Equalization.

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

Above all else, good eq is the fundamental thing that defines a good mix.

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.

(Read on below)

The scratches and fingerprints just won't come off from over-use!!!

 

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

*(4.7Mb demo eq plugin functions for 30 seconds, bypasses for 10 seconds)*

 

*Buy the 'ISON eq plugin' now for only 159 EURO*

Why do all eqs 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 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.

Scope DSP card and software (Scope 4 Project recommended for mixing)

Minimum 256MB system RAM (512MB Recommended)

PCI Video card with 16MB or more RAM (128MB AGP card recommended)

ISON mono	ISON

The load shown without mouse over is with nothing loaded in Scope (hardware and software)

The load shown when mouse over is the maximum load of the ISON on Scope DSP when every function is on.