FabFilter Pro-Q 3 vs Three Body Technology Kirchhoff EQ: A Comprehensive Comparison

In the world of digital audio workstations (DAWs) and music production, equalizers (EQs) play a crucial role in shaping sound and achieving professional-quality mixes. Two standout EQ plugins that have garnered significant attention in recent years are FabFilter Pro-Q 3 and Three Body Technology’s Kirchhoff EQ. Both offer powerful features and exceptional sound quality, but each has its own unique strengths and approaches to equalization. This comprehensive comparison will delve deep into the capabilities, user interfaces, and performance of these two industry-leading EQ plugins.

Overview and Background

FabFilter Pro-Q 3, released in 2018, is the third iteration of FabFilter’s flagship EQ plugin. Known for its clean, transparent sound and intuitive interface, Pro-Q 3 has become a go-to choice for many professional mix engineers and producers. It builds upon the success of its predecessors, adding new features like dynamic EQ functionality and improved workflow enhancements.

Three Body Technology’s Kirchhoff EQ, a more recent entrant to the market, has quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach to digital EQ design. Released in 2022, Kirchhoff EQ boasts a unique algorithm called “Robust Nyquist-matched Transform” that aims to provide more analog-like behavior in the digital domain. It also offers an extensive set of features, including vintage EQ emulations and advanced dynamic processing capabilities.

User Interface and Workflow

FabFilter Pro-Q 3

Pro-Q 3’s user interface is widely praised for its clarity and ease of use. The main display features a large, resizable spectrum analyzer and EQ curve editor. Users can simply double-click anywhere on the spectrum to add a new EQ band, then drag to adjust frequency and gain. The Q factor can be adjusted using the mouse wheel or by holding a modifier key while dragging.

The plugin offers a clean, uncluttered look with contextual controls that appear only when needed. Each EQ band is color-coded for easy identification, and hovering over a band reveals detailed parameter information. The interface also includes a piano roll display, allowing users to align EQ bands with musical notes.

Pro-Q 3’s workflow is designed to be fast and intuitive. Features like spectrum grab (which allows users to “grab” and boost/cut directly from the spectrum analyzer) and EQ match (which can automatically create an EQ curve to match the spectrum of another track) further streamline the equalization process.

Kirchhoff EQ

Kirchhoff EQ’s interface, while sharing some similarities with Pro-Q 3, offers a distinct visual style and workflow. The main display is dominated by a large spectrum analyzer and EQ curve editor, but Kirchhoff EQ includes additional panels for its more advanced features.

One notable aspect of Kirchhoff EQ’s interface is its high degree of customizability. Users can adjust various aspects of the GUI, including knob behavior, color schemes, and even the layout of certain elements. This level of personalization allows users to tailor the interface to their specific preferences and workflow needs.

Adding and adjusting EQ bands in Kirchhoff EQ is similar to Pro-Q 3, with click-and-drag functionality. However, Kirchhoff EQ offers more on-screen controls for each band, including dedicated knobs for frequency, gain, and Q factor. This can make precise adjustments easier but may feel more cluttered to some users.

Kirchhoff EQ also includes a unique feature called “Detection Sidechain,” which allows for complex routing and processing options directly within the EQ interface. While powerful, this feature adds an additional layer of complexity to the UI that may take some time to master.

Sound Quality and Processing

FabFilter Pro-Q 3

Pro-Q 3 is renowned for its clean, transparent sound. It uses high-quality algorithms that minimize phase distortion and maintain the integrity of the original audio. The plugin offers three processing modes:

1. Zero Latency: Ideal for live monitoring or when minimal latency is crucial.
2. Natural Phase: Provides a more analog-like response with minimal latency.
3. Linear Phase: Ensures no phase distortion, but introduces some latency.

Pro-Q 3’s EQ curves are smooth and musical, even with extreme settings. The plugin can handle both subtle tonal adjustments and more dramatic sound shaping with equal finesse. Its high-resolution processing (up to 96-bit internal) ensures excellent sound quality even when making multiple adjustments.

Kirchhoff EQ

Kirchhoff EQ takes a different approach to digital EQ processing. Its “Robust Nyquist-matched Transform” algorithm aims to more closely mimic the behavior of analog EQ circuits, particularly in the high-frequency range where many digital EQs can sound harsh or “brittle.”

The plugin offers processing modes similar to Pro-Q 3, including zero-latency and linear phase options. However, Kirchhoff EQ goes a step further by offering a unique “117-bit” processing mode, which claims to provide even higher resolution than typical 64-bit floating-point processing.

Kirchhoff EQ’s sound is often described as having more “character” than typical digital EQs, with a slight coloration that many users find pleasing. Its vintage EQ models add another dimension to its sonic palette, allowing users to impart the flavor of classic hardware EQs within the plugin.

