EQ plug-ins are essential tools for "in the box" music producers. EQ's main application is to enable us to shape the tone and colour of tracks in a mix. This ultimately helps us sit multiple tracks together. Often EQ is used to correct frequency problems, in other cases, EQ can provide character and charm to the sound of an instrument, vocal, sub-mix or master.

This article lists several EQ plug-ins that we love to use when producing music. All of the EQ plug-ins in this list feature a variety of different hallmarks that are useful for a variety of different mixing applications.

Let us know what your favourite EQ plug-ins are in the comments below.

FabFilter Pro-Q3

FabFilter Pro-Q3 is a hugely popular EQ plug-in. Consider it as an audio production swiss army knife, it can do pretty much anything you want with EQ and more. What we like most about FabFilter Pro-Q3 is the GUI as it's super simple to use for creating and setting bands. The "display range" scales in four different ranges of dB - 3db, 6db, 12db and 30db. This is a handy feature as it can help users from being too heavy-handed with their boosts and cuts. However, if you do want to push a boost higher than let's say 6db the display range rescales automatically to the next level up, 12db. FabFilter Pro-Q3 is an EQ plug-in that can be set to work in several different modes such as zero latency, natural phase and linear phase. These three modes impact differently on CPU load, making this a great plug-in to work with on any strength of computer system. Pro-Q3 welcomed a suite of new features that we've demonstrated in our video review.

Type Of EQ? Surgical

Watch the Pro Tools Expert video review of FabFilter Pro-Q2.

SurferEQ 2 By Sound Radix

The SurferEQ 2 by Sound Radix has one key party piece. It's this exact feature where SurferEQ gets its name. SurferEQ automatically tracks the melody (pitch) of monophonic instruments enabling users to boost or cut the fundamental notes within full performances. SurferEQ also tracks the relative harmonic structure as well. Often bass guitars/instruments are hard to place in a mix. Static EQ's that cut or boost fixed bands can result in certain notes within the performance being dipped or exaggerated in level. SurferEQ makes sure this doesn't happen by keeping the melody, bass guitar in this case, strong and consistent making a bass instrument easy to place in any mix. This form of tracking EQ also works wonders on vocals.

Type of EQ? Healing

Watch the Pro Tools Expert video review of SurferEQ 2 By Sound Radix.

Maag EQ4

The Maag EQ4 is an EQ plug-in many of us on The Production Expert Team reach for when we need to shape the tone of an instrument musically. Vocals, acoustic guitars, piano, drums, you name it, Maag EQ4 sweetens it. It's effortless to learn how each of EQ4's fixed bands sound, which is an essential aspect of these types of EQ plug-ins. The AIR band is the special sauce of this plug-in, it doesn't sound harsh when pushed beyond what your instincts may tell you could be too much. Same goes for the 2.5 kHz band, that range typically sounds harsh when boosted but somehow in EQ4 it doesn't, it sounds natural and fitting. The Maag EQ4 plug-in is available natively, however, there are DSP versions for Pro Tools HDX from Plugin Alliance and UAD.

Type Of EQ? Creative

Watch the Pro Tools Expert video review of Maag EQ4.

PuigTech EQP1A By Waves

Based on the classic passive Pultech EQ, the PuigTech EQP1A by Waves is an EQ plug-in many opt to use when they want to reduce muddy low mid-tones from instruments. Like the Maag EQ4, this is also a straightforward plug-in to learn and quick to use. The only feature that may not be to everyone's taste is the emulated analog hiss, though at least we have the option to engage it or not.

Type Of EQ? Doormat - It keeps the mud outside

Watch this Pro Tools Expert free video tutorial to hear the PuigTech by Waves in action.

Neutron 3 Advanced Built-In Equalizer By iZotope

The EQ section in Neutron 3 Advanced by iZotope is a tool to reach for if you need some EQ inspiration away from using EQ presets. Sometimes our EQ instincts need a little nudge in a different direction, which is where the "Track Assistant" in Neutron 3 comes in as it acts as a very cool virtual assistant offering up an EQ curve it believes to be a good starting point. Most of the time it gets there without needing to be adjusted any further. The EQ mask feature is also very cool as it displays areas between two instrument EQs where problems can be occurring, making this a great time saver feature.

Type Of EQ? If Siri were an EQ...

Watch the Pro Tools Expert video review of Neutron by iZotope.

EQ Ear Training

The 5 EQ plug-ins in this list are all fantastic tools. However, they would all be utterly useless if we didn't know what to listen for when using them. The only way of improving one's EQ skills is by training one's ears.

Ear training is so essential as it develops our understanding of frequencies which in turn improves our mixing skills. Having a sharp ear for frequencies will help you use EQ correctly, tastefully and expertly.

A great training tool called TrainYourEars EQ Edition, helps users develop their listening skills by teaching them to hear different frequencies. It's an excellent tool for those new to mixing, even those who consider their ears to be "pitch perfect" enough to recognise frequencies across the spectrum.

Don't forget to let us know what your top EQ plug-ins are in the comments below.