CDSoundMaster has released ARQ High EQ, a freeware VST plugin equalizer for Windows which was built with Nebula technology and based on the Trident A-Range mixing console equalizer.
The “ARQ Tride-N-Tru A-RANGE EQ AND CHANNEL STRIP PLUG-IN SUITE” emulates the finest reproduction of the original Trident A-Range Console! The ARQ makes use of a real analog reproduction channel from the console (it is considered “da king” of A-Range recreations!).
ARQ High EQ is available for free download via CDSoundMaster (65.6 MB download size, ZIP archive, EXE installer inside, 32-bit & 64-bit VST plugin format for Windows).
This plugin was released as a free demonstration of the commercial ARQ Tride-N-Tru plugin suite which captures the sound of a Trident A-Range mixing console. The bundle consists of six plugins in total and is based on Nebula technology by Acustica Audio. The suite is designed and tested for use at 96 kHz, 48 kHz and 44.1 kHz sample rates.
The freebie ARQ High EQ plugin is limited to the high frequency range. We are offered a choose between 5 different frequency settings (8 kHz, 10 kHz, 12 kHz, 15 kHz and 20 kHz), and can go from -15 dB to +15 dB on the selected frequency.
Although having only 5 frequency settings at your disposal is a significant limitation, this effect can work great for adding brightness and air to vocals or any other sounds lacking in the top range. The sound of this EQ is creamy and smooth, just the kind of stuff you need on top frequencies.
Like most other freebie releases by CDSoundMaster (except for the R2R FREE plugin), this free plugin doesn’t require any form of authorization. Simply submit your email address at the download page and the plugin will be delivered to your Inbox, ready to install and fire up in your favorite DAW.
The only serious downside as that Nebula technology still eats a lot of CPU and acts a bit quirky on some machines. I’m getting some serious pops and clicks here on an Intel® Core™ i3 processor while adjusting the frequency knob, however everything is smooth once the desired frequency has been selected.
UPDATE: Any pops or clicks due to CPU are usually easily remedied from buffer increase, and can even be adjusted inside the XML “dspbuffer” by a power of 2 (128, 256, 512, 1024…).
5 Comments
Thanks!
My process would be, EQ the track, bounce it, import it back into the project.
That’s what i with the Nebula stuff, saves lots of CPU.
indie
onInteresting sound, but I find the interface quite glitchy…
mariusz
onNice, but the limits….
Martin
onLink isn’t working, isn’t this available anymore?
Bedroom Producers Blog
onI’ve just checked their products page and it seems like the plugin is completely removed from their website. :(