Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue

The Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue is the most complete collection of classic equalizers ever in one DirectX / VST PlugIn: ten serial plus two parallel. Precise emulation of legendary analog equalizers, extended by progressive, new models: standard / vintage / modern / experimental. A sonic paradise for every recording and mixing engineer.

Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue Features:
-The most complete collection of classic analog equalizer emulations ever
-12-in-1 -- one dozen different equalizer types: 10 serial and 2 parallel
-PEQ styles for every taste: classic/vintage/modern/experimental
-Different frequency characteristics: classic/constant-Q/proportional/ideal-Q/special
-True emulation of the analog parallel feedback equalizer implemented for the first time in a commercial product (normally impossible due
  to so called delay-free feedback loops)
-Reliable operation with up to 384 kHz sampling frequency, thus perfectly suitable for high-resolution DSD post-production
-Extended center frequency setup up to 80 kHz for filtering in ultrasonic range in DSD applications
-Bell filters in all PEQ types normalized to look identically at + 6 dB boost and Q = 0.71 (ideal for fast sound comparisons between different
  types of equalizers)
-Every equalizer type provides 10 bands with five freely assignable parametric filter types: bell, low-shelf, high-shelf, low-cut,
  and high-cut
-Extremely low noise and low nonlinear distortion filter algorithms resulting in the residual THD+N significantly lower than 24-bit
  quantization noise
-Adjustable Q-factor for shelving and cut filters
-Several low-cut and high-cut filters can be overlapped to get desired brickwall characteristics
-Very low-noise and low-distortion upsampling technique for getting analog-like filter characteristics when working with low sampling
  frequencies: 44.1 and 48 kHz
-All internal calculations in double floating-point accuracy (80 bits)
-Resizable (DirectX only) and zoomable frequency-response display for high-precision adjustments
-Parameter editing via numerical fields or directly on the graphical display
-Three fast accessible presets for quick setup comparison
-Several instances, each with different PEQ type selection, can be simultaneously opened
-Complete setup exchange among several simultaneously opened instances
-Automatic latency compensation with compatible DAWs

Popular demand convinced Algorithmix to develop a classical recording/mixing equalizer but with unparalleled purity and transparency. The biggest problem in the beginning was the equalizer style, so to satisfy that as much as possible, Algorithimx decided to implement not only one, but an entire collection of traditional (minimal-phase) equalizers. Most of them emulate analog archetypes; some are based on new ideas.  Enjoy the dozen shades of Blue and find that favorite sound you previously could get only from very expensive outboard gear.

The equalizer is the oldest and the most popular sound processing tool. From the earliest days, its main function has been to correct or enhance sound by boosting or cutting certain frequency ranges. Engineers have developed countless equalizers for over 50 years. Some of them became legendary and were considered benchmarks--until now. The most popular version in recording and post-production studios is the parametric equalizer or PEQ. It offers maximal flexibility due to direct access to all relevant filter parameters. Properly used, the PEQ is a very powerful tool and the best friend of every sound engineer in the battle for perfect sound. If misused, it can be the greatest enemy of any recording.

In today’s era of digital audio workstations, hundreds of software parametric equalizers are available. Many of them are intended to be THE best sounding equalizer ever. The truth is that few of them are recognized and adored by the experts. You may ask why one equalizer sounds great while another does not. This question is almost as old as the equalizer itself and still is not completely answered. On the one hand there are some obvious rules which must be followed when designing a good sounding PEQ, on the other hand some esoteric claims driven by marketing departments or self-nominated audio evangelists, that never have really been proven. Especially treasured analog equalizers are considered by some people as being absolutely unique and unmatched by any ‘dirty’ digital equalizer. The truth is that with a properly designed, fully parametric analytic PEQ, every amplitude and phase characteristic of any other equalizer setup can be recreated. Of course, the contribution of distortions to the specific sound of a particular analog equalizer caused by the respective electronics has to be considered. If the distortions are ‘good’, they may make certain applications sound better. Usually, however, ‘bad’ non linear distortions and other deficiencies like limited dynamic range are surely not responsible for a ‘magic’ sound. Therefore Algorithimx policy in PEQ design has always been to make the equalizer filters as precise and clean as possible. For controlled generation of distortions (if you really need any), they recommend using enhancers or any other specialized processors with proper built-in anti-aliasing technology.

After Algorithmix unveiled its linear-phase equalizers, the best mastering engineers certificated their unparalleled sound clarity and transparency, declaring them to be the new benchmark worldwide. At that time, the main intention was developing an equalizer for critical mastering and re-mastering tasks that could significantly boost or cut complex audio material without adding its own sound. After passing this difficult exam, customers started asking Algorithimx to develop a classic PEQ for recording and mixing, but with the world-famous Algorithmix purity and transparency. They knew that there has been no single particular PEQ style that could satisfy all the different flavors and habits in the audio community.  Intensive research and development efforts finally resulted in the Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue, a parametric equalizer with 12 different faces. It contains the most complete collection of classic, vintage, modern and experimental equalizers ever included in one PlugIn. Hopefully, everybody will find his favorite PEQ characteristic depending on preferences and given applications. To avoid any conflict with trademark owners, Algorithimx did not assign any real names to the PEQ types. Instead, they gave them rather neutral names related to their technical classification.

