5-band EQ plug-in taken directly from the million-dollar Sony Oxford console with 4 selectable EQ types based on legacy console EQs.
The Sonnox Oxford EQ for TC PowerCore is based on the EQ section of the Sony OXF-R3 console. It's a 5-band plug-in with selectable shelf settings on LF and HF sections. Additionally, separate variable slope low pass and high pass filters are provided. The Oxford EQ also features 4 different selectable EQ types that cover most of the EQ styles currently popular amongst professional users, including some legacy styles, which are renowned for their artistic capability. The use of novel coefficient generation and intelligent processing design provides unparalleled performance that surpasses analogue EQ in both sound quality and artistic freedom. This plug-in may well provide all the EQ you ever needed.
General
Program equalizers have expanded, beyond their original use as distance correction devices for film and vision, into highly creative tools that represent a leading part of the sound engineer’s artistic palette. A great many EQ designs have been developed over the years that have been attributed with qualities that lend themselves to particular uses and sounds. The Sonnox Oxford EQ plug-in is designed to be flexible enough to address as many of these generic types as possible from a single application by presenting a variety of types to the user.
Control Ranges & Interaction (types of EQ)
There are many different types of EQ, which differ in many areas. One of the most important areas is the issue of control ranges and interaction. Whilst it is true that with a parametric unit with continuous controls (i.e. not quantized) any response could be obtained by matching their curves, many of the popular EQs have control dependencies that lean towards a specific application. One of the main areas where EQs differ is Gain / Q dependency. Most analogue EQ has Gain / Q dependency as a result of the circuits used. This factor can greatly affect the artistic style that an EQ presents by facilitating certain parameter settings and encouraging particular uses when the unit is operated. In the Sonnox Oxford EQ plug-in we have covered this situation by providing 3 different styles of EQ that take account of Gain / Q dependency as well as overall control ranges.
Sonnox Oxford EQ Types
There are 4 types of EQ as standard in the Sonnox Oxford EQ, plus an option for a fully approved GML 8200 emulation, for Pro Tools and HD. The differences between the types are reflected within the curve characteristics of the bell settings. The shelving curves are the same for all 4 types. They include the use of the 'Q' controls allowing and amount of 'undershoot' to be dialed in for boost settings, and overshoot when a shelf is used in cut settings. As an example, when applying an HF shelf, adding Q will cause the mid range just below the shelf to be cut, whilst simultaneously increasing the slope of the rise to the shelf. This has the effect of reducing perceived harshness, sweetening the sound, much like the legacy Neve and SSL G Series EQs.
EQ Type 1
This EQ can be regarded as a general and multi-purpose 'sharp' or clinical tool. Its response curves are very similar to that of the EQs in the SL4000E consoles, popular in the 80's. Characterized with minimal 'gain' verses 'Q' dependency, the shape of the peak of the boost and cut curves, when in 'bell', remain virtually constant according to the Q setting, no matter what level of boost or cut is in use. Even so, it is possible to mimic many other EQ types with Type 1, due to the flexibility of the control ranges. The boost and cut curves are mirror images of each other, termed reciprocal.
EQ Type 2
The boost curves are identical to Type 1, whereas the cut curves are tighter. In fact this is a true 'constant Q' equalizer where the cut curve is 3 times sharper than the boost curve, ideal for removing troublesome resonances.
EQ Type 3
This is a reciprocal EQ, which has a moderate amount 'gain' verses 'Q' dependency. This means that at lower boost and cut settings, the shape of the curve is broader, becoming progressively sharper with increased boost or cut. This characteristic feels very comfortable to the ears and this type of EQ is often deemed musical, resembling older well-loved Neve types and the SSL G-Series which came along in the late 80's.
EQ Type 4
This type has the greatest 'gain' verses 'Q' dependency. It's characteristics are very soft and gentle, likely to be extremely useful in mastering situations.
Note: Sonnox plug-ins require iLok authorization - see (#H70847)
Sonnox plug-ins use the Pace iLok key method of authorization, so the plug-ins can be installed on as many systems as desired, but can only be used on a single system at any one time, by insertion of the authorised iLok device into a USB port on the computer system in use.
If more than one copy of an Oxford plug-in is purchased, the authorizations should be transferred to different iLok devices, to enable use of the plug-in on more than one system at a time.
Mac OSX 10.7 Lion compatibility:
Sonnox has yet to complete compatibility testing of the Sonnox plug-ins range with Mac OSX 10.7 Lion. To ensure a trouble-free transition to Lion, we recommend that Sonnox users refrain from upgrading their Mac OS until we have completed our evaluations, and made update releases available as required. Check for a compatibility status change at Sonnox' website.
