Left knob
Low
Turns the bottom end up or down: the weight of a bass, the warmth in a voice, the thump of a kick. A dB or two changes a lot. Push it too far and parts start to boom and crowd each other.
Start at0 dB
Coming soon
Spark EQ
Three EQ bands and a low-cut filter for vocals and instruments. Adjust low, mid and high frequencies, then match the level with the Output control.
Release date to be announced
In development. This is a preview; features and release details may change.
- Windows 10 and 11
- 64-bit
- VST3
- Low, Mid and High bands
- Low cut for rumble
- Mid band at 800 Hz, with a Q menu
- Output to match levels
- Windows 10 and 11, VST3
What it’s for
Example settings for reducing rumble, cutting mids and adjusting high frequencies.
A cleaner vocal low end
Try Low cut at 80 Hz to reduce low-frequency rumble. Check that the voice retains enough bass and adjust the cutoff to suit the recording.
Starting point
- Low cut
- 80 Hz
- Low
- 0 to −2 dB
- Mid
- 0 dB
- Output
- 0 dB
A less boxy acoustic
For an acoustic guitar with too much midrange, try a 2 to 3 dB Mid cut with Mid Q on Medium. Compare the result in the full mix before making further cuts.
Starting point
- Mid
- −3 dB
- Mid Q
- Medium
- Low
- −1 dB
- Low cut
- 80 Hz
High-frequency boost
Raise High slightly to brighten a vocal or instrument. Reduce the boost if sibilance becomes harsh, then lower Output to compare at the same volume.
Starting point
- High
- +2 to +3 dB
- Mid
- 0 dB
- Low
- 0 dB
- Output
- Match the level
The controls
Planned controls and suggested starting settings for a vocal.
Centre knob
Mid
Turns the band around 800 Hz up or down, where a voice turns honky or nasal and an acoustic starts to sound boxy. A small cut is usually all it takes. Mid Q, the menu below, sets how wide that band is.
Start at−1.5 dB
Right knob
High
Raises or lowers high frequencies. Boost it for more brightness or reduce it to soften harshness and hiss.
Start at+2 dB
Left menu
Low cut
Takes away everything below the frequency you pick, where Low only turns it down. It clears rumble, handling noise and close-mic boom: sounds you rarely notice on their own, but that cloud a mix.
Start at80 Hz
Middle menu
Mid Q
How wide a slice of the sound the Mid knob works on. Narrower settings reach one ringing note or a single harsh spot. Wider ones make broad, gentle changes that sound less like EQ.
Start atMedium
Right menu
Output
The level leaving the plugin, with the tone left alone. A boost makes things louder, and louder tends to sound better for a moment, so bring Output down to match, then bypass the plugin for a moment to hear what the EQ really did.
Start at0 dB
EQ tips
Make small adjustments and compare them in the full mix.
- Cut before you boost
- When a part sounds muddy or crowded, try taking a little Low or Mid away before you turn High up. Clearing space often does more than piling on top.
- Start small
- Two or three dB is already a clear change. If you find yourself at the end of a knob, the fix may be a different mic position or a part that’s fighting another one, not more EQ.
- Finish in the mix
- A guitar that sounds great on solo can disappear behind the vocal. Make the rough moves on solo if you like, and the final ones with the whole song playing.
Specs
Planned specifications. This plugin is in development, and the details may change before release.
Go to support- Format
- VST3, 64-bit
- System
- Windows 10 and 11, 64-bitNo macOS version yet.
- Controls
- Low, Mid and High, with Low cut, Mid Q and Output menusThe Mid band sits at 800 Hz.
- Availability
- Coming soonNot available for purchase or download.
More from Spark
AutoPitch is available now. Compressor, Delay and Reverb are in development.
Spark EQ.
Coming soon.
In development. AutoPitch is available now with a 30-day free trial.