FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ Plugin Features and Functions

Introduction

• Speaker: Sam (Artist and Music Producer in Los Angeles, California)
• Topic: Overview of FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ plugin
• Purpose: Highlight features and explain basics of the plugin

Basic Functionality

Creating and Modifying Bands

• Double-click: Create a bell curve band
• Drag on yellow line: Create bell filter
• Change filter type: Access menu (low shelf, low-cut, etc.)
• Adjusting parameters:
  • Frequency: Click and drag up/down on frequency knob
  • Q (Resonance): Command-click and drag mouse
  • Gain: Click and drag up/down

Additional Options

• Right-click options:
  • Disable
  • Invert
  • Make dynamic
  • Change shape
  • Change slope
  • Split into left and right
  • Delete
• Slope changes: Default 12dB per octave, can be adjusted
• Hover help bubbles: Tips on functionality by hovering over elements

Monitoring and Adjusting Frequencies

Isolation and Listening

• Headphone button: Isolate and listen to specific frequencies
• Adjust volume: Drag mouse up/down while holding headphone button

Stereo and Field Manipulation

• Stereo field:

  • Splitting frequencies between left and right channels
  • Useful for synth tracks/pads

• Mid/Side processing: Useful for making bass mono

  • Example: Adding low-cut to side information below 400Hz

Advanced Features

Undo/Redo

• Arrows function: Step through changes

Switching Processing Modes

• A/B comparison: Test different processing methods

Spectrum Analyzer

• Hovering: Highlight prominent frequencies
• Automatic filter creation: Click on highlighted areas to adjust
• Precision adjustments: Zoom in/out for detailed tweaking

Dynamic Bands

• Creating a dynamic band: Set specific thresholds for frequency adjustments
• Automatic/manual threshold adjustments
• Dynamic EQ inversion: Acts as an expander when raised

Sidechain Functionality

• Sidechain routing: Apply dynamic band adjustments based on another audio source
• Example: Ducking pads to make room for vocals

Collision Detection

• Pre/post processing view: Shows frequency collisions
• Red areas: Indicate frequency build-ups
• External spectrum view: Show frequencies of other tracks with FabFilter Pro-Q 3 instances

User Interface Details

Analyzer Menu

• Turning views on/off: Manage spectrum and collision views
• Freeze function: Static spectrum analyzer view

EQ Match

• Input sources: Match EQ settings from side-chain or other tracks
• Automatic analysis: Provides EQ suggestions

Piano Grid

• Note-based view: Useful for tuning specific elements like kick drum frequencies

MIDI Learn

• Assign MIDI knobs to functions

Processing Latency

• Options: Zero latency, natural phase, linear phase

Final Notes

• Recommendation: Highly recommended plugin
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