SONAR LE Documentation is based on the full version of SONAR. Some screenshots, folder paths, features and other references may differ from your installation.

QuadCurve Equalizer module

The QuadCurve Equalizer module allows you to fine tune the frequency spectrum of your tracks.

The QuadCurve Equalizer module can be displayed in either full size or compact size. The compact module hides the Frequency, Q and Level controls for the Low, Low-Mid, Mid-High and High bands. You may want to show the compact size if ProChannel is too tall to show all its controls in the Inspector or Console view.

To show/hide compact mode in the Inspector. Click the Display button at the bottom of the Inspector, point to Module Options > ProChannel and choose Compact EQ Module.

To show/hide compact mode in the Console view. Click the Console view Options menu, point to ProChannel and choose Compact EQ Module.

To adjust knobs with finer resolution, hold down the SHIFT key while adjusting a knob.

To type parameter values, double-click the value edit box below a parameter.

Figure 319. QuadCurve Equalizer module.

A. Clipping LED B. QuadCurve Equalizer enable/disable C. Style (Hybrid, Pure, E-Type or G-Type) D. Graph E. Band enable/disable (Low, Low-Mid, Mid-High, High) F. Frequency G. Q H. Level I. High band filter type J. Low Pass filter frequency K. Low band filter type L. High Pass filter frequency M. High Pass filter enable/disable N. High Pass filter slope (Q) O. Gloss enable/disable P. Low Pass filter slope (Q) Q. Low Pass filter enable/disable

Figure 320. The equalizer has six bands.

A. Low band (red) B. Low-Mid band (yellow) C. Mid-High band (green) D. High band (blue) E. High Pass filter (black) F. Low Pass filter (black)

The QuadCurve Equalizer module contains the following controls:

Clipping LED. Shows if the input signal to the QuadCurve Equalizer module is clipping. If there is any distortion in the ProChannel signal chain, the clipping LEDs let you identify where the clipping occurs.

QuadCurve Equalizer enable/disable . Enables/disables the QuadCurve Equalizer module.

Style. Specifies the equalizer algorithm. Choose between transparent equalization (Pure) or equalization for character (Hybrid, E-Type and G-Type). Each style provides a different interaction between Q and Level settings. The styles are as follows:

Table 178. EQ types  

Style	Description	Recommended for	Curve
Hybrid	Provides an unsymmetrical curve that is very versatile. The curve is similar to E-Type when boosting frequencies, but has constant Q response in when cutting frequencies. Suitable for gentle fill EQ when boosting, while also accurately modifying troublesome resonance frequencies when cutting.	Resonance control for drums and percussion instruments Problem solving and surgical correction of frequencies.
Pure	Provides a clean transparent mastering style equalizer with a soft and gentle curve.	Overall EQ Buses Mastering Whenever you need to apply subtle changes over a wide spectrum.
E-Type	Provides a curve that mimics a vintage hardware equalizer. In this mode, the Q response is constant at all Level settings. This allows you to have a narrow Q at low gain settings, which is especially useful for drums. This mode is less suitable for overall EQ or subtle corrections, because you also need to adjust the Q setting to maintain its effect when adjusting the gain. This is a very clinical and flexible EQ because it has separate control over Q and Level.	Drums Precision and problem solving Whenever you need relatively high Q at low gain settings
G-Type	Provides a curve that mimics a modern hardware equalizer. In this mode, the Q response is dynamic, meaning the Q is reduced as you increase the Level, and the effective bandwidth is increased for low gain settings. This is a musical EQ with a gentle Q curve.	Overall EQ Subtle adjustments to instruments and vocals Broad and musical tonal balancing

Graph. Shows the equalization curve. Each band is identified by a unique color, and the sum of all bands is displayed as a white line. Adjust the equalizer by manipulating the graph. For details, see To interact with the QuadCurve Equalizer graph.

To adjust a band’s gain, drag up/down.

To adjust a band’s frequency, drag left/right.

To adjust a band’s Q, hold down the ALT key and drag up/down.

To adjust parameters with finer precision, hold down the SHIFT key while dragging.

To enable/disable a band, click the band’s region in the graph.

To change the plot resolution globally, right-click any small QuadCurve Equalizer graph in the Console view and choose the desired resolution on the pop-up menu. The resolutions are as follows:

■	Auto (graph scales dynamically)

■

6 dB

■

12 dB

■

18 dB

Band enable/disable. Enables/disables the Low , Low-Mid , Mid-High and High bands. Enabling a band allows it to be processed with equalization. The knobs and graph curves are color-coded per band:

Low = Red

Low-Mid = Yellow

Mid-High = Green

High = Blue

Frequency. Sets the center frequency for the selected band (Low, Low-Mid, Mid-High and High). The valid frequency range for each band is as follows:

