EQ - Nectar 3 Help

May 2024 · 11 minute read

Overview

An equalizer can be used to enhance the tone and character of a vocal track by adjusting the level of specific frequencies. Nectar 3 includes two EQ modules with support for adding up to 24 highly customizable bands. Each band includes 16 different filter shapes and two program dependent processing modes: Dynamic Frequency mode for dynamically updating the frequency of a filter in response to harmonic frequency content changing over time, and Dynamic Gain mode for dynamically adjusting the gain of a filter in response to the input signal.

Interactions

Add Bands

Bands can be added to the EQ using the following methods:

Remove Bands

Bands can be removed from the EQ using the following methods:

Alt-Solo

The EQ module includes an Alt-Solo feature that allows frequency bands to be played back in isolation without affecting any EQ settings.

Alt-Solo can be enabled by holding the Alt/option key when clicking anywhere in the EQ spectrum to solo the frequencies surrounding the location of the click.

Alt-Solo Q

The Q (bandwidth) of the Alt-Solo filter can be adjusted in the Options window.

Controls

To access the band controls panel for a given band, click on the corresponding node in the EQ module panel.

The following controls are included in the band controls panel:

General Band Controls

The left side of the band controls panel includes parameters for enabling/disabling, soloing, and removing the currently selected band.

Enable

Enables or disables processing of the currently selected band.

Note

When a band is disabled, the filter will still be displayed in the EQ module panel. Disabled bands are displayed in grey to clearly differentiate them from enabled bands.

Solo

Enables temporary cutoff filters that allow frequencies within the bandwidth of the selected filter to be listened to in isolation.

Tip: Solo Band Shortcut

Hold the Alt and click on an EQ node to quickly engage the band Solo functionality.

Remove

Removes the currently selected band.

Frequency

Determines the center frequency (or cutoff frequency) (Hz) of the currently selected node. The EQ supports frequency values ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Tips: Adjusting EQ filter Frequency

The Frequency of an EQ band can be modified using the following methods:

Gain

Determines the amount of gain (dB) applied by the selected filter. The EQ supports gain adjustments ranging from -30 dB to +15 dB.

Tips: Adjusting EQ filter Gain

When available for adjustment, the Gain of an EQ band can be modified using the following methods:

EQ Gain Scale

The vertical dB magnitude scale on the right edge of the EQ module panel measures the EQ filter Gain.

Bandwidth

Determines the width or slope (dB/octave) of the selected filter. Bandwidth is labeled as either Q or Slope in the band controls panel, depending on the selected filter shape.

Tips: Adjusting EQ filter Q/Slope

The Q/Slope of an EQ band can be adjusted using the following methods:

Filter Types

The EQ module features 16 different filter shapes, each one belonging to one of the following filter type categories:

Pass Filter

Pass type filters are used to attenuate frequency content that is below (in the case of a high pass) or above (in the case of a low pass) a specified cutoff frequency. The degree of attenuation applied to content above or below the cutoff is determined by the slope of the filter. The EQ module includes four Pass type filter shapes in the Highpass and Lowpass sub-menus.

Peak Filter

Peak type filters are used to boost or cut the level of a specific center frequency. The amount of boost or cut applied to frequencies surrounding the center frequency is determined by the Q (or “Bandwidth”) of the filter. The EQ module includes four Peak type filter shapes in the Bell sub-menu.

Shelf Filter

Shelf type filters are used to boost or cut the frequency content above or below a specified frequency by the same amount. The EQ module includes Shelf type filter shapes in the Low Shelf and High Shelf sub-menus.

Filter Shape

Determines the filter shape of the currently selected band.

The filter shape dropdown menu organizes the filter shapes into the following sub-menus: Bell, Low Shelf, High Shelf, Lowpass, and Highpass.

Bell

The Bell sub-menu includes the following Peak type filters:

Low Shelf

The Low Shelf sub-menu includes the following Shelf type filters:

High Shelf

The High Shelf sub-menu includes the following Shelf type filters:

Highpass

The Highpass sub-menu includes the following Pass type filters:

Filter ShapeDescription
FlatButterworth filter; optimized for maximum flatness without ripple or resonance in the passband or stopband.
ResonantFilter equipped with a resonance control to emphasize the cutoff frequency with positive gain.

Lowpass

The Lowpass sub-menu includes the following Pass type filters:

Filter ShapeDescription
FlatButterworth filter; optimized for maximum flatness without ripple or resonance in the passband or stopband.
ResonantFilter equipped with a resonance control to emphasize the cutoff frequency with positive gain.

Dynamic Processing Modes

The dynamic processing modes can be accessed by selecting a node and clicking the arrow button on the right hand side of the band controls panel.

Note

If either of the dynamic processing modes are enabled for a given node, the arrow will appear orange when the dynamic controls pop out panel is closed.
Dynamic Arrow Highlighted

Dynamic gain or frequency processing can be enabled by clicking the Gain or Frequency buttons in the dynamic controls panel. Only one dynamic processing mode can be selected at a time for a selected band (i.e. Gain and Frequency mode cannot be enabled simultaneously for a selected band).

Gain Mode

Enables the ability to dynamically update the Gain of the selected EQ band when a signal exceeds the threshold level.

Clicking the “Gain” button in the EQ node controls panel will enable Dynamic Gain Mode for the selected node.

Note: Dynamic Gain Mode Availability

Dynamic Gain Mode is not available for Lowpass and Highpass filter shapes.

Boost or Cut Mode

When Gain mode is enabled, small triangle icons will appear directly above and below the associated EQ node. These icons indicate the expected direction of the dynamic gain change. Clicking on either triangle icon will determine the direction of gain change.

Threshold

Determines the signal level at which dynamic gain adjustments will be triggered for the selected EQ node.

Tip: Using Dynamic EQ to reduce sibilance

A dynamic EQ node can be used as an alternative to the De-esser module when attempting to reduce sibilant frequency content.

Frequency Mode

Enables the ability to dynamically update the Frequency of the selected EQ band to follow harmonics as they change.

Frequency mode works by identifying the fundamental frequency of the input signal when Frequency mode is enabled for an EQ band. It then identifies the harmonic frequency that is closest to the frequency of the selected EQ band. When the fundamental of the incoming vocal changes over time, the frequency of the EQ band will dynamically update to follow that harmonic as it changes with the fundamental. When Frequency mode is enabled and the frequency of the EQ band is manually adjusted, the EQ band will update to track the harmonic closest to the new frequency value.

Tips: When to use Dynamic Frequency Mode

Global Module Controls

The module chain features common controls for each module, including: Bypass, Solo, Remove, Reorder, and Wet/Dry Mix.

Global Controls Chapter

To learn more about the module chain and other global controls in Nectar, visit the Global Controls chapter.

Meters

The following meters and displays are included in the EQ: Spectrum Analyzer, Composite Curve, and the Filter Response Curve.

Spectrum Analyzer

Displays the magnitude (amplitude, in decibels) of the input signal across the frequency spectrum in real-time. Two spectrum analyzers are displayed in the EQ module to compare the effect of processing. The input signal to the EQ module is shown as a dark grey spectrum with no border. The processed output spectrum is drawn in the foreground with a white border.

EQ Spectrum Rulers

Composite Curve

The composite curve is the thick white line drawn across the EQ module panel. When EQ filters are added and modified they contribute to the overall shape of the composite curve. This curve represents the combined filter response of all enabled bands.

Filter Response Curve

The semi-transparent yellow fill color represents the filter response of a single band in isolation. This curve will be hidden by the white composite curve in cases where the selected filter shape is not affected by other enabled filters.

Nectar 3.7.0

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