Every PEQ type has 10 bands with five freely assignable parametric filter types including bell, low-shelf, high-shelf, low-cut, and high-cut. The most significant filters determining the equalizer name are bells. Set up to a certain Q, different bell filters change their bandwidth in a specific way depending on the boost or cut amount . To allow practical comparison between different equalizer types in the Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue, the bells in all PEQs have been normalized to 6 dB boost, i.e., a separate bell looks identical for 6 dB boost and the same Q, independent of chosen PEQ type.

The Classic Symmetrical is the most popular bell shape used in many mixers and outboard equalizers. It is almost constant-Q. The three Proportional PEQs emulate bell characteristics which change their bandwidth proportionally to boost or cut. It is said that they behave more musically when used for recording and mixing; one does not need to correct Q after every amplitude correction. Furthermore, there are three other constant-Q equalizers with characteristics mostly used by some American brands. Algorithmix also offers two proprietary constant-Q characteristics. The first one, Constant-Q Ideal, is a perfect version of the Classic Symmetrical equalizer, having exactly the same bandwidth at any amplitude within Q definition range (i.e., measured 3 dB below maximum amplitude at and above + 6 dB boost). Such PEQs are impossible to implement in the analog domain. Similar curiosum is the Constant-Q New following a new interesting Q definition. It preserves exactly the same bandwidth at the half of the maximum amplitude; this for all adjustable amplitude values (including, unlike the classical Q definition, the range below 6 dB boost). Due to its amplitude/bandwidth dependency in terms of classical Q definition, this new kind of constant-Q PEQ could also be added to the proportional group.

Finally Algorithimx emulated two vintage parallel equalizers. Unlike the serial parametric equalizer (almost all parametric PEQs are currently serial), parallel connected filters combine differently. They also behave differently in terms of phase. Their special problem with some interactive influences between bands is fully accepted due to compensation by a pleasant sound character. The Parallel LC emulates old parallel passive PEQ circuitry built with inductors and capacitors. The Parallel FF-FB emulates the feed-forward/feed-back structures still very popular in low-noise analog graphic equalizers. While the feed-forward path is trivial to implement, the feedback path is impossible to implement in traditional digital signal processing, because of the so-called delay-free feedback loops. In Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue, they apply a very elaborate technique for true emulation of delay-free feedbacks for the first time to a commercial product. The result is a characteristic sound and perfectly complementary filters for boost and cut.

In Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue, not only are various bell filters used but also different kinds of shelving filters. Nine of the serial equalizers use a new shelving filter generation characterized by cut-off frequency defined in the middle of the transition part. We found these filter definitions more intuitive than the classical ‘– 3 dB below maximum’. The old definition is only used in the Classic Asymmetrical type to conform to its original predecessor. All 2nd order shelving filters have a Q adjustment to emulate vintage characteristics with their specific bumps at higher slopes. Also, the parallel equalizers are equipped with respective shelving filters shapes being typical for the old parallel PEQs and interacting with other bands as did their analog predecessors.

Every complex PEQ is equipped with cut filters. In Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue, each of the 12 equalizers can assign 1st and 2nd order cut filters. The 2nd order filters have a Q adjustment to create so-called resonant filters characteristics and very steep brickwall filters after cascading more of them (Butterworth, Bessel, Elliptic).

Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue is a creative equalizing tool combining the best of both the analog and digital worlds. They modeled the most legendary analog equalizers including two parallel ones and added a few experimental characteristics only possible in digital domain. To avoid bell filter asymmetry at high frequencies, typical for many digital equalizers, Algorithimx have applied reference-quality upsampling techniques, automatically switchable if the sampling frequency of the input signal is 44.1 or 48 kHz. By using proprietary filter algorithms, they have achieved a huge dynamic range, as well as extremely low noise and distortion level and thus unparalleled sound purity--impossible with any analog circuitry. The whole equalizer collection works with sample rates up to 384 kHz and therefore is perfectly suitable for DSD post-processing. Several instances can be opened simultaneously. Complete setups can be easily exchanged between them. The true frequency response display is zoomable and in the DirectX version the whole PlugIn can be enlarged to the full screen.

Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue Applications:
-Recording studios: tracking, mixing, mastering
-High-resolution DSD post-processing including ultrasonic range
-Post-production
-Broadcast production
-Sound reinforcement: microphone response improvement, speaker deficiencies correction, room acoustic compensation
-Sound design and enhancement
-Audio restoration
-Correction of transmission losses

Algorithmix Linear Phase EQ Classic Blue System Requirements:
-Minimum configuration (one real-time DirectX/VST PlugIn loaded)
  -Windows 9x/Me/NT4/2000/XP Home or Professional
  -Pentium II 500 MHz
  -64 MB
  -1024x768 pixels resolution with true color (24bit or 32bit)
  -any compatible DirectX/VST Host Editor
  -USB port for hardware dongle
  -Sequoia/Samplitude 7.x, 8 allows fully automated PlugIn latency compensation
-Recommended configuration (more than one real-time DirectX/VST PlugIn loaded)
  -Windows 2000/XP Home or Professional
  -Pentium IV or AMD Athlon XP with at least 1 GHz (resolution low), 3.6 GHz or faster (resolution Xtra)
  -512 MB
  -1280x1024 pixels resolution with true color (32bit is usually fastest)
  -any compatible DirectX/VST Host Editor
  -USB port for hardware dongle
  -Sequoia/Samplitude 7.x, 8 allows fully automated PlugIn latency compensation