MORPH EQ vs SHADE vs SPCTRLEQ
When it comes to equalizers, I’m a big advocate for either sticking with your stock eq, or finding one specific mixing EQ to always work with. This is because equalization is such a focal aspect of the mixing process, you want to have predictable and reliable results. You should be developing a memory with one specific eq for the majority of your mixing needs. I typically suggest stock EQ as well because, depending on your DAW ofcourse, there are often visual and