Sonimus is kindly giving away two free copies of the SonEQ Pro ($59) equalizer plugin to two lucky BPB readers. Learn more about the plugin in our SonEQ Pro review and enter the giveaway to win a free copy of the software.
A decade ago, Sonimus released a freeware analog-inspired equalizer plugin called SonEQ. It was an instant classic among the users, getting rave reviews in magazines and forums like KVR Audio and Gearslutz.
See also: Best FREE Convolution Reverb VST PluginsThe thing is, the VST plugin market was a lot different back then. There really weren’t that many EQ plugins to choose from, especially freeware. The original SonEQ offered a combination of analog saturation and musical curves that made it such a unique freeware plugin back in 2010.
Years have passed, and Sonimus made a name for themselves by releasing high-quality analog console emulations like Satson and Britson. The company became known for its meticulous approach to emulating analog saturation and offering fairly-priced plugins that are modeled after classic studio gear.
They also released an updated and completely overhauled version of their first plugin, now called SonEQ Pro. It features updated algorithms and builds upon the “musical EQ” concept that made its predecessor so popular.
SonEQ Pro Review
SonEQ Pro emulates the tone and the subtle harmonic saturation of analog equalizers. It is a 4-band parametric EQ with the addition of high-pass and low-pass filters. The plugin also features a gain control and a drive knob.
The drive knob adjusts the amount of analog saturation that is applied to the signal. Even with the drive set to zero, SonEQ will apply some subtle preamp saturation to the signal. Pushing the drive amount to a higher value will introduce more harmonics for an even warmer sound.
The plugin’s low band (20 Hz – 100 Hz) section is based on the push/pull dual filter design found in classic Pultec equalizers. These dual filters work great for “focusing” the low end around a certain frequency. The push/pull technique is often used to add more “weight” to a kick drum while removing the “muddiness” above the cutoff frequency.
The cool thing about SonEQ Pro’s low band is that it can also work as a standard “bell” frequency band. This mode is engaged by turning on the “Bell” switch at the bottom of the interface.
The low-mid (70 Hz – 2 kHz) and high-mid (1 kHz – 6.8 kHz) bands share the same control layout. These are semi-parametric filters with a ±10 dB gain range and a switch to adjust the Q shape.
The high band can boost the high frequencies by up to 10 dB by default. The “Cut” switch can be engaged to attenuate the highs instead.
As you can see, SonEQ Pro offers a simple control scheme. It’s one of those equalizers that encourage the user to “use their ears” when mixing instead of staring at a frequency spectrum.
This simplicity is the thing I like the most about SonEQ Pro. It features smooth EQ curves that you can push to the extremes without the plugin sounding harsh or artificial. Indeed, SonEQ is a very musical equalizer, and this makes it such a joy to use.
The low band is one of the highlights, thanks to its Pultec-style push/pull design and the ability to focus the low end. This little EQ does wonders on bass guitars and kicks. Carve out the excess mid-bass, enhance the sub frequencies, and then add a bit of accent to the high-mids to make the track cut through a busy mix.
The analog saturation is optional, and it can be quite useful in some cases. For example, I’ve found that virtual synths can sound that much pleasing to the ear with a slight boost in the low mids and a bit of analog drive added to the signal.
The vocals also sound richer with SonEQ Pro’s saturation and some subtle enhancement of the high frequencies. Of course, this will also depend on the microphone that was used to capture the vocals.
Another thing to consider is SonEQ Pro’s low CPU consumption. Multiple instances can be used without stressing the processor too much, making the plugin suitable almost on a per-track basis. SonEQ Pro works great as the last equalizer in the signal chain for adding that final polish and shape to a track.
Using multiple instances of SonEQ Pro across the mix will also result in a cumulative saturation effect. Every channel will be slightly saturated with SonEQ’s analog preamp emulation, which is an interesting technique to try if you’re going for that slightly vintage type of sound.
You can download the demo version of SonEQ Pro for free from the product page on the Sonimus website (click the “Try It” button).
