PSP Audioware PSP MasterQ2 is a high-end mastering equalizer plugin designed for professional audio engineers and producers. This versatile tool goes beyond traditional EQ functionality, offering a comprehensive suite of features for mixing, mastering, and sound design. The plugin operates at sampling rates from 44.1kHz up to an impressive 768kHz, providing exceptional audio quality across various production environments. PSP MasterQ2 boasts seven different filter types, including low cut and high cut filters with multiple slope options, as well as low shelf, high shelf, and peaking filters with adjustable frequency and Q parameters. The intuitive interface displays an overview of the EQ curve and individual filter characteristics, allowing for precise and visual sound shaping. Additionally, the plugin incorporates limiting and soft-clipping algorithms to prevent digital clipping and further sculpt the audio signal.
Pros:
• Exceptional audio quality with 80-bit extended floating point computations
• Versatile filter options for precise sound shaping
• Proprietary Frequency Authentication Technique (FAT) for accurate high-frequency processing
Cons:
• Relatively high latency (approximately 1100 samples) may not be ideal for tracking
The PSP MasterQ2 offers an impressive array of features that cater to the needs of professional audio engineers and producers. At its core, the plugin provides seven distinct filter types, each designed to address specific frequency ranges and sound shaping requirements. The low cut and high cut filters come in three variants: 12 dB/oct, 24 dB/oct, and 36 dB/oct, allowing users to tailor the slope of their high-pass and low-pass filtering with precision. The low shelf and high shelf filters can be switched to peaking filters, providing additional flexibility in shaping the low and high-end of the frequency spectrum. For more targeted adjustments, the plugin offers low-mid, middle, and high-mid peaking filters, all of which feature adjustable frequency and Q parameters over a wide range.
PSP MasterQ2 is its use of 80-bit extended floating point computations in all filters. This high level of precision helps to mitigate accumulation errors and ensures optimal filter operation, even at extremely low frequencies with high gain and Q factor settings. This attention to detail in the plugin’s underlying architecture contributes to its reputation for exceptional sound quality and accuracy.
The plugin’s proprietary Frequency Authentication Technique (FAT) algorithm is another notable feature that sets it apart from many other EQ plugins. FAT employs a double sampling technique that allows for proper filter operation at the highest frequencies. By utilizing high-order linear filters, this mode prevents phase errors and linear errors from affecting the audio bandwidth during the double-order sampling process. The result is a double sampling method that avoids the artifacts typically associated with sample rate conversion, ensuring clean and accurate processing across the entire frequency spectrum.
Visually, the PSP MasterQ2 provides users with a clear and informative EQ graph that displays both the overall EQ curve and the individual characteristics of each active filter. This graphical representation allows for intuitive adjustments and helps users visualize the impact of their EQ decisions on the frequency content of their audio material. Beyond its powerful equalization capabilities, the PSP MasterQ2 incorporates additional sound shaping tools. The plugin offers a selection of limiting and “soft-clipping” algorithms that help users control signal levels and prevent digital clipping. These features add an extra layer of flexibility to the plugin, allowing it to serve as both a precise surgical EQ and a more creative sound design tool.
The PSP MasterQ2 operates across a wide range of sampling rates, from standard 44.1kHz up to an impressive 768kHz. This broad compatibility ensures that the plugin can deliver high-quality results in various production environments, from standard-resolution projects to high-resolution audio work.
When comparing the PSP MasterQ2 to similar plugins in the market, it stands out for its combination of precision, flexibility, and sound quality. While many mastering-grade EQs focus solely on transparent, surgical equalization, the MasterQ2 offers a broader range of creative possibilities without sacrificing accuracy. Its ability to function as both a precise mastering tool and a more colorful mixing and sound design processor sets it apart from more specialized competitors. The plugin’s use of 80-bit floating point computations and the FAT algorithm for high-frequency processing puts it in a class with other high-end digital EQs. However, the inclusion of limiting and soft-clipping features gives it an edge in terms of versatility. When compared to popular mastering EQs like the FabFilter Pro-Q 3 or the Waves Linear Phase EQ, the PSP MasterQ2 holds its own in terms of sound quality and precision while offering additional creative options. The relatively high latency of the PSP MasterQ2 (around 1100 samples or 26ms at 44.1kHz) may make it less suitable for real-time tracking compared to some lower-latency alternatives. However, this trade-off is often acceptable in mixing and mastering contexts where the focus is on sound quality rather than minimal latency.
This plugin is best for:
• Professional mastering engineers seeking a high-precision EQ
• Mix engineers looking for a versatile, high-quality equalizer
• Sound designers requiring creative EQ and saturation options
• Producers working with high-resolution audio projects
PSP MasterQ2 is a powerful and versatile equalizer plugin that offers exceptional sound quality and a wide range of features for professional audio production. Its combination of precise equalization, creative sound shaping tools, and advanced processing algorithms makes it a valuable asset for mastering, mixing, and sound design applications. The plugin’s ability to operate at extremely high sample rates and its use of extended floating-point computations ensure pristine audio quality, even when making extreme adjustments. While its higher latency may limit its use in real-time tracking scenarios, the PSP MasterQ2 excels in post-production environments where sound quality takes precedence. The inclusion of limiting and soft-clipping options extends its functionality beyond that of a typical EQ, allowing users to shape their sound in more creative ways. For audio professionals seeking a top-tier equalizer that can handle both surgical precision and creative sound manipulation, the PSP MasterQ2 represents a compelling option in the crowded field of digital audio plugins.