Table 179. Default center frequency for each band  

Band	Frequency range	Default center frequency
Low	20.0 - 20000.0 Hz	79.6 Hz
Low-Mid	20.0 - 20000.0 Hz	317 Hz
Mid-High	20.0 - 20000.0 Hz	1261.9 Hz
High	20.0 - 20000.0 Hz	5023.8 Hz

Q. Sets the width of the selected band (Low, Low-Mid, Mid-High and High), which determines the amount of surrounding frequencies that will be affected when adjusting the band. A low Q value gives a high bandwidth for the filter band, resulting in a smooth shaping of the sound and little audible 'coloration'. Filtering will however be less accurate, since a wide frequency range around the center frequency will be affected. A high Q value reduces the bandwidth, improving filter accuracy but also creating sharp dips or peaks in the frequency spectrum. The width of the Q is expressed in terms of octaves. The valid range is 0.1 to 16.0 and the default value is 1.3.

Level. Boosts or attenuates the selected band (Low, Low-Mid, Mid-High and High).The valid range is -18.0 dB to +18.0 dB and the default value is 0 dB. The Level control interacts with the Q parameter, depending in the selected EQ type (Hybrid, Pure, E-Type or G-Type).

Low band filter type. Toggles the Low band between Bell and Low Shelf mode. In Bell mode, the Low band boosts or attenuates a range of frequencies around a central point in a bell shape. In Low Shelf mode, the Low band boosts or attenuates the set frequency and all frequencies below it.

High band filter type. Toggles the High band between Bell and High Shelf mode. In Bell mode, the High band boosts or attenuates a range of frequencies around a central point in a bell shape. In High Shelf mode, the High band boosts or attenuates the set frequency and all frequencies above it.

Low Pass filter enable/disable . Enables the Low Pass filter, which attenuates high frequencies above the Low Pass frequency while allowing other frequencies to pass unfiltered.

Slope (Low Pass). Specifies the ratio of how the Low Pass filter attenuates frequencies above the Low Pass frequency. Slope is expressed in decibels per octave. The range is from 6 dB to 48 dB in 6 dB increments.

LP. Specifies the cut-off frequency for the Low Pass filter.

High Pass filter enable/disable . Enables the High Pass filter, which attenuates low frequencies below the High Pass frequency while allowing other frequencies to pass unfiltered.

Slope (High Pass). Specifies the ratio of how the High Pass filter attenuates frequencies below the High Pass frequency. Slope is expressed in decibels per octave. The range is from 6 dB to 48 dB in 6 dB increments.

HP. Specifies the cut-off frequency for the High Pass filter.

Gloss . Adds a smooth breath and presence to the high end without any harshness using a unique gloss filter.

QuadCurve Equalizer fly-out panel (Producer only)

The QuadCurve Equalizer fly-out panel provides a larger interface for interacting with the EQ controls. The fly-out panel supports multi-touch and has an integrated FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) spectrum analyzer.

The QuadCurve Equalizer fly-out panel can be accessed from the ProChannel in the Inspector or Console view.

Figure 321. QuadCurve EQ fly-out panel.

A. Click to open fly-out panel B. Input meter C. EQ plot D. FFT spectrum analyzer E. Output meter F. Pin fly-out panel G. Close fly-out panel

The FFT spectrum analyzer displays the instantaneous level of all frequencies. The vertical axis represents amplitude (the dynamic range is 0 to -72 dB) and the horizontal axis represents frequency.

To open the fly-out panel

Do one of the following:

In the ProChannel, click the QuadCurve Equalizer module’s Zoom button .

Double-click any blank space in the small ProChannel EQ curve display.

Using a touch display, swipe the QuadCurve Equalizer module’s header bar.

Note: Only one fly-out panel can be shown at a time. If you open another fly-out panel, the previous fly-out panel closes automatically.

To close the fly-out panel

Do one of the following:

Click anywhere outside the fly-out panel, such as the Clips pane.

Click the X button in the top right corner of the fly-out panel.

Note: The following gestures do not close the fly-out panel: Clicking in the fly-out panel’s parent ProChannel module. Clicking in the parent track’s channel strip in the Track view or Console view. Clicking in the time ruler. Clicking in the Control Bar.

To keep the fly-out panel open

Click the pin button in the top right corner of the fly-out panel.

The fly-out panel will remain open until either of the following happens:

The track focus changes.

Other major UI changes occur, such as floating the Inspector, or any other change that causes the parent ProChannel module to be closed.

 

See also:

To interact with the QuadCurve Equalizer graph

QuadCurve Equalizer fly-out panel touch gestures

 

See:

ProChannel (Producer and Studio only)

Using ProChannel

ProChannel modules and controls

PC76 U-Type Channel Compressor module (Producer only)

PC4K S-Type Bus Compressor module (Producer only)

Tube Saturation module (Producer only)

Console Emulator module (Producer only)

FX Chain module

Tape Emulator module (Producer only)