The Giveaway
Sonimus kindly provided two free SonEQ Pro licenses for two lucky BPB readers. We are giving away one of the licenses here and one on our Instagram page. So, there are two ways for you to enter the giveaway:
- Post a comment on this article (1 randomly picked winner)
- Comment on this Instagram post and tag a friend (1 randomly picked winner)
Only one comment per entrant is allowed. You can enter the giveaway both here and on Instagram to double your chances of winning. Our Instagram page is still quite new, so there won’t be a lot of competition. :)
We will announce the winners on Friday, October 2nd. Good luck, everyone, and thanks for reading BPB!
UPDATE: The winners are L (Lc********@yahoo.**) and @greg_hobgood (Instagram). Congratulations to our two winners and THANK YOU to all of you who participated. We have A TON more free content coming by the end of the year, so stay tuned.
More info: Sonimus SonEQ Pro ($59)
More articles:
275 Comments
Rogue Reaper
onEntering the giveaway!
Max
onNever won a thing
Frank. S
onPick me :-)
Francisco
onI love SonEq I hope to be lucky in this to try and recommend to my colleagues
Marco B.
onI’m in
Mus
onMe too 😭 ! If Santa Claus exists, SonEQ Pro in my boot would be terrific.
alfredo norese
onhi! great products!
Aditya Pratama
onI am in!
Wolfy
onHope I win this!
Juan
onWe all love the analog. Any ideas on when you will develop a digital version?
Cheers
Jc
Kahlil
onI’d like to try that EQ.
Sandor Varjasi
onBig up!
Wade
onpost a comment on this article
Philip Arickx
onCount me in… soneq looks like it could get a lot of use
Martijn van Dongen
onI would really like to win this amazing EQ! Sonimus are having such great stuff in their store for reasonable prices!
Marco B.
onHope to be the lucky one.just once in my life!
Valery
onSound is like sie q. Good alternative, amazing sound!
sn
onIt’s a nice eq.
alekzs
onWanna try my luck!
Heike Scherlie
onI’ll give the giveaway a go!
Thank you!
Powerderpane
onMaybe a winner!
Tekshino
onMaybe its my turn to win now.. :D
Lekh
onI love these 🔥 giveaways. Trying my luck
Zeicmann
onI’m in
Composer
onI often use SonEq free, many times it shaped nicely my kicks where other EQs couldn’t :-D
(4 real, no giveaway flattery :-) )
alp
onVery cool news.
Dmitrii Zakharchenko
onNeed need need!
Jamison
onVery cool promotion, That EQ is appealing
Florian Riley
onShow me some love!
Jamie M.
onbpb giveaway yayyyy
esi loku
onGood luck everybody! Entering the giveaway
Bart van der Burg
onYou’ll never know until you give it a go ;-)
JoeKis
onGive me SonEQ The Hedgehog!
Jamie M.
onlmfao
asd
onI need it.
Damon
onWowwww
Sonimus is the best I have britson I use it on all of my mixes .
Frank
onGimme gimme gimme gimme.
LostKafka
onI have tried it and it is a real good eq! But… With a family you have always in your head: “Do I realy need it?!” At least… No! But… Do I realy want it!? Yeah, absolute! :-d
Aleksei
onI would like to have this one. Really liked free sonimus eq.
Jak Damien
onPlease!!!
Luis Solis
onAyyeeeee hello! I check the blog every day :)
Mauro
onThe original sounds great, i use it often on the electric bass
Jeslan
onThank you very much.
Graham
onYes please!
Dominik G.
onYeah!
Igor J. Delgado
onI want to try my luck with this giveaway :)
Chris
onThe free version sounds great! Maybe I can win the pro version.
Alex D
onWhat a kind bunch :)
Nick Brand
onwinning tiger blood
lilamich
onlil is winner always
Casey
onCross my fingers! :D
rodrigo fernandez
onjust in case I’ll win, imagine here a nice & funny comment here. thanks!
fergyferg
onExcellent prize
Frank Reitz
onCool
Jason
onMaybe I’ll win
JP
onSonEQ free is excellent, so I would be happy to win the Pro version 😍
Michael Bliss
onlove my sonEQ free. Hope to win this.
Brian G
onLooks like a fun tool!
Darío
onIt would be amazing to have this plugin!
Manitou
onWow ! I’m using Britson on every mix, and TuCo also… so winning SonEQ would be awesome
J.
onI want it ! Sonimus is part of my workflow with TuCo, SonEQ Free, Britson, Satson CM
Jim A
onWinner, winner, chicken dinner ?
