PRO-Q UPDATED

If you’ve been waiting patiently for the final release of FabFilter’s Pro-Q 2, then you can stop holding your breath, FabFilter has announced that it’s available for purchase.  The Pro-Q2 is a major update to the Pro-Q equalizer plug-in, with new features — such as Full Screen mode, unique Natural Phase processing, Auto Gain, Spectrum Grab, Gain-Q interaction, and slope support for all filter types.

Completely redesigned EQ engine
Pro-Q 2 has a completely redesigned internal filter engine, from the ground up — not only improving the existing Zero Latency and Linear Phase processing modes, but also introducing a unique Natural Phase mode. Besides matching the magnitude response of analog EQ’ing, Natural Phase also matches the analog phase response, without introducing noticeable pre-ring or a long latency. In addition, the software is now twice as CPU-efficient as its predecessor.

Universal filter slope support
Very steep filter slopes of up to 96 dB/octave are now available and the update  lets users change the slope of any filter type — not just the usual Low/High Cut filters. This makes it possible to create super-narrow bell filters, very steep or gently sloping shelves, and more. In addition to the existing Bell, Low/ High Shelf, Low/High Cut, and Notch filters, Pro-Q 2 also features new Band-Pass and Tilt Shelf filter types.

More interface innovations
Spectrum Grab enables users to directly adjust peaks in the real-time spectrum analyzer display. There’s flexible interface resizing, in addition to a Full Screen mode. EQ Match lets users match the spectrum of another track in just a few seconds.

Updated
The PQ2 is updated, but keeps all the original features, such as 24 EQ bands, multi-band selection, per-channel EQ’ing in L/R or M/S mode, real-time spectrum analyzer, intelligent solo mode, double-click text entry, stereo/mono plug-ins, GPU-powered graphics acceleration, interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switch, Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter transitions, an extensive help file with interactive help hints, sample-accurate automation, advanced optimization,  Pro Tools hardware surface support and more.

Features

• Natural Phase mode to perfectly match the magnitude response of analog EQ’ing while also closely matching the analog phase response, without noticeable pre-ring or a long latency
• Full Screen mode for super-precise adjustments
• Spectrum Grab — just grab and adjust a peak in the real-time spectrum analyzer right away!
• Universal slope support for all filter types — for example, enabling users to make ultra-narrow bell filters or very steep shelves. (Slopes up to 96 dB/oct are now supported, including 18, 30, 36, and 72 dB/oct.)
• Highly improved Linear Phase mode, offering a better magnitude response and smooth changes without zipper effects
• New EQ filter types — Tilt Shelf and Band-Pass, in addition to the existing Bell, High/Low Cut, High/Low Shelf, and Notch filter shapes
• Gain-Q interaction option: when enabled, Q and gain influence each other in a pleasant way that is often found in analog mixing consoles
• EQ match feature to automatically match the spectrum of another track via the side-chain input
• Auto Gain automatically adjusts the output gain to compensate for the audible gain loss or increase introduced by the active EQ bands
• Improved spectrum analyzer with adjustable range, tilt, freeze, and horizontal zooming
• Optional piano roll display
• Flexible interface resizing
• Full output level meter
• Phase Invert option
• Highly improved CPU optimization: Pro-Q 2 uses less memory and is more than twice as efficient as its predecessor!
• Improved analog magnitude matching in Zero Latency mode

Price & Availability

FabFilter Pro-Q 2 is now available for US$199, supporting both Windows and Mac OS X in VST and VST 3, Audio Units, AAX, RTAS and AudioSuite plug-in formats. Bundles with FabFilter Pro-Q 2 and other FabFilter plug-ins are also available at: www.fabfilter.com/shop

Excerpts from Press Release