Wavesfactory EQUALIZER - another INTELLIGENT EQ? (vs SmartEQ3 and Gullfoss)

[@FoliaSound]

Helloooo! What do you think about new Wavesfactory Equalizer? What do you think about my test? Lemme know down below, as always!

[@IntellliGiant]

But as I understand - curves are already here, and you have shown them - you can draw anything manually or choose a curve from preset, so that the plugin will flatten spectrum only in the way you want it I think the plugin's workflow is intended to combine flattening function and manual curves - you draw basic rough filtering, and the plugin does the rest - equalizes only parts which you're not sure about. So this can have probably 2 implementations - 1) mastering in bad conditions (bad mix, bad monitoring, lack of experience etc), when you want first to make things "normal" before making creative improvements 2) also it's good for restoration of mixing material - when you have an iphone-recorded vocal or bad sample/stem, and you want it first to become "normal" not to mix up anti-error actions with creative improvements All in all, it's probably more of restoration thing, rather than mixing tool

[@ward63]

You misunderstand the way this plugin works. It doesn't want to make it flat! It analyse the incoming signal (it is an AI plugin) and based on that signal, which has of course a curve of its own (which is NOT flat) it tries to even that out (balancing the original curve, NOT making it flat!) and make it more cohesive, according to that analysed curve and depending on the amount you choose (with a lot of parameter to work with). There are too many reviewers on KZbin who don't make enough effort to get to know the plugins they review. That is very sad to note. I would say "Do your homework!"

[@mainsailsound983]

I’m getting nice results for vocals. I like tools like this because they can help you reset your ears and point to potential problem areas, whether you keep the plug-in on the track or not

[@Tekkerue]

I've been testing the demo and I'm definitely going to get it (waiting until the end of the month to see if Plugin Boutique adds any more freebies). I'd say it's more of a corrective tool than a creative coloring tool, kind of like putting primer on the wall before adding your color of choice on top of it. The fact that you can increase or decrease processing in each band to focus on the area(s) you want is something I really wish Gullfoss had. I always add multiple instances to create a multiband setup, but it is so much nicer to have it all in one plugin.

[@Beatsbasteln]

i like that it moves so much. unique sound character, just like trackspacer. maybe it would be a nice creative effect of some sort

[@FoliaSound]

Trackspacer? Well, it moves, but definitely in a different way than Trackspacer...

[@Beatsbasteln]

@@FoliaSound yeah, but maybe it's just because trackspacer moves in response to a different input. it seems like it's technically similiar

[@PharaohLawLess1]

I own the Smart EQ3 and Gullfoss (which is must when I mix) so I just downloaded the trial version and I'm gonna test it out. I own Track Spacer 2.5 and Spectre from Waves Factory which I love

[@FoliaSound]

So, we have a similar toolset! I also have Teote, works very much like Gullfoss!

[@PharaohLawLess1]

@@FoliaSound I’ve never even heard of Teote. I’ll give it try

[@glennloopez]

I did buy it after watching a longer video from the developer (so maybe that's why I wasn't pulling out my hair while using it with that super annoying voice). Once I heard which material you were gonna test it on I didn't think you were gonna be impressed :D For me it sounds very good on live recorded music, like today I was mixing acoustic guitar and it gave a shine I really liked - I think also pads and similar could benefit from this plugin to bring some life in specific areas of the 32 bands available . From your starting point of the video I agree with your thoughts about squashing the signal, but for me this plugin isn't a mix a complete song magically like Smart EQ. I would use it to bring back life to an acoustic guitar, shine to a vocal etc. Why would I make electronic music sound flat? you are right - that makes no sense. so I think I will use this plugin on certain material on a usual basis going forward, but most certainly not as a go to mixing tool eq

[@FoliaSound]

Good to know experience with it! Probably sometimes it'll be a good balancer, but not on every track. I'm also looking forward to more curves, this plugin literally is asking for that.

[@pavelfajtfree]

Thank you for review. All is matter of taste. Also your kind of music is already very "clean" and sampled (with all the respect).. so the real judge would be with acoustic music. But in general could be good tool for reference listening and maybe for using. Thank you again. ... I just download the demo and, because I have rough drum tracks I usi it. For sure it is improvement, even after mastering plugins. Subtle, but not unimportant. In my case I use it just on bass spectrum, because it automatically gains the highs too much. In general... no step to the wrong direction

[@FoliaSound]

Thanks, Pavel!

