EQ

Equalization is the most important and frequently used tool when working with sound.

A great EQ allows you to carve out a clear and defined tonal space for each instrument so that sounds combine without cluttering up the mix.

A great EQ should allow the user to bring out the special qualities of sounds while at the same time, reducing their less favorable aspects.

And probably most importantly, a great eq should also impart a certain sheen to a mix when wanted.
With sizzling highs and thundering low end punch, the De-Vice' ISON achieves all this and brings previously unknown flexibility and tonal shaping possibilities to Creamware's Scope.

There is no comparison with standard EQs.

 

Coloured 'Ghost curves' show exactly what each band is doing while the main yellow curve shows the resultant EQ curve.

 

Why do all EQ's sound different?

 

How an eq sounds is determined to a large degree by the interaction between the controls.

 

In a normal digital EQ, as you boost or cut a frequency (Gain), the Q (quality or bandwidth) that you set remains constant no matter how much you boost or cut.

 

This style of eq is referred to as having a 'Constant Q' whereas, in a typical analog circuit, precision of that type is very difficult to produce. In an analog eq, when a frequency is boosted or cut, the bandwidth or Q amount varies due to limitations in the circuit and components through which the signal passes. This constant circuit interaction called 'Q/Gain dependency' results in analog eqs having a different functional and tonal character than digital EQs.

 

These inherent flaws in analog processing are what actually determine the analog EQ's sound and lead people to label it with words like 'warm', 'smooth' and 'transparent'.

 

The central meter of the ISON allows you to switch the style of the EQ from digital constant-Q to classic style with Q/Gain dependency just like high end analog EQs.The meter also includes a dual L&R moving needle VU meter to monitor Input and output levels.
The ISON tackles these phenomena with 6 switchable modes of eq ranging from digital style with no Q/Gain dependency through to extreme Q/Gain dependency and a very subtle MASTER mode to simulate a broad range of EQ styles as used in famous classic eqs.
There's even a percussion mode for reducing ringing frequencies with drum tracks while using the other bands to boost the general high frequencies of the track.
24dB of gain for each band gives you enormous control over the sound allowing savage EQ'ing for fixing dull and lifeless sounds. This amount of gain works wonders on vocals and guitar and acoustic instruments in general.

dynamic D.S.P switching reduces DSP load

OK, the ISON is no light weight EQ! Normally a device with this many features and power uses masses of DSP no matter what is turned on.
The ISON circuit uses dynamic DSP switching which means EQ stages that are switched off use almost no DSP power from your Creamware/Sonic Core DSP card so you can use just the filters if you like without wasting extra DSP on the other stages.

Through 5 stages of EQ with 24dB of boost and cut per band and low and high pass 48dB per octave filters, you can be as subtle or extreme as you like. The highest and lowest bands of the ISON are switchable to shelving, allowing broad sweeping boosts and cuts to add sparkle and low end enhancement. A large high resolution graphic EQ curve shows you what's happening.

Surface controls are switchable between knobs or faders...we couldn't decide!

As early research into EQ has shown, an important consideration with shelving eq is what happens in the frequency range just below and above the point where the boost and cut in the shelving EQ is occurring. Say, you want to add some sparkle to the top end of a mix but don't want to boost the mid range. This 'overshoot' and 'undershoot' is crucial in reducing the midrange 'honkiness' and low range 'mudiness' often associated with digital, non-interactive shelving EQs.

 

 

The low and high-shelf switches have overshoot and undershoot switches.

The ISON eq gives you total control over these problem areas with adjustable 'overshoot' and 'undershoot' for both the high and low shelving sections of the highest and lowest frequency bands. When switched to shelf, the Q control acts as the 'overshoot' and 'undershoot' adjustment allowing the steepness and shape of the shelving curve to be manipulated. In addition, we give you upper and lower lip peak and dip switches to expand the range of creative possibilities.

Decramping is another feature which helps to improve clarity and warmth in the top and bottom ends of the frequency spectrum. You can adjust this and other special features at anytime during the mix from the SETUP page of the plug-in's interface and all settings can be stored as part of the preset list.

 

 

Normal digital EQs can sound harsh as the ultra high and low ends are consequently squashed back down to zero during EQ'ing. Our EQ simulates this style of digital EQ when the decramping switches on the SETUP page are switched to 'none'.

 The decramping feature of the ISON reduces the constriction of these highest and lowest frequency areas and effectively adds 'air' and bottom end presence to the sound as in an analog EQ design.

FILTERS FROM HEAVEN!

How could we forget to mention the filters!?

 

The high and low pass filters are switchable in 6dB steps from 6dB to 48dB per octave and are incredibly severe at 48dB! Use them to gently roll-off the high end to reduce hiss on a drum tape track or eliminate DC offset and rumble from problem sounds.

The sweep control allows you to sweep the normally unlinked HP&LP filters through their entire frequency range from 0=>24KHZ for dramatic filtering effects.

This link offset fader widens the gap between the linked HP&LP controls and allows a broader band of frequency to be swept.

  

F E A T U R E S

 

eq plugin highlights image7 stages of precision EQ with 24dB of boost and cut per bandeq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageDynamic DSP management so bypass stages use no DSP load!eq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imagehigh and low bands switchable to shelf EQ with variable overshoot and undershoot controlseq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageadditional high and low pass filter sections switchable in 6dB per octave steps to 48dBeq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageQ/Gain dependency to simulate a broad range of analog and digital EQ styleseq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights image6 switchable styles of EQ for maximum artistic flexibilityeq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imagehigh and low frequency decramped curves for sonic clarityeq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageLarge eq display with Ghost EQ curves showing individual frequency rangeseq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageControls switchable between knobs and faders...we couldn't decide!eq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageMASTER mode for subtle mix EQ'ingeq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageStereo and mono, project window and mixer insert compatibleeq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageSingle, multiple and filter only versions included for reduced DSP loadeq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageCompare function for easy A/B'ing between two settingseq plugin highlights image

eq plugin highlights imageFull MIDI controleq plugin highlights image

 

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