Manthos Damigos
onYup!
Dny
onice plug
Boobo
onI’m sure to win.
mx
onbiggest fan of the freeware version of this here!
Shane
onHey! Why not :D
Chris Thomas
onYes please!
ambedo
onThrow my name in the hat! Cant go wrong with another flavor of EQ
James
onYEAAAAHHH!
Adilbek Temirkhanov
onOkay, I’m in.
George Martínez
onNice! :D
Jerome
onI want it!
ab_01
onLet me be pro !
Don M.
onThat’s a great looking EQ!!!
Jeff
onSounds like a good one, thanks!
Alex
onWell, let’s give it a try. SonEQ is a killer stuff!
Moisés
onTo aqui pra testar minha sorte. Acompanho o blog todos os dias.
Let’s go!
Nathaniel
onThe free son Eq is great…I would love to try the full version.
Daniel Sykes
onI’ve always loved SonEQ. Just got back into using after neglecting for a bit. It really does the trick. The pro version looks awesome!
Jny Vny
onThis is the only EQ officially recognised by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. FSM does not give endorsements lightly, so you know you’re getting the best.
PatriciaJJ96
onLoved the original, and this looks even better. Would love to win
Julio Schwochow
onWow! I want. I need.
Luc
onLooks like a great EQ! Thanks for the opportunity!
i would rather not say
onThe chances for me to get a copy is near impossible but I’m entering anyway because, why not?
Michael
onI think you should randomly pick me!
Satyabrata Choudhury
onGreat Eq.
MaskedTiger
onOMG a giveaway again ??? I’m in :DDD .
Jacques Boileau
onI’m in for the giveaway!
U-o
onWow. Perfect EQ.
Alejandro Arce
onI really love SonEQ, I’m in!!
Sandino
onLet’s see if i can win a plugin once in my life, i just hope luck’s by my side
David
onLet’s go!
Surya Nugraha
onI’m in sir !!!
Surya Nugraha
onCome to papa, baby !!!
Gavin Hall
onfingers crossed!
Shen
onLet’s see if i am lucky enough
Timi
onLucky me ?
agrosh
onI really want that!
aurora
onIf i will be the lucky one?
HPN
onwhen will i win something…
SATYABRATA
onnever been lucky maybe this time
Fazıl Irak
onIts great! I want it. Oh my god!
Alex
onGive it to me baby. Uh huh. Uh huh… #giveaway #prettyfly
Bob
oni want it
Brenner
onBeautiful plug, Sonimus! I still use the free version of SonEQ in most of my tracks. Great stuff!
da
onplease win
Ronald
onBismillah
damian
onyeah
Parag
onI am a long term user of free soneq plugin and I really like its low end pultec style curves.
Quetzal
onLove Sonimus products.
Giovanni Berto
onThis will be my time
Mike B
onLooks good. Lots of competition, but I’ll toss my name in the hat.
Cheers!
Alan Twelve
onYeah, why not? The freeware version is very nice, after all.
Javier Arteaga
onThank you! Great EQ
Jonathan Hollamby
on‘sup
Gery Zenz
onvery nice EQ!
Mingus
onThe free version is quite good, lucky enough to have the pro version for free? Why not?
Richard Bergman
onLooks very good, and nice giveaway. Good luck to everybody!
Patrik Roncolato
onCan’t wait! I LOVE Sonimus stuff!!!
ElectricSick
onHere’s my entry. Sound like a good piece of software to have
AZ
onHellooo…
Marcus Rasseli
onI want this great plugin
Daniel
onThe Tuco comp by Sonimus is an excellent tool, too.
Mike
onJust found out about the original a couple of weeks ago. Would be awesome to win this update!
WW
onnice.
Harish
onDamn!, It is a crime to have this for free!, and I would love to be guilty of it.
Pisces
onSonimus make great software, I have the Satson and Britson console plugins, highly recommended.
Jon B
on:)
Abhay Mehta
onI love giveaways
Ola O
onWould be nice to win this
Sleeper Service
onHowdy
Peter
onGreat company! I’d love to win <3
Marrow7
onGreat GUI
Facundo Brizuela
onIm using the free version of sonEQ and satson cm (free with computer music) on reaper..
both are great great plugins.. maybe its time to try this one..