Features and Capabilities

FabFilter Pro-Q 3

Pro-Q 3 offers a comprehensive set of features that cater to a wide range of equalization needs:

– Up to 24 EQ bands per instance
– 9 filter types, including bell, low/high shelf, low/high cut, notch, and tilt shelf
– Dynamic EQ functionality on any band
– Mid/Side processing
– Left/Right, Mono, and multi-channel surround sound support
– Spectrum analyzer with pre-EQ, post-EQ, and side-chain input options
– EQ match feature for matching the frequency response of another track
– Spectrum grab for intuitive frequency boosting/cutting
– Piano roll display for musical note alignment
– A/B comparison and undo/redo functionality

Kirchhoff EQ

Kirchhoff EQ matches many of Pro-Q 3’s features while adding several unique capabilities:

– Up to 32 EQ bands per instance
– 15 filter types with continuously variable shape
– 32 vintage EQ models based on classic hardware
– Advanced dynamic EQ with separate upward and downward compression/expansion
– Mid/Side and Left/Right processing
– Detection Sidechain feature for complex routing and processing
– Spectrum analyzer with various display options and overlays
– Multiple interface themes and extensive GUI customization options
– A/B comparison and undo/redo functionality

Dynamic EQ Capabilities

FabFilter Pro-Q 3

Pro-Q 3 introduced dynamic EQ functionality, allowing any EQ band to respond dynamically to the input signal. Users can set a threshold and range for each dynamic band, with the option for either upward or downward processing. The attack and release times are automatically set based on the frequency of the band but can be manually adjusted if needed.

Pro-Q 3’s dynamic EQ is praised for its ease of use and transparent sound. It’s particularly effective for tasks like de-essing, controlling resonances, or adding subtle dynamic enhancement to a mix.

Kirchhoff EQ

Kirchhoff EQ takes dynamic processing a step further with its more complex implementation. Each band can have both upward and downward processing simultaneously, with independent control over ratio, range, attack, and release for each direction. This allows for more intricate dynamic shaping of the frequency spectrum.

Additionally, Kirchhoff EQ’s Detection Sidechain feature enables users to trigger dynamic processing based on the frequency content of a different track or a filtered version of the current track. This opens up possibilities for advanced techniques like frequency-dependent ducking or dynamic EQ that responds to specific instruments in a mix.

CPU Usage and Performance

FabFilter Pro-Q 3

Pro-Q 3 is known for its efficient CPU usage, even when running multiple instances in a project. Its zero-latency mode is particularly light on resources, making it suitable for use on individual tracks in large mixes. The linear phase mode does increase CPU usage and introduces latency, but it remains manageable on most modern systems.

Kirchhoff EQ

Kirchhoff EQ, with its more complex processing algorithms, tends to be more CPU-intensive than Pro-Q 3, especially when using its 117-bit processing mode or multiple instances of vintage EQ models. However, its zero-latency mode is still relatively efficient, and the plugin offers various quality settings to balance sound quality with CPU usage.

Pricing and Licensing

FabFilter Pro-Q 3

FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is available as a standalone purchase or as part of various FabFilter bundles. Its pricing is on the higher end of the plugin market, reflecting its professional-grade features and reputation. FabFilter offers a 30-day trial period and educational discounts for eligible users.

Kirchhoff EQ

Kirchhoff EQ is similarly priced in the premium plugin range. Three Body Technology offers a trial version and occasional promotional discounts. The plugin is also available through Plugin Alliance, which offers its own subscription and pricing models.

Conclusion

Both FabFilter Pro-Q 3 and Three Body Technology’s Kirchhoff EQ represent the cutting edge of digital EQ design, offering powerful features and exceptional sound quality. Pro-Q 3 excels in its intuitive interface, transparent sound, and efficient performance, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize a streamlined workflow and clean, precise equalization.

Kirchhoff EQ, on the other hand, offers a more extensive feature set, including vintage EQ emulations and more advanced dynamic processing capabilities. Its unique algorithm aims to provide a more analog-like sound, which may appeal to users looking for more “character” in their digital EQ. However, this comes at the cost of higher CPU usage and a steeper learning curve.

Ultimately, the choice between these two exceptional EQ plugins will depend on individual needs, workflow preferences, and the specific requirements of each project. Both are capable of delivering professional-quality results and have earned their place in the toolkits of many top audio engineers and producers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use FabFilter Pro-Q 3 and Kirchhoff EQ together in the same project?

Yes, you can use both plugins in the same project. In fact, many engineers use multiple EQ plugins on different tracks or for different purposes. Pro-Q 3 might be used for clean, precise adjustments, while Kirchhoff EQ could be employed for its vintage emulations or more characterful processing.

Are these plugins suitable for mastering as well as mixing?

Both FabFilter Pro-Q 3 and Kirchhoff EQ are widely used in mastering applications. Their high-resolution processing, linear phase options, and precise control make them well-suited for the subtle adjustments often required in mastering. However, the choice between them for mastering may come down to personal preference and the specific needs of each project.

Do I need to use all the advanced features to get good results with these plugins?

Not at all. Both Pro-Q 3 and Kirchhoff EQ are designed to be accessible to users of all skill levels. You can achieve excellent results using just the basic EQ functions, and then explore the more advanced features as you become more comfortable with the plugins. The extensive feature sets are there to provide additional options and flexibility when needed, but they’re not necessary for everyday use.