EFFECTS

EQUO - Morphing Graphic Equalizer

EQUO is an advanced morphing graphic equalizer plugin. EQUO is particularly suited to live or automated tweaking during a performance. The main display contains both the EQ (VOL) and EQ (PAN) controls so that sounds can not only be shaped according to frequency content, but panning can be applied on specific frequency basis. Further, One Master EQ shape and then a further 8 separate EQ/PAN shapes may be set and then these EQ shapes can be smoothly morphed using the Morph knob. An alternative to EQUO is Fruity Parametric EQ 2.

Parameters

Morph Section

Shift (Band Shift) - Turning the knob to the right will move the current EQ shape to the higher frequencies, moving the knob to the left shifts the current shape to the lower frequencies. Try automating this parameter.
Mix (Band mix) - By default, applies 100% of the selected EQ shape to the (knob full right). Moving the knob fully left will apply -100% of the current shape (invert it). The 12'Oclock position applies 0% EQ.
Morph (Between Banks)- Morphs (blends) between banks 1 (knob fully left) to 8 (knob fully right). For this function to have an effect you must set different EQ curves on each bank.
Smooth (Motion Smoothness) - Sets how quickly changes to EQUO settings can happen. This is like an inertia effect for knobs.
Vol - Main output volume.

Setup Section

Contains controls to set the routing and audio quality

Send only | Send - Mutes the direct output from EQUO in the present Mixer channel. The LED display window shows which send mixer track EQUO is set to. The Send window is not operational if EQUO is in the Master Mixer channel to avoid a feedback loop.
Add mode - Normally EQUO band-slices the incoming audio, effects it and recombines the audio at the output. The band-slicing and recombination process introduces subtle changes to the input audio, even when no EQ is applied (the EQ bands are flat). Add mode combines (adds) the sound of EQUO to the original input rather than replacing it (as normal) to avoid these subtle effects. However, in add mode an EQ band set to minimum will allow the original signal to pass.
Over sample - Engages 2X oversampling for higher audio quality.
BW (Band Width) - Changes the bandwidth of the EQUO bands. Simply adjust for the most pleasing sound.

Main Display

There are several controls available from the main screen that will change the way you can shape the EQ or PAN settings.

Options Menu - Contains three options, Random Curve, that produces a random EQ or PAN cuve, surprisingly :) Flat Line that resets the current EQ curve to the default state and Interpolate 1 to 8, this allows you to set a EQ or PAN curve in bank 1 and 8 and then EQUO will create the intermediate steps in-between on banks 2 to 7.
Drawing modes - There are three drawing modes available by clicking the appropriate icon. Pencil mode allows you to move individual EQ or PAN bands with precision. Line mode Left click and drag the mouse to create straight lines. Curve mode Left click and drag the mouse to create smooth curves.
Analyze - When the Analyze button is held, EQUO will average the frequency spectrum of the incoming signal (over the duration the button is held) and upon release create an EQ curve antagonistic to that signal. The interaction of the analyzed curve can be varied from antagonistic (cut) though to complimentary (boost) with the MIX knob. NOTE: Bands 40 Hz and below are not included in the 'Analyze' function as they 'muddy' the mix, set them manually if you require sub-bass EQ.
EQ/PAN On/Off/Locked - Clicking the light-blue box at the top of an EQ band will switch through the sequence 1 - Band OFF, 2 - Band Locked, 3 - Band Enabled (default).
Adjusting bands - Clicking in the display area will activate the band under your mouse pointer. Move the band up and down as required. Consider these bands to be the sliders on a Graphic equalizer and you have a good idea of the basic interface. The image below shows EQUO in curve mode tracking an upward movement of the mouse, to move individual bands set EQUO to pencil mode.

Bank M, 1 to 8 - Select these to individually set the Master bank or Banks 1 to 8. The Master bank is applied to the final output of the plugin and is not used in the morphing sequence between banks.
VOL/PAN/SEND - Switches, determine if the action in the main EQ area affect, VOL (Volume) - the standard EQ volume as a function of frequency, PAN - The stereo panning of the selected frequency or Send - The send levels for the selected frequencies.

Plugin Credits: Didier Dambrin.