[@zmpfl5044]

First of all, thank you for this very transparent use of Equalizer. I understand the very obvious contradiction of making everything equally flat. Nevertheless, I see the possibilities to intuitively intervene with this tool in individual tracks or even in the final mix as extremely high.

[@FoliaSound]

Thanks for a comment! My feel is that the scope of intervention is very limited here: you can only choose how much you align your audio to the flat curve. Can't change the curve itself...

[@pacman_pol_pl_polska]

It's not meant to be smart eq as in smart mix. From what the dev said it's not about following a flat or predestined curve. It tries to smooth out the source based on that source. It's tempting to try it on a acoustic guitar but not necessary on that price point ;-)

[@FoliaSound]

Can you really apply your own curve here? Can't find it anywhere... As "smartness", this is what they wrote themselves in the first sentence of the promo: "Equalizer is an audio plugin that intelligently and automatically EQs your tracks".

[@yanperchuk1]

Hey there! Thx for the review! I watch them quite a lot. In my opinion, as someone who makes a living mixing, you didn't take into consideration the speed and convenience with which Equalizer solves the problem of badly recorded or simply problematic sources. When you mix 2-3 songs a day, having this tool is super convenient. The parameters allow you to tweak it to your liking. As far as "creative" mixing goes, it sounds right, but it also sounds very over romanticized. Besides, no one said it should be the only plug in in the chain.

[@FoliaSound]

Hey, Yan! I do understand this, I'm into SmartEQ3, Gullfoss, Teote, soothe2. They let me achieve tonal balance in many different ways and they do it better than Equalizer. Cheers!

[@happyshadow]

You’re grouping all these tools into the same category; they all do different things!

[@DogBoots77]

That was my initial reaction as well ("do you really want to make everything equal on channels in a mix?"). But I have to say, I like on most things I put it on so I don't quite know how to reconcile these two things. At least on master bus it could make sense theoretically also. I really like what it's doing to the mix I'm working on....also on several individual channels...hm... That and the one-knob dynamics in Saturn II that I'm in the process of giving myself permission to use because it just sounds good in so many cases. Am I automating myself out of my job?

[@ward63]

Yes, that's also what I thought at first, but the plugin gets the target curve from the original audio, so not a flat curve (a flat curve where every frequency is equally represented is noise btw). The reviewer is in my opinion very biased and did not take enough time to get to know this plugin properly. That disappoints me a bit: someone who asks money for all kinds of advice (membership), but fails to do his homework properly! And every track where he used this plugin immediately sounded better.

[@producerfuji_official]

Question where should this eq go in your vocal chain or instrument buss doesn’t chain first or last to get the best results

[@iFFOGo]

Great review, again and thanks! It luck's like maybe Wavesfactory EQUALIZER idea is to fix sound before our EQ/smart correction we apply to get it's place in the mix?! If so, they may be have a place in our plugins collection :)

[@FoliaSound]

For that purpose I use only cutting, never boosting, and soothe2 does the job amazingly! Anyway, I like your approach and can agree here!

[@jamesrutherford]

great to see you my friend great show!! Im using trackspacer

[@FoliaSound]

Thanks, James!

[@perfectharmany]

Tried it and love it for certain material. I use gullfoss too, but this has way more control to me. I’ll be using this on individual tracks like synths, guitars and vocals. Instant buy for me. Y’all tripping it’s 🔥🔥, just wish it could be side-chained.

[@forestsunset9617]

side chaining is dead

[@dirg3music]

​@@forestsunset9617in what world?? Lmfao.

[@forestsunset9617]

@@dirg3music In the world of better sounding music.

[@public_hell]

Take 2 copies of one audio (A & B), and insert the Trackspacer on one of them (for example B), then route A into the sidechain of the Trackspacer and switch the A off the master output. Now you have the signal flattener))

[@FoliaSound]

Nice workaround, but I'm not sure whether I'd use it in any case. Thanks anyway!

[@public_hell]

@@FoliaSound It's kinda half irony but from the technical perspective - when every frequency in the FFT domain tries to compress itself, its a flattening)

[@TonyChamberlist]

I like Equalizer, but I think its role is perhaps more remedial than it is creative. It might give a track a better starting point for tone and dynamic shaping later...

[@FoliaSound]

You're one more person saying this, so all I can say is that it's a valid point for sure!

