TDR VOS SlickEQ
by Tokyo Dawn Labs · EQ · Semi-parametric EQ
vst3s Score 8.3/10 · rated #10 of 10 EQs
A free semi-parametric mixing and mastering EQ with three bands plus an 18 dB/octave high-pass filter, made with Variety of Sound.
Four EQ models, five saturating output stages and loudness-compensated auto gain make it easy to judge moves without volume bias.
Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Vocals, Keys & Synths. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: mastering, auto-gain, mixing, bus processing, mix bus, vocals, broad-strokes, clean, free, full mix, keys, musical, undo/redo, A/B compare, mid/side, polish, subtle.
What it does
TDR VOS SlickEQ is "a mixing/mastering equalizer designed for ease of use, musical flexibility and impeccable sound." It is a free collaboration between Tokyo Dawn Labs and Variety of Sound, with a Gentleman's Edition (GE) available as a paid upgrade.
- Layout: a semi-parametric EQ with three bands plus an 18 dB/octave high-pass filter.
- EQ models: four EQ curves, American, British, German and Soviet, with optional non-linearity.
- Output stages: five stages, Linear, Silky, Mellow, Deep and Toasted, using Variety of Sound's stateful saturation.
- Auto gain: loudness-compensated auto gain control, plus stereo and sum/difference (M/S) processing.
- Workflow: 64-bit multi-rate processing, undo/redo, A/B comparison, preset management and editable labels.
Source: Tokyo Dawn Labs product page
When to use it
SlickEQ is a broad-strokes tone shaper rather than a surgical tool. Unlike TDR Nova and Pro-Q 4, the choices for precise or dynamic EQ work, it is built for broad curves, as is the Pultec Passive EQ Collection, a paid vintage-style option. Choose SlickEQ for quick, musical shaping on buses and masters, with saturation flavors and auto gain, at no cost.
- Best for: broad tonal shaping on the mix bus, mastering and polish on vocals, keys and groups.
- Genres: any.
- Look elsewhere if: you need many bands, narrow notches or dynamic EQ; TDR Nova or Pro-Q 4 suit that.
- Standout: loudness-compensated auto gain, which makes EQ moves easier to judge fairly.
What producers say
KVR users give it full marks, singling out auto gain, the EQ models and its clean sound.
- KVR users (2020) reviewers called it the "cleanest equalizer on the market" and a "Very clean, subtle 3-band EQ."
- Auto gain: one KVR reviewer (2024) called it "one of the best watchdog against volume bias"; another (2022) praised the same feature.
- Mastering use: a 2020 reviewer found it "perfect for final mixing."
Where to buy
- Tokyo Dawn Labs: Free
Tutorials and reviews
- Introduction to SlickEQ and SlickEQ GE
- TDR VOS SlickEQ - FREE Plugin [Review] (ModernMixing.com)
- FREE Vst tutorial TDR Vos SlickEQ plugin
- TDR VOS SlickEQ Tokyo Dawn Labs
- Tokyo Dawn Records TDR VOS SlickEQ GE
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