Softube Summit Audio EQF-100 is a digital emulation of the renowned hardware equalizer, faithfully recreating its smooth and versatile sound in plugin form. This four-band parametric equalizer combines the warmth of tube technology with the precision of solid-state circuitry, offering a unique blend of analog character and modern functionality. The plugin features four fully parametric bands with fixed frequency selections, high and low cut filters, and the ability to switch between bell and shelf modes for the high and low bands. Softube has meticulously modeled every component of the original hardware, including its tube-driven output stage, to capture the rich, creamy sound that made the EQF-100 a studio favorite. The plugin’s interface mirrors the hardware’s aesthetic, complete with VU meters and Bakelite-style knobs, while also incorporating extended features for enhanced workflow in digital environments. With its ability to shape tone subtly or dramatically, the Softube Summit Audio EQF-100 is designed to breathe life into tracks across various genres and production styles.
Pros:
• Authentic emulation of the hardware’s smooth, musical sound
• Versatile four-band parametric EQ with additional high and low cut filters
• Tube-driven output stage adds warmth and subtle saturation when pushed
• Extended features provide modern workflow enhancements
• Console 1 compatibility for integrated mixing system use
Cons:
• Fixed frequency selections may limit precise targeting of specific frequencies
• Learning curve for users unfamiliar with passive EQ designs
Softube Summit Audio EQF-100 boasts a comprehensive set of features that make it a powerful tool for shaping sound. At its core are four fully parametric EQ bands, each offering seven fixed frequency selections. This design allows for quick, musical adjustments across the frequency spectrum. The low and high bands can be switched between bell and shelf modes, providing additional flexibility for broad tonal shaping.
Complementing the main EQ bands are high and low cut filters, each with three selectable frequencies. These filters are invaluable for cleaning up unwanted low-end rumble or taming harsh high frequencies. The plugin’s bandwidth control for each band allows users to affect a wider or narrower range of frequencies around the selected center point, enabling both surgical precision and broad strokes in sound sculpting. Modeled tube output stage adds a subtle but characterful saturation to the signal, especially when driven into the red. The resulting distortion is described as “woody” and “thick,” imparting a rich harmonic content that can add depth and warmth to digital recordings.
Visually, the plugin faithfully recreates the hardware’s interface, complete with vintage-style VU meters. These meters not only add to the authentic look but also serve a practical purpose, allowing users to monitor input and output levels and drive the virtual circuitry for desired saturation effects.
Softube has enhanced the original design with extended features, including an output volume control for easy level matching and A/B comparisons. This addition allows users to compensate for gain changes introduced by EQ adjustments, ensuring accurate evaluation of the processing.
The EQF-100 plugin is designed to operate in both mono and stereo modes, with linked but individually processed channels in stereo operation. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of mixing and mastering tasks. For users of Softube’s Console 1 mixing system, the EQF-100 is fully compatible, integrating seamlessly into this hardware-controlled software environment. This integration allows for a more tactile, analog-like workflow within a digital audio workstation.
When compared to other equalizer plugins, the Softube Summit Audio EQF-100 stands out for its faithful recreation of a specific piece of hardware. While many digital EQs aim for surgical precision with infinite frequency selection, the EQF-100 embraces the fixed-frequency design of its hardware counterpart, encouraging a more musical approach to equalization. This can be contrasted with plugins like the FabFilter Pro-Q 3, which offers extreme flexibility but may lack the specific coloration of the EQF-100.
The EQF-100’s tube emulation sets it apart from purely digital EQs, placing it in the company of other analog-modeled plugins. However, its passive EQ design and tube output stage give it a unique character compared to active EQ emulations like the Waves PuigTec EQs or Universal Audio’s Pultec collection. The EQF-100’s ability to add subtle saturation when pushed hard offers a gentler alternative to dedicated saturation plugins, making it a versatile tool for adding warmth without reaching for additional processors. In terms of workflow, the EQF-100’s balance of vintage interface and modern features positions it between purely skeuomorphic designs and entirely digital interfaces. This makes it accessible to both analog purists and digital natives, offering a bridge between classic hardware operation and contemporary plugin convenience.
This plugin is best for:
• Engineers seeking to add analog warmth and character to digital recordings
• Producers working on genres that benefit from smooth, musical EQ moves
• Mixing professionals looking for a versatile, four-band EQ with a unique sonic signature
• Users of Softube’s Console 1 system wanting to expand their analog-modeled toolkit
• Anyone wanting to recreate the sound of the original Summit Audio EQF-100 hardware in a digital environment
Summit Audio EQF-100 plugin is a remarkable achievement in analog hardware emulation, offering users the coveted sound of a classic equalizer in a convenient digital format. Its faithful recreation of the original unit’s smooth, musical character makes it an invaluable tool for adding warmth and depth to digital productions. The plugin’s four-band parametric design, coupled with high and low cut filters, provides ample flexibility for both subtle tone shaping and more dramatic sound sculpting. The modeled tube output stage is a standout feature, allowing users to impart gentle saturation that can breathe life into sterile digital tracks. While the fixed frequency selections might initially seem limiting, they encourage a more intuitive, ear-driven approach to equalization that many engineers find refreshing in the age of infinite options. The addition of extended features like output volume control demonstrates Softube’s commitment to enhancing the original design for modern workflows. Whether used for tracking, mixing, or mastering, the EQF-100 plugin offers a unique blend of vintage warmth and digital convenience that can elevate the sound of any production. Its integration with the Console 1 system further extends its appeal, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of audio professionals. Despite a potential learning curve for those unfamiliar with passive EQ designs, the Softube Summit Audio EQF-100 stands as a powerful and characterful equalizer that can become a go-to tool in any digital audio workstation.