SonEQ 2 is the paid successor to Sonimus' original SonEQ, rebuilt as a modular EQ: you assemble "your own custom EQ" from analog-modelled bands and a preamp, with improved curves over the original.
- Low Band module: two interactive filters to boost and cut the lows at 20, 30, 60 or 100 Hz.
- Low-Mid module: a bell from 45 Hz to 4 kHz, with a HiQ setting for narrower, surgical cuts.
- High-Mid module: a wider bell from 400 Hz to 9 kHz.
- High module: a soft, silky high boost for air.
- Preamp module: a clean path with a Drive control for warmth; the saturation can be switched off for a transparent sound.
- Modular layout: up to 16 modules per instance in any order, in mono or stereo.
- Quality and workflow: up to 16x oversampling (zero latency without it), a WOOW switch for spatial width, GUI scaling from 80 to 150% and undo/redo.
Version 1.1 works up to 192 kHz. The demo can't save presets or sessions and limits oversampling to 2x.
When to use it
SonEQ 2 suits mixers who want analog-style curves but a layout they can size to each track. Compared with Pro-Q 4 and TDR Nova it has no spectrum display or dynamic bands and is meant for shaping by ear, though the HiQ low-mid can still find resonances. Against fixed-layout analog models like the Pultec Passive EQ Collection or Mäag Audio EQ4, it lets you stack as many bands and preamps as you need, in any order. It costs more than Sonimus' other EQs, so Burnley 73 or Sweetone are cheaper ways into Sonimus' analog tone.
- Best for: analog-flavoured tone shaping on vocals, electric guitar, kick, bass and buses.
- Genres: any style.
- Look elsewhere if: you need dynamic, linear-phase or visual surgical EQ (Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova), or a cheaper simple tone EQ (Sonimus Burnley 73).
- Tip: Producer Sphere notes that reordering the modules changes the tone subtly, and suggests the High-Mid and High modules for vocal presence.
What producers say
The reviews we read are very positive about the sound and the modular idea; price is the only common complaint.
- Producer Sphere (2021) praised the "deep, rich" low-end module and the "brighter, more transparent" curves compared with the original SonEQ.
- KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 1 review; the reviewer called it "now my goto EQ for most EQing tasks".
- Criticisms: the KVR reviewer noted a higher price than earlier SonEQ versions.
Where to buy
- Sonimus: $59 (regular $129)
Tutorials and reviews
- SonEQ 2 Basic Walkthrough - Sonimus
- SonEQ 2 Walkthrough pt. 2 - Sonimus
- Mastering Session With SonEQ 2 - Sonimus
- One EQ Plugin to Rule Them All? - Sonimus SonEQ-2
- Sonimus SonEQ 2 - Analog EQ Plugin
Similar plugins
- NEED 81 Console EQ by NoiseAsh · British Class-AB console preamp and EQ · $59.90
- NEED 533 EQ by NoiseAsh · Vintage 5-band console EQ · $59.90
- 6144 by DDMF · Portico 5033-inspired EQ · $39
- A-EQ by Sonimus · Modular 550-style EQ · $59
- MTurboEQ by MeldaProduction · Vintage EQ collection · $149