Review: PSP’s MasterQ2 – Mastering EQ Plugin

The MasterQ2 from PSPaudioware.

By adding the word “mastering” to a product’s name, developers imply precise control, refined algorithms, limited coloration of the signal and, when it comes to software, a more significant processor load and delay time.

Although the mastering label also suggests that a plugin is intended for your mix-buss, or the mastering of a finished 2-track mix, many of these tools can also prove to be invaluable for working on harmonically-detailed individual tracks.

But another feature commonly attached to tools with the “mastering” distinction is an elevated price tag.

Not so for PSPaudioware, which has just released the new MasterQ2 equalizer plugin. Available for AAX, RTAS, AU, and VST at just $149 dollars, MasterQ2 has lot to offer at a very attractive price point.

The MasterQ2 is a feature-packed EQ with brilliant routing capabilities and a handful of additional signal processing and saturation features.

Sometimes, when brands add features that aren’t directly related to the product’s core purpose, it can lead to less than ideal results. But MasterQ2 does a great job with it’s primary function of EQing, and the additional features are worthwhile in their own right.

Some of these added features are very inventive. And while some of them might not be used all the time, they add a welcome layer of control and flexibility to the user’s experience.

Overview

First and foremost, the MasterQ2 acts as a five band parametric EQ, with additional low and high pass filters. The filters can be set to roll off 12, 24, or36 dB per octave.

The first and fifth band can be set to function as shelving or peak filters, and each of the bands has a wide frequency range. The lower bands sweep up to 12kHz, and the highest bands reach all the way down to 30Hz.

Each band has a +/- 24dB gain range, and there are selectable Q modes, as well as a useful soft-clipping mode that engages a low resonance filter to remove harsh over-processing when doing more extreme gain changes.

The secondary functions of the plugin include phase control, an analog saturation section, stereo width control, and an output limiter with various analog emulations.

Additionally, the plugin allows your to assign the EQ to either the stereo mix, just the left or right channel, or either component of of a mid/side configuration. There are also routing configurations to choose which signal is sent to the limiter/saturation sections.

Features and Use

EQ is the primary purpose of MasterQ2, and there, it does a beautiful job.

The controls is extremely flexible while still being very precise. With such a wide frequency range, Q settings that go from expansive to intensely focused, and simple interface controls, the MasterQ2 makes it easy to work on the sonic characteristics of any source material.

There is one function that stands out as perhaps the most unique and useful: Hold down the “Cmd” key (or “Control” on a PC) while mousing over one of the EQ’s bands, you will turn it into a bell filter, allowing you to hear only the frequencies within the selected band. While this bell curve is active, you can sweep the band across the spectrum, making it easy to find critical frequencies.

MasterQ2 has a few more interesting EQ features that add unique control. For instance, you can link the frequency control of all EQ bands to the first band, which lets you move your entire EQ together, maintaining the same relationship between bands. Think of this like a control VCA or grouped faders in a DAW.

Additionally, in linked mode, you can use your first band to determine a “fundamental” frequency, and then move all the bands above it in harmonic increments of your fundamental frequency. Aiding the user, MasterQ2 displays not only the frequency you’re selecting, but also the approximate pitch value of that frequency. For instance, at 200hz, it will tell you that you’re around G3, and at 440hz, you’re at A4.

Finally, the inclusion of master faders for both range and level allows you to globally attenuate all the filters, and increase or decrease the intensity of your entire EQ curve.

Saturation Options

Another notable feature is the ability to add harmonic distortion to only those frequencies being filtered by the EQ. This makes the the MasterQ2 into a frequency-dependent saturator—a very rare animal indeed.

If you move the “character” knob in one direction, you’re adding even harmonics to the filters resonant frequency. Move it the other way, and your adding odd harmonics.

I found this feature had to be used quite carefully, but it’s an interesting concept and it did have some useful results.

A welcome addition here would be the ability to apply this harmonic distortion only to specific bands, rather than all active bands. Including a bypass on each filter could have allowed the user to remove the distortion from individual bands.

The Tone

The sound of the EQ is very transparent, especially within the first 0-6dB of gain. The EQ is much more about sculpting your sound than it is about adding sonic coloring. On the boosting side, the EQ seems to get a bit harsher above that point when compared to some other similar style EQ’s, however, it’s rare one would need to use that much gain in a mastering-style plugin.

I found the plugin equally useful on complex sources like grand pianos and drum overheads as well as the master bus. The transparency of the MasterQ2 was very welcome when dialing in the tone on our vintage Steinway piano, giving plenty of control without changing the overall characteristics of the piano.

Routing

MasterQ2 has a tremendous amount of routing capabilities. The plugin in can operate in traditional stereo, left or right only, and even in mid/side.

When you select a left or right signal, the non-selected channel will go through unaffected by the EQ; however both channels will still go through the output saturation/limiting functions. You can use two instances of the plugin if you want to EQ the left and right channels uniquely.

Using the plugin in M/S mode was a bit more challenging, and it lacks some of the refined control a plugin in like Brainworx BX-Digital offers. However, BX is much more of a true M/S EQ, and feels designed as such. MasterQ2’s routing controls adds flexibility to what you’re treating. However, I found it most useful when kept in traditional stereo mode.

More Extras

PSP has added some welcome extra touches to MasterQ2. There’s a stereo width and balance control which allows you to add/remove some space in your stereo imaging. Like all plugins that do this, push it too far, and the center of the mix feels like it’s lost. Despite the simple two knob control, the effect felt precise and tasteful.

The most notable addition is the dynamic/limiting section of the output stage. You can select from a handful of dynamic modes including vintage limiting, soft limiting, dynamic soft, dynamic hard, soft saturation, and hard saturation. A “ceiling” control adjusts the gain reduction/saturation levels.

The algorithm used here comes PSP’s VintageWarmer plugin. Generally, this feature sounds good, but the lack of fine controls makes me question its value as an addition to this plugin.

VintageWarmer has a full array of controls, including speed, release, wet/dry, and even a knee. Butwithout these controls (and given the processing power of todays systems) I would speculate that most users would simply add a warmth/saturation/limiting plugin that’s fully dedicated to the task.

It’s an interesting feature to add into the product, but I’m not certain it was really one that needed to be there, especially in this limited form. I would have found the addition of a dynamic de-essing control a more useful additional feature for a mastering EQ.

Overall

PSP’s MasterQ2 is a great-sounding EQ. The interface is simple to use, and it allows you to quickly sculpt and shape sounds. Although powerful, some of the deeper features might not be useful to everyone. Still, there are unique controls on board that will benefit those that are looking for a higher level of precision and flexibility. Additions like harmonic distortion and saturation also help to give MasterQ2 it’s own place in your plugin arsenal. Priced at a very reasonable $149, there’s no reason not to give MasterQ2 a try.

(The MasterQ2 product page and free demo can be found here.)

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