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This is the EQ plugin from the Austrian based developers Sonible. Forming a part of the suite of plugins in their sound engineering range, Proximity EQ+ offers more than just an EQ.
This is a Sonible Proximity EQ+ review to take a look at the main features of the EQ plugin and we discuss how it differs from other plugins of a similar nature.
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Introduction to Sonible
Venturing into this review I assumed (wrongly) that this VST plugin is another EQ plugin similar to the other big names such as Fab Filter and Sonnox. However on lifting the lid of the Sonible Proximity EQ+ plugin the name starts to make sense.
Rather than a regular EQ plugin, Proximity EQ+ allows the producer (or mixing engineer) to reposition audio sources. But the clever part is, you can do this "after the horse has bolted" as the saying goes. This can be done in post production which is what makes this plugin so special. Their website goes into detail about the freedom offered in post production and gives examples of "virtually" moving microphones for example when the recording microphone got placed too far from the source. They tell us how proximity:EQ+ lets the engineer draw the voice significantly closer and give the muddy piano a crisper sound in postproduction.
Getting Started with the Sonible Proximity EQ+ review
Installation was straightforward to get this EQ plugin up and running. I found activation of the product key really quick and I was up and running in a matter of minutes.
As I elude to later on, there are no plugins to get me up and running so I had to make do with intuition and intelligence (well I try). I did a test on a drum loop to hear what options it gave me as a way to manipulate the mix of the drums. I was able to increase the low end of the loop and also add some mid to high on the hats. Something I regularly do with my mixes - but to be fair this was quite easy to work out how.
Notable Features
- Post production "virtual" instrument relocation
- Clean and simple interface
- No presets, so it loses a star
I found the USP during this Sonible Proximity EQ+ review to be the ability to enhance, move, change etc the acoustics of a mix. This is something I've not seen in the home music production world and I think it will be a positive thing. It will help a home studio mix get a better output because those little divots in a track which take it from perfect to not bad can be patched at a later time, post production.
Add on with some help of a compressor such as the MJUC and you've got a great mix buss underway.
Presets Available with EQ+
I was quite disappointed with the lack of presets when doing this Sonible EQ+ review. I usually enjoy using the preset options to give me a baseline to work from to help me discover the product ability. This time around however it was not to be.
Having said that, I wanted to find out if there was the ability to save my own Sonible EQ+ presets for anything I create as there was nothing that came bundled in with the package. On further investigation it seems I'm not the first to ask about bundled presets. Sonible said the following "We don't offer plug-in internal presets for entropy:EQ+ and proximity:EQ+. Most DAWs offer a preset functionality, you can use those to save your current plug-in settings."
The answer here probably lies with modulation and setting automation lanes within the DAW.
How does Proximity EQ+ sound?
I took a drum loop as a bit of a test to see how quickly I could beef up the low and and give it some extra in the mid/highs. Turns out this is quite easy so maybe not having presets is not a massive issue at all.
Differences can be subtle, but have a listen to the plugin enabled and disabled to hear the changes to the drum loop.
Alternative plugins available for EQ balance
The market is awash with EQ plugins but there are not many which perform these types of features. However I want to make reference to some software at this point in regards to home studio calibrations. There are a couple of platforms which will benefit the home engineer, these being Sonarworks and also the Embody Audio Technica Immerse Virtual Studio. These will help you get a good baseline to start with relating to EQ referencing. From here you can build on your mix and then any post production changes you will be able to review with Sonible Proximity EQ+.
Where can I use Proximity EQ+ in my mix?
The full mix range will work well with Sonible Proximity EQ+. The idea of the plugin is to allow an engineer to "move" things around in post production, making it easier to adjust your mix. For example, with the click of a mouse it can perform an increase in the natural room acoustic particles and appear to be making the individual voices harmonic using the orchestral space.
Are there presets available for Sonible Proximity EQ+ ?
Sonible advise that for their plugins entropy:EQ+ and proximity:EQ+ that they do not provide interna presets tfor those plugins. The advise is to use modulation within the DAW instead.
Review Summary
Exploring Sonible's Proximity EQ+ Plugin Features
Rather than a regular EQ plugin, Proximity EQ+ allows the producer (or mixing engineer) to reposition audio sources. But the clever part is, you can do this "after the horse has bolted" as the saying goes. This can be done in post production which is what makes this plugin so special.
Price: 83
Price Currency: GBP
Operating System: Windows 10, Mac OS
Application Category: VST Audio Plugin
4
Pros
- Clever plugin offering the ability to 'move' instruments and microphones post production.
- A nice user interface and small installation footprint.
Cons
- No ability to create or save presets.
- User manual could be more useful.
Where To Buy Proximity EQ+
The Sonible Proximity EQ+ plugin is available directly from Sonible or you can purchase from online retailers such as Plugin Boutique. Other retailers are available too.
Buy proximity:EQ+
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