Manda Audio has released 7Q, a freeware graphic equalizer effect in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin formats for compatible DAWs on PC and Mac.
7Q is a graphic equalizer inspired by the old Classic EQ plugin by Kjaerhus Audio. If you started producing music somewhere between the years 2005 and 2010, Kjaerhus Audio is probably a household name. Their “Classic” series of freeware VST plugins was the go-to set of audio effects for producers back in the day. Covering everything from mixing essentials like EQ and compression to modulation effects like phaser and chorus, the bundle was the all-in-one solution for everyday use.
My favorite of the bunch, though, was the Classic Delay plugin. It sounded wonderful, offered multiple modes, and the settings were so easy to dial in. Kjaerhus Audio plugins are now discontinued, but you can still download the Classic bundle from some more or less reputable online sources. The thing is, a 32-bit digital audio workstation is required to get them to work.
Anyways, back on topic. The new 7Q plugin by Manda Audio is based on the “Classic EQ” concept. You get the same graphical equalizer layout with seven frequency bands. 7Q adds a high-pass and low-pass filter to the feature set, along with the “boost” functionality which doubles the gain range of each frequency slider. It lacks the warmth and saturation effects from the original Classic EQ. Both the 7Q and Classic EQ can process the left and right stereo channels individually. The workflow is different, though. Classic EQ could equalize both channels individually using a single plugin instance. With 7Q, you will need to load two instances – one for each stereo channel.
If you miss the old Kjaerhus Audio Classic EQ, be sure to give 7Q a try. The plugin can be downloaded directly from the product page linked below, no registration required. The software is with 32-bit and 64-bit digital audio workstations. Manda Audio is also offering a freely downloadable acoustic drum sample library called the MT Power Drum Kit 2.
Did you use the old Kjaerhus Audio plugins back in the day? What was your favorite one? Let us know in the comments section below.
More info: 7Q (1.85 MB download size, ZIP archive, 32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & macOS)
7 Comments
Ian
onKjaerhus Classic Delay is still my first choice and I use his flanger frequently as well. It’s crazy to think how old these plugins are.
Steve
onI used quite a few of the Kjaerhus plug-ins when I started out in about 2006, but I haven’t installed them on any of my last three DAW builds/re-installs.
But a 32-but DAW isn’t “required” for the old plug-ins; I still use several irreplaceable 32-bit plug-ins in my 64-bit version of Sonar. But yes, some 64-bit DAWs don’t run any 32-bit plug-ins (I’m looking at you, Cubase!).
Wing Yee
onKjaerhus Classic Chorus is my favorite vocal doubler!
whiteaxxxe
onWrong. Kjaerhus plugins work in a bridged mode in every DAW. I use them still today. Their chorus is unparalleled. Like Wing Yee said: Kjaerhus chorus is the best vocal- or guitar- or whatever-doubler there is. Soundwise. And thats what matters.
Ike
onThe Kjaerhus guy was later caught to be involved in pedophilia – there are some older threads about this I think on KVR and GS too. Let’s not mention or credit this guy!
Daniel
onThat doesn’t make the software less good. You were the only one so far mentioning him as a person. We are talking about the software, not about him. As far as I am aware, the software has nothing to do with his sick private life. And since it’s free software, we are also not funding him personally.
C. Jay Conrod
onKjaerhus Classic Chorus and Phaser were ALWAYS in my mixes. Especially on Rhodes and Wurly emulations.