[@huberttorzewski]

Hmm, I think it may have its use cases when mixing. If you have a specific problem that's moving across the "boxy" range, you can use it to fix the problem, and it may be more appropriate than Gullfoss or Soothe in a case like that. But it's definitely not a go-to mixing tool; it's more of a tool to fix a rare problem.

[@FoliaSound]

You're probably right!

[@westonthefoster]

To be honest I like the results of EQUALIZER. As far as i'm concerned, only the results matter. I've been using the demo only on my master buss & i cannot get any eq to sound as good. I will be buying it. For unmasking I use Wavesfactory trackspacer on my group busses, this may become another must have on my mixes. Nice video Folia..

[@FoliaSound]

Thx again!

[@dennisg967]

I think the idea is to get the mix closer to being flat, not to actually make it flat. I agree that making it completely flat makes it kind of lifeless. But getting it closer to being flat can fix imbalances in the mix. I think Gullfoss does pretty much the same thing, just judging by its controlls. Nice video thou. Thanks for the review.

[@FoliaSound]

Thanks, Dennis!

[@AlucardXIX]

I found it worked best by focusing specific ranges more than just broadband. Like I enjoyed how it handled just the mid range of some vocals, and just the upper mids and top end of a master. I didn't care for how it handles low end, but I didn't like how Gulfoss did that either.

[@FoliaSound]

Yep, deboxing the vocals worked also best for me!

[@EdSoloUK]

I still think its usfull to make things flat so then you have a even starting point to EQ afterwards

[@Solid_Hank]

Helps you hear it too! But what i need to get better at personally is shaping everything to make distinctions and give everything its own space. Making everything smoother is very difficult to get good at but its not the full story.

[@FoliaSound]

I'd say removing major imbalances is good, but making wll ruler flat to bring back any character and frequency occupation... Well, not my thing!

[@mses3028]

I do a lot of mixing where artists send a 2-track, lets say downloaded of YT. I use this plugin on the beat to make it flat/balanced on the track it self (if needed), and then I'll dial in from there on my other busses 👍

[@kingyasofficial]

Wouldn’t use it on a whole mix but maybe for vocals

[@DrGuy118]

Wavesfactory Equalizer Demo... This is funnier than a prank 😂😂

[@DerekPower]

1 - I presume that you were putting some Polish curse on the demo announcement. That's justifiable violence ;) =] 2 - To play devil's advocate, I don't think this plugin was designed to be the only EQ plugin you would use on a signal chain. If anything, I could see myself using it more as a "dynamic corrective EQ" to ensure a more consistent tonal balance and *then* get creative with additional processing including additional EQ. 3 - I do understand what you mean by what mixing is and is not. For me personally, I think of mixing as the chance to address either technical issues or to be creative. Going back to the EQUALIZER, I think it is better served for the technical rather than creative. 4 - I have to give it to Wavesfactory in that it is a new approach to the whole "intelligent plugin". After all: Soundtheory's Gulfoss is about conforming a signal to a "psychoacoustic profile", sonible's smart:EQ(3) is about conforming a signal to an instrument profile you tell it to use, Oeksound's soothe and Baby Audio's Smooth Operator is about addressing resonances, etc.

[@FoliaSound]

All well said, Derek. Thanks!

[@l_ello]

I haven't tried the demo and i’m on my phone atm, so i cant really hear the quality of the plug-in. But i would think i would use it to flatline the audio, then use a normal eq to color the Sound after. I dont know if that was the intention with the plug-in?

[@FoliaSound]

Might be, but again: why to even flat out things to restore their tonality in the next step? Regular EQ-ing gives you exactly that at the end, but requires less steps and less processing!

[@l_ello]

@@FoliaSound like if the recording is bad balanced or there is resonating frequencies. Almost like filming a film as grey and boring as possible and then colorgrading after.

[@ssserotonin1373]

LMFAO I thought the waves factory equalizer sound tag was placed in by you until it started going ham and you had that reaction LMAOOOO... Bro the plugin seems like it helped you make that song sound pretty fire though. opinions on it vs eq4 smart?

[@billyfileccia7940]

The shoot here IMO is that the smart EQ is pointy a little edgy. Wavesfactory is Smoother and has more depth… but needs to be tweeted for the sparkle…. What I noticed in using it is it adds depth if done right and it doesn’t loose the sparkle…… For some reason the Wavesfactory sounded a little lower in volume…… thanks for the review…….

