

FabFilter Pro-Q3 Plugin Review
REVIEW November 29, 2018 Baby Brown 3

ThreeQualizer
The Fabfilter Pro-Q has been a low key, Apex Predator in the tightly packed pool of EQ plugins for some considerable time. It’s node-based bands are nothing new and to be honest I had always disliked the way it looked. However I am so glad that I finally arrived to the party, however late.
EQ can be such a personal thing that sometimes it’s tough to break out of your comfort zone and take a good look around. The Fabfilter has never been an affair for vintage copyists and lo-fi hipsters – it’s built for two things mainly and that’s workflow and surgery.
“Pro-Q has been a low key, Apex Predator in the tightly packed pool of EQ plugins for some considerable time.”
What's New Then?
Simply put, even though Fabfilter Pro-Q3 looks exactly the same as it’s predecessor (yes, Pro-Q2…) it is a highly charged realization and extrapolation of all the brilliant features present in that celebrated plugin.
Moving forward myself I have come to understand and appreciate the fundamental ergonomy and brilliance of the Fabfilter design and it has been my go-to EQ for some time. I even went as far as making it the default in Pro Tools.
“I have come to understand and appreciate the fundamental ergonomy and brilliance of the Fabfilter design.”
Above: New to Pro-Q3: Spectrum Grab
New features are abundant in Pro-Q3 from the independent stereo/mid side node placement to the SPECTRUM GRAB option (which shows you potentially resonating peaks on the analyzer and labels them with yellow tabs containing the frequency information, allowing you to adjust the offending bands). There is a new filter shape menu with a couple of new entries including a new high/low pass slope called BRICKWALL and a new INVERT GAIN feature which does exactly what you’d imagine. But wait – it gets way, way juicier!
“…a new INVERT GAIN feature does exactly what you’d imagine.”
There’s also a pretty radical TILT function which sounds very natural and an amazing function that allows you to litter Q3’s throughout your session and then compare and contrast their EQ curves in a
mini pop up menu that show them all at once. This is accomplished without side chaining. SHOW COLLISIONS allows you to see which of those frequencies are clashing but it gets much better…
“There’s also a pretty radical TILT function which sounds very natural.”
Pro-Q now features full Dolby Atmos support (up to 7.1.2) but for the time being it’s Pro Tools only. All of these things take Fabfilter’s flag ship plugin ever further toward the top of the pile. Perhaps though, the most compelling reason to look at this plugin is the ridiculously effective new DynamicEQ function. This essentially puts Fabfilter Pro-Q3 right back at the top of my must-have plugins list. I have traditionally used Pro-Q2 followed by the amazing Sonnox DynamicEQ but sometimes two plugins are just not time-practical in the heat of the moment.
Above: New Dynamic EQ Bands
“This essentially puts Fabfilter Pro-Q3 right back at the top of my must-have plugins list.”
FX Fest
“TIP: Rename the Q3’s as you instantiate them or things can get extremely confusing.”
Above: New Inverse Gain Function Works Perfcctly
“Inverse Gain is an excellent addition to the Q3 workflow armoury.”
Left: Flat Tilt and new Brickwall filter
Above: New Brickwall Filter Slope
“The dynamic EQ functionality was a very welcome surprise when Q3 was announced.”
CONCLUSION
“The Q3 retains it’s spot as the ultimate, workflow-centric EQ.”
Compatibility
Compatible on Mac OS 10.8 and above
VST 2, VST 3, AU and AAX Native
Compatible on Windows XP or Later
VST 2, VST 3 and AAX Native
32bit and 64bit
- Low CPU hit
- Simple DynamicEQ Implementation
- Fluid, modern Workflow
- EQ Matching Complicated in Ableton
- No Pro Options for DynamicEQ
- Isn't Session-Synonymous with Q2