Francesco Longo Maiorano
onGoodluck to myself!!
Max
onWell, a new EQ is never a bad idea. Let’s see how this goes.
Bruno
onWho will win ? !!! :-)
Lucas C.
onI loved the plugin! I will use a lot if I win #bedroomproducersinBrazil
Kevin
onSonimus always with fire plugins
SunFace
onAmazing plug in. I have the free SonEq and it is an amazing tool. Win or not, I’m trying their demo copy to get familiar with its features on my mix. Good luck everyone :)
Anton
oni frequently visit brpb and found a lot of inspiring gear – and now there is a new brand, i did not know before. thank you!
Matthew
onSounds solid. Thanks as always for these articles and giveaways, Tomislav!
Synthie Lauper
onEntering the giveaway :-)
Alessandro Siqueira
onvem pro Pai!
JohnBlackman
onTrying one’s luck.
Shannon McDowell
onI have a few of Sonimus’ plugins; they create great audio tools! Thanks for the giveaway!
Matt
onCompetition time let’s go! Thanks for keeping us up to date on all the freebie plugins and softwares by the way, this blog is awesome!
Timothy
onHope I win! Hope I win!
El°HYM
onOh, Yes! (:
PUSHKAR RAJA
onEveryone wants a free plugin.. i also want it
Tom Baize
onGOOD!
Martin
onTrying my luck
Nikolai
onGood luck, everybody! =)
Ariel
onJust a comment
Vincent
onThe original SonEQ is still a staple for me so it would be real nice to win the updated version. :)
Caliko
onAlways brings the lurkers out.
Good Luck!
rav
onVanilla SonEQ is still great.
Cheers
Amando
onGreat page! Great plug! Good luck!!
Robin
onSounds good.
Bartosz Mazur
onHello,
I’m feeling so lucky!
Caritas
onThanks for the opportunity. And let’s give it a try! Good luck everybody!
Caritas
onThanks for the opportunity. And let’s give it a try. Good luck everybody!
art
onawesome
Panos Dim
onVery Nice
Enrique Mancia
onI’ll take it, thanks! =)
BIG C
onI dey here
Abel
onMe encanta BPB, me mantiene informado sobre todo tipo de complementos para trabajar
Carlos Henriquez
onAquí vamos! Soneq pro ven con papi!!!
Lukasz
onHope to get it :D
bill edwards
onsounds like a weiner
p shibaitaroka
onSounds great! Very nice 22kHz, internal 64bit precision or so. And also still work on OSX 10.6!!
Wade
onpost a comment to this article
Andrei
ongood deal
Arlen J Yanch
onlooking for this EQ! looking to win
Dave E-Voski
onWould be a great upgrade, really like the original
the intern
onWin the ship goes down, you better be ready! Been using SonEQ for such a long time, then couldn’t due to 64bit incompatibility, then the great comeback when they updated the free version. Woopwoop. Would love to use the Pro version of this! Fingers crossed.
synthicide
onOh yes PLEASE man, please!?!?!
Adrian Wong
onBetter odds than the lottery!
ivsnd
onYay.
Andy
onhello everyone!
Manitou
onHere, at Manitou, we use TuCo and Britson, and SonEQ Free. All sound wonderful. SonEQ Pro would abe a nice addition to our arsenal.
Aldair Ramos
onIt’s very nice!
ADRIAN DOMINGUEZ
onHope I get selected, that EQ looks amazing! :D
Rob Alcock
onLove this website!
AndyHsieh
onjust what i need!
Ely Cruz
onMe Me Me!!!
Tobi LP
onI won this one
Eetu M.
onThe non-pro version sounds great!
Xavier
onGood luck everyone!
Tim
onPick this povo home producer!
Chuck Pollen
on🤞🤞🤞
pep
onI’m sorry for you, but it’s mine!
Roberto Avila
onHad me at “semi-parametric filters”!
Aleksey
onTo me
Thomas
onI’m in
Tarkob
onLet`s see!
Lucas Baccelliere
onGreat plugin, great plugin makers. I use the SonEQ all the time.
Dan
onCount me in!
clad anghel
onIN!
Santiago Aliaga
onFingers crossed!
JoeHF
onSnazzy EQ!
fox fallen
onyo
Martin
onGonna try my luck
Cristian
on🤞🏽
Rahul Simaro
onWow, looks very promising plugiin. Read the review and eager to check it out on some of my tracks.
Rahul Simaro
onThe review is very informative.
Mohammad Khraibah
onIs it too late to enter?
Henrik
onNo comment
Nick
onLucky entry :)
David
onI really hope i win
Juan Demes
onI really want that plugin
Juan Demes
onI really want that plugin, hope i could win
Darren Jones
onRandom Entry #572
Greg H
onHope I win!
Adam
onEeeeek you! I want EQ
Pedro
onWanna win again.. also comment in the other give away
Stanislav
onEqualizer is one of the fundamental tools for building a good sound. Must be in my collection.
AC
onCoolio!
Marco B.
onHope to be the lucky one!
Jingrong Fan
onI guess I am not lucky enough.
Yaniv
onThanks for the opportunity!
miked
onPick me please! :)
Yaniv
onGood luck to everyone
cleverson willian
onlet me
Vladislav Vladimirskii
ongood
Bryan
onThis comment has been expertly crafted to maximize my odds of being selected.
Laura
onI’d like to try this!
Kalin Tonev
onGreat EQ!
K K
onok go
tuscamusicas
onall cool stuff from Baby Audio and BPB!
tuscamusicas
onohh my mistake! great stuff from Sonimus and BPB!
Matthew
onI really hope I get the chance to add this to one of my mixes!
Zdenek
onGimme!
ilias
oni want the thing too…
Max
onThis looks better than being trapped in a Russian prison but I’m hoping driving the gains makes it sound just as dirty!
PureFire
onTomislav, i would like to say thanks so much to you for offering all of your subscribers this opportunity to get yet another awesome plug-in, i really appreciate the time you take to create this blog & also to give the opportunity to everyone to get excellent plug-ins and even more to win this product.
I’ve never had so many decent bits of software before so Respect & good health to you 👍
Boby Chacko
onIt’s nice to hear about this great plugin give away.Appreaviate your efforts.
Boby
Prthiv Raj Raja Ratnam
onRolling the dice!
Rivermint
onAwesome news, big respect to you Tomislav. Cheers
Dave
onI’ve used the original SonEQ for years
Jay Kekkonen
onOne can never have too many EQs, or compressors, or saturation units. Count me in, I’m here for the win :)
Paulo Matos
onSonimus plugins are amazing, I am stuck at home and surely would use SonEQ Pro a lot!!
Thanks
Orla
onLovely review and the plugin looks great!
MattK
onRolling
Masi
onA lot of comments on this one. Thanks, appreciate the chance to win.
Maksim Komarov
onGood luck!
Sunrider
onI would appreciate one of the free copies… ;-)
vsgvfcvhg
onit’s nice!
Robert
onGood luck to everyone
Luis Arango
onI want this one
A
onI want one
T DAY
onI’d like to win it.
Jens
onGreat plug in ! Would love to have it
Pete
onComment is a comment :)
Enrique
onThis plugin sounds interesting!
JP63
onJumpin’ Jehosaphat ! I would win it. Sonimus plugins are excellent.
Stephen Macready
onLooks nice. Count me in!
Joao Bispo
onCool stuff! Let’s have it!
Constantine Sommer
onWhat a wonderful thing I hope to win
Martin
onEspero ganar esta magnifica herramienta!
Pablo
onI’m a SonEq user and it sounds amazing, I’ll love to try the SonEq Pro.
Tony Martinez
onWell, I’m going to participate =) hope to win
Piere Laplace
onWould love to have this
Frank Ndlovu
onThis looks great
n4m
onhope i’m not too late to win :)
PF
onAnd the winner is… me ?
Simbarashe Fitz-Collins Motsi
onThis is the last time I’m entering these giveaways if i dont win i might as well be a stranger.
L
onI’m in
Tomislav Zlatic
onCongratulations! You are the winner! :)
L
onThank you very much, Sonimus and BPB! Couldn’t believe it when I read the email. : )
NF
onAny plugin of Sonimus is awesome
Espen
onSonimus is great.
Fabio
onwow, must sound great!
Dario Berge
onAfter study a number of of the blog posts on your web site now, and I truly like your approach of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and might be checking back soon. Pls try my web site as effectively and let me know what you think.