[@FoliaSound]

Thanks, Billy!

[@Mrfpsara]

Great honest review! I use gulfoss and sooth and fail to understand what is the magic in having everything flat, thank you

[@FoliaSound]

Thank you too, good to see you here!

[@edwardkenemorales]

Well that depends in the context you are using it. In individual tracks, “flat” tracks makes good starting point to mix. In the master channel, the flatter the track, the more chance it will translate better to a lot of playback systems since it doesnt have hyped frequencies. Im not saying its good all the time, but thats the way I think about it.

[@Mrfpsara]

@@edwardkenemorales I use sonible true balance to compare my masters against reference mixes, non of the masters are flat…also I don’t see an advantage of having everything flat as a starting point, mixing is not a race that everyone needs to stand at an equal start line…mixing is more about enhancing every players zone and territory, EQ is more about setting fences, boarders and showing the nice frequencies, zeroing everything as a starting point is not much help…

[@forestsunset9617]

everyone focused on production but don't give enough time to creating decent music

[@adamsmith7058]

@@forestsunset9617 Too true. Seventies rock star, Todd Rundgren's, mixes are famously awful, but his songs blow away most contemporary stuff easily. The same goes for quite a few artists from that period, who while sonically not having the best production by today's standards, have produced some awesome music.

[@cachelesssociety5187]

If I'm not mistaken Gullfoss is very similar, but Equalizer may be more of a blend between Gullfoss and Soothe2. As far as I know (and as little as I understand) Gullfoss is named after a waterfall with a PERCEPTUALLY flat (although because of this NOT ACTUALLY FLAT) spectral balance. The word PERCEPTUAL is key. Humans don't hear things based on actual decibal amounts regardless of the band they're in. The spectral bands are perceived in a scaling, and Gullfoss seems to use that to poke down, and poke up the elements that violate that "perceived balance". Soothe2 is comparable in the sense that things that "poke" in terms of dynamic suddenness are reduced by that plugin. But it is very different than Gullfoss otherwise, and both Gullfoss and Soothe2 have their uses in my workflow but at different times. (For example, Gullfoss is particular good at times when the mix is too dense for a track group or master. By reducing what's poking out and overtaking the overall mix (e.g. resonance) it makes the elements in the mix seem more clearly perceivable. Yet Soothe 2 is good for instruments like electric guitars or vocals or cymbals that sometimes have brittly resonance areas that have dynamic obtrusiveness - they sound abrasive as they jump up repeatedly. Soothe2 can reduce those moves in the parts of the spectrum where you aim it. )

[@FoliaSound]

Well explained, thanks!

[@CrisPearson]

@cachelesssociety5187 Nice explanation. How do you see trackspacer/fuser and smart:eq fitting into that? Do they have a place in your workflows

[@vojtecheffenberger3672]

Yep its not tool to make soundguys obsolete, its mentioned like problem solving tool which does that great imho

[@FoliaSound]

I'm still more into soothe2 as my problem solver, but you're probably right!

[@unsaved6]

Getting everything flat first and then pulling things forward or pushing back to taste is not a bad way to mix, like with every plugin, it’s easy to overdo it. I find that this plugin instantly opens up any sound you throw at it leaving you with enough controls to tweak it to your own taste.

[@lawinter1949]

It seems to me like mixing is not the point of this plugin. I would use this more like soothe2 where I need to restore a sound to be better quality before I mix and fit all the parts together. I don’t think is meant to mix you track for you.

[@FoliaSound]

Interesting, the website claims that: "Equalizer significantly streamlines the mixing process, delivering high-quality results with unprecedented speed". I'm quite confused whether I'm having a mixing tool in front of me or not...

[@lawinter1949]

@@FoliaSound Well... I know Im splitting hairs but I would consider tone shaping prior to "mix fitting" part of the mixing process. I do see your point though, it is misleading. I tested this against Fast Equlaizer by focusrite which also uses Sonible's AI algorithm and the resulting eq curves were almost identicle. Wavesfactory just got ther instant and is dynamic while fast eq is static. Not sure how feel about it yet.

[@happyshadow]

Imagine a vocal that was recorded too close to mic, you may have frequencies that jump out..this plugin would level out the frequency spectrum in real time. You can then do your normal vocal processing but on a much more even vocal. Similar to Soothe but from an eq angle rather than responding to resonances

[@matumbuvumge1388]

Gracias 😊

[@FoliaSound]

No problemo!

[@Drfresh1402]

The voice interruption drastically affects one’s perception of what’s happening because the voice is so loud. I just tried the plugin and I have to say, it sounds better than Gulfoss. I think it will become a classic.

[@FoliaSound]

Fair point, we'll see what happens in a couple of months :)

[@KozmykJ]

It seems to aim for 'Flat Pink' rather than "Flat White' , which is sensible. I haven't seen any 'Learn Mode' yet. Seems a lot to do in 'Real Time'.

[@FoliaSound]

Absolutely, I was thinking about pink, saying ruler flat!

[@alsoulmusic]

I picked up EQUALIZER and I am getting nice results too. I think that too many people get caught up on wether a new product will replace existing products. This does not replace smart eq. In certain situations it make smart eq better. Like @mainsailsound983 said, It is a nice reset. It helps to do all of the corrective work. After that you can use what ever you want to do the creative work. I don't look at the tool as a replacement of creative mixing, it actually helps you get to creative work faster. I will use this on every mix.

[@FoliaSound]

I'm absolutely fine with your approach, thanks for sharing this! Disagreeing on something with keeping full respect for the other side is a really great thing. Cheers!

[@lawinter1949]

The more I think about the tests on this video the more I think it was like comparing a hammer and brick and how well they drive a nail into a board. One is obviously dessigned for that specific task and the other can do it but is not actually made to do it and so it doesnt work even close to as well.

[@FoliaSound]

When driving the nail, always use a hammer. I have a feeling that I spent my time with a brick. There same basic rules for EQ-ing and going ruler flat is mainly not among them...

[@DSenji]

I kinda disagree with your point at the mixing section. These plugins aren't necessarily trying to make the mix sound flat and lifeless but more-so achieve tonal balance which most often = clarity. In the comparison, both of the plugins opened up the mix and made it sound much more defined, though EQ seems to have a steeper high end curve than Smart EQ3. All in all, this seems like a good cheaper alternative for Gulfoss but I'll still personally think TEOTE from Voxengo is king.

[@FoliaSound]

I would then seriously call the plugin "balancer" and market the plugin differently. Cheers!

[@jacobgrab7900]

What do you think about SplitEQ ?

[@FoliaSound]

Not my thing really :) But I think it's a really good tool overall!

[@TianpeiWang]

In the end it's a 32 bands compressor or dynamic EQ with adjustable curve. It does more compression/upward expansion than EQing for me, cuz there is obvious pumping going on.

[@FoliaSound]

You can adjust the processing curve, you can't change the eq curve itself, which is adjusted to pink noise and can't be changed. This is what I mean.

[@TianpeiWang]

@@FoliaSound What I mean is this is a dynamic processor, rather than a EQ. All bands have attack and release. And it changes the envelop especially for low tempo songs which is something you don’t want from a EQ.

[@FoliaSound]

@@TianpeiWang , what I mean, is that people attack me for saying than there's no adjustable EQ curve in this plugin, then I reply that processing curve is not the same as dynamic EQ curve, ten they claim they meant something else and then I'm thinking that sometimes I don't know how to speak to them, so that they hear what I really said in the vid, instead of pointing me out for no reason. You're another person trying to do that. Cheers.

[@TianpeiWang]

@@FoliaSound I don’t know why you take it as a hate comment. I just wanna let the viewers know that this is more a dynamic processor rather than a EQ, which has nothing to do with your video content. No need to overthink.

[@FoliaSound]

@@TianpeiWang , you're far from a hate comment, come on! Have a great day/evening, wherever you are!

[@croay]

I'm honestly surprised with how people completely miss the point with this plugin. Literally no one, including the company that makes it, is telling you that making everything flat is a good idea. What this is is a quick fix for audio that needs tonal balancing of some sort. In occasions where you would usually pick a tilt filter - for example-, this becomes a much more flexible alternative.

[@samphelps856]

Thank you

[@FoliaSound]

Thanks, no probs!

[@bluematrix5001]

Hello, Waves Factory Equalizer is not intended to make it "flat" (maybe you heard the WF Guy where really how he expressed himself about the Concept of the Plugin was kinda non sense)...... but anyway you did not understand how the plugin works and how to use it... you may not like the Plugin........ and I am not sure yet if I like the Waves Factory Plugin, but I get what this Plugin does and how it works and maybe would be cool to have it as an specific "Tool" than more that an all purpose bread and butter Equalizer. In this WF Plugin all it all depends of your CURVE, the Cut and BOOST and the amount of the Effx... yes you can try to balance it out as you call it "Flat" less or more.... but that is not only what it can do.... , just think about it, different curves cut , boost and amount will give you different results, so that can not be only "Flat"......... now, being said that.... possibly SmartEQ 3 is better and more like a Traditional EQ in the general sense (I know is very advance)...when Waves Factory is more like a kind of Processor maybe like a parallel EQ/kind of Exciter/sound better thing and is not like an all around EQ where you shape or sculpt the sound the way you want

[@FoliaSound]

Hey, please - let me know where and how I set my own curve. I know I can set the per-band curve of processing amount, but I believe there is no way to apply your own EQ curve. This is the sentence from the description of the plugin from Wavesfactory: "It's an equalizer in the most literal sense; it tries to make everything equal." Before telling me that I don't understand something, make sure you yourself got the full understanding what you're doing or saying, thanks!

[@bluematrix5001]

@@FoliaSound you are summing the wrong description and got caught on that, again you may not like the plug-in and even the plug-in may not be an equalizer to be use in any track…. But is not that you get the same result does not Mather what you do with the parameters ….. you took to literal the guy of WF…. And I am Not defending the Plug-in I even do not know if I want to buy it or not

[@MrMarcoGhonzx]

@ bluematrix I agree with you

[@FoliaSound]

Ok, I'll be frank: I completely don't get what you're trying to tell me. First you tell me there is actually the curve, which is apparently not there, then you soften your claims and say you don't even defend the plugin. I took it literally? How else should i take it, metaphorically? Come on! I studied poetry and literature and this is not the case: when you declare the behaviour of a product, expect your public review it honestly. Also, the way you punctuate you "sentences" makes you logic very blurry and less meaningful, sorry to say. Try to express your stance briefly and straight to the point. I'm quite amazed that there are always people defending companies and products, even if they're not sure whether they understand or like the product themselves. Fortunately, I learned not to take much care, because saying things like "..... You don't understand......" mean, I beg you a pardon, very little. Have a great, productive day anyway!

[@bluematrix5001]

@@FoliaSound man, you get so pissed and heated and do not admit maybe you did not investigate the plugin further ,,,, and that does not mean you have to like the plugin. ...explain why are so many other youtubers/reviewers that get it? relax... you draw the Curve and then you use the cut and boost and also the amount... honestly, relax man and just take it openly, but instead you choose to get so aggressive ...have a good day

[@owenkitto27]

Nice mate ❤

[@FoliaSound]

Ha, Owen, good to see you again! Thanks!

[@keepforest]

use paralell - like dry wet :D its all mustly for this. Its greate plugin on right hands

[@happyshadow]

I think you have completely misunderstood what this tool is for. You can use it to creat a flat start or you can draw a curve that the plugin with maintain, from there you can use other tools to add colour.

[@FoliaSound]

I misunderstood things, you say? What is the point of getting the sound flat and then reshape it again? Every music instrument, every element of your mix will have a natural curve to start from and this is perfectly normal in music making. Want to cause more phase issues with flattening and rebuilding the curve? Sure thing, go for it! Before claiming somebody misunderstood anything - ask yourself about validity of your own perspective. And learn to disagree with respect.

[@happyshadow]

@@FoliaSound the point of getting something (headed towards) flat (or balanced in a way you define yourself) is very time saving before the source hitting a plugin or piece of gear where you want it to be more uniform across the spectrum. I find this very handy AND its a different approach to soothe (iMORE phase coherent as Wavesfactory have stated due to having fixed position bell curves, you'll also notice how many options for oversampling and quality settings to make up for this in soothe which isn't always possible in a large mix session - enter Equaliser). I've been using Equaliser a lot for more broad balancing pre other process stages. If you knew me you would know that I am very happy to disagree but In this case I feel like a case has to be made to correct someone who is assessing a plugin from a manufacturer I really rate in a way that doesn't make sense.

[@KYTHERAOfficial]

Did you try TEOTE? 🤙🤙

[@FoliaSound]

I know it and love it. I mention it at the end of my vid!

[@KYTHERAOfficial]

@@FoliaSound oh oops :D

[@JJ-cx9bm]

Hey, music newbie here. Do you think this would work for me? I"ve made several excellent tracks except for some hot issues. Im not great at eqing due to a hearing problem. Do you think this would resolve the harsh sounds in some of my tracks? Is it worth it? Thanks.

[@FoliaSound]

Well, can't really answer this :( I would give it a try, if not - try TEOTE or Gullfoss and see what happens. Good luck!

[@JJ-cx9bm]

@FoliaSound THANK YOU! Will definitely give it a shot!

[@FoliaSound]

@@JJ-cx9bm do it and drop me a comment what you like most!

[@ramspencer5492]

I don't understand this plugin. I figured since it was waves factory it had to be good. But the other video I saw reviewing it... I didn't like the audio. I felt like things were just being tucked away when they got a little louder.... But not in a musical way. It felt kind of artificial. Just like making everything stay confined to a certain volume.... In a frequency dependent way.....No matter what. Am I missing something?

[@FoliaSound]

I'm asking this question myself, too...

[@expresswayrecords7306]

There's only a couple videos up for this plugin. Based on that, I'd say you are not usinng the plugin correcting. I'm downing the demo now.

[@FoliaSound]

Guys, again: I use tilt in my video. I apply the curve and it's the PROCESSING AMOUNT curve, not the EQ curve. I'm 110% sure about it. What's the part I'm using "wrong" here?

[@happyshadow]

You used Smart Eq which has pre defined curves suited to the sources across a bunch of tracks then put Gulfos across the master which accentuates pleasing frequencies and tames unpleasant frequencies THEN compared it to Equaliser which is designed to flatten!?! How is this a fair comparison? I think you need to do another video to clarify

[@FoliaSound]

Well, I never claimed these tools do the same thing and I know they don't. Wavesfactory claims in their promo that Equalizer is "an intelligent mixing tool", so I tried to compare it against other intelligent mixing tools. I discovered that making things flat as a mixing technique doesn't work at all. Mic recorded too close? I'll use regular shelf EQ and ask the people to record it better next time. Resonant, unbalanced sources? soothe2 is my thing. Cheers!

[@happyshadow]

@@FoliaSound 🤯

[@edwardkenemorales]

The closest plugin Ive seen in the market to this is probably voxengo’s TEOTE.

[@FoliaSound]

Yep, totally true, but Teote curve and the way it works over time make it way more musical and usable for me...

[@jessicad.555]

@@FoliaSound I agree, to my ears i get much results with Teote. But i guess its just a matter of taste. But the GUI is great...😀

[@joeyf808]

The Demo Voice, LOL!!

[@FoliaSound]

Annoying, true :(

[@robbiemichaels2347]

Great video and you had the exact feeling as I had after playing with the demo. This one is not for me and don’t understand why anyone would want this to be honest.

[@FoliaSound]

Yep, there are some of us. Hope Wavesfactory improves the curve and let you choose one!

[@-musiclee-]

You can draw in your own curves. So it won’t be flat. That’s what those dots lines are for. I think you need to spend more time with it as it does a lot more than you demo’d

[@FoliaSound]

I don't know how I can say it to be understood: AMOUNT curve and EQ curve are two completely DIFFERENT things. What I lacked in the plugis was the choice of an EQ curve, NOT an amount curve. Hope my clarification helps. If not - sorry, I'm busy and can't discuss it any longer. Cheers!

[@BattleAngelSound]

This plugin gives me a similar 'vibe' to Gullfoss and I don't like it. Both for me sound 'artificial', unnatural(?) or maybe too perfect? I can't find a vocabulary for it but while I'm impressed at the beginning (mainly with Gullfoss) after longer casual listening outside the studio I feel like they make everything sound unpleasant/fake. For me, these plugins are the 'hardcore brickwall limiting' of the 2020s: great first impression but tiring after longer listening sessions. Ps. Smart EQ should have more profiles for electronic music. Dunno why they ignored it completely besides just one synth profile.

[@FoliaSound]

Yes! SmartEQ3 could be a bit more detailed, absolutely! Thanks!

[@DaveChips]

I'm also not for flat spectrum... But tbh it seemed quite nice on vocals

[@FoliaSound]

Yep, it did work on vocals, true!

[@x-dsemusica.a8750]

Equializer destroys all “intelligent” eq plugins because its works like it could be the others too. The Autogain is a real Autogain.

[@FoliaSound]

Not sure I fully got it, but thanks for a comment!

[@x-dsemusica.a8750]

@@FoliaSound what the other eqs do is that they do not really take into account what each sound needs, they make an estimate but it is not what it should do because it does not take into account the range of each instrument, on the other hand equalizer does, it also has attack and release, mid side, autogain, cut and boost and the delta.

[@x-dsemusica.a8750]

@@FoliaSound remember this plugin will end up using the whole world, thanks to you for the video.

[@dernuniverse9813]

Is just the new society completely flat depressed and boring

[@FoliaSound]

Yes! The good news is Wavesfavtory can still bring some colorful curves into this plugin!

[@Sebastianandthedeepbluemusic]

U can adjust the curve. Watch the vid they put out

[@FoliaSound]

Yes, this is the processing amount curve and I also use it in the vid. There's no EQ curve - and that's what I mean!

[@Sebastianandthedeepbluemusic]

@@FoliaSound oh got ya, I just put it there for the other commenters in case they misunderstood like I did. I am looking forward to trying this, not to mix for me, but it does have an interesting effect. could be fun. at this point for me I just look for fun new weird ideas

[@MikeBensonmichael2pointO]

Wavesfactory Equalizer sounds best to me. Nothing stood out to me as out of place or off. As a mixer, that's what I try to do.

[@FoliaSound]

Whoah, this is interesting. Thanks flr a comment!

[@ES60Hz]

I am not sure that your test is valid because I am almost sure that "TEOTE" is the same as EQUALIZER but with different options, and Gulfoss + Smart EQ are totally different weapons, so you should have done a test of TEOTE vs EQUALIZER

[@FoliaSound]

I know Teote for years and I can guarantee you it doesn't behave the same. It doesn't simply align your signal to ruler flat response, there's much more to it and its tonal balance.

[@DSenji]

TEOTE, Gulfoss, Equalizer, and Smart EQ (to an extent) all do the same thing

[@MrMarcoGhonzx]

Paul, you got confused with this Plugin, is not what you are saying.

[@FoliaSound]

What do you mean? I think I'm not confused at all.

[@Mike_Benz_]

In the very limited time I've tried it, which was on a vocal, it didn't do a better job than me EQíng the vocal myself. SmartEQ is far less CPU intensive, and even Gulfoss is less CPU intensive.

[@FoliaSound]

Didn't check on that, important info, thanks!

[@forestsunset9617]

nonsense, i've put this on about 10 tracks and the master and didn't notice much lag

[@forestsunset9617]

@@Mike_Benz_ my CPU was fine

[@Mike_Benz_]

@@forestsunset9617 So was mine, but it uses more DSP/CPU than the other 2 plugins I mentioned.

[@johnnyvegas2015]

definitely something i will NOT be buying ...thanks for the review

[@FoliaSound]

Thanks, Johnny, good to see you again!

[@meghanandrockmackay5804]

Great to put before an eq on a badly eq'ed instrument.

[@FoliaSound]

My answer to this is: remove bad EQ-ing or record properly. If none of these is possible, I go for soothe2!

[@davidgroeneveld1382]

I liked the idea of this plugin. So I downloaded the demo. And was greeted with that voice telling me it's a demo. And again. And again. So I stopped trying it and decided I don't need it. Maybe it would be great in my collection but that voice makes the overall experience a bad one. Will not buy it for this reason

[@FoliaSound]

Totally, I hope they change it soon, because it'll stop people from buying for sure!

[@M189-i3b]

First✌️✌️✌️

[@FoliaSound]

Hi!

[@virtuoskommunizieren]

Tested it today. Compared to Unfilter, SmartEQ and gullfoss - no chance. Was not impressed

[@FoliaSound]

Same here. Cheers!

[@robbiemichaels2347]

Couldn’t agree more

[@drydessert4198]

I find the vocal as annoying as the demo reminder.

[@deshaunjones2412]

Ayaic Ceilings Of Sound Pro is the best for what they're trying to achieve here. This is a disappointment.

[@FoliaSound]

I'll check it out for you today!

[@nomoimusic3096]

WAVESFACTORY EQUALIZER DEMO

[@FoliaSound]

Yep, hope they quit this watermark, it's bad :(

[@Intimatycal]

oh yeah there is nothing much in the house genre as well lmao

[@FoliaSound]

I'm not sure what you mean. House music and all its genres are same as any other kind of music: there are good tracks and bad tracks. You might not like it, but it's just the matter of personal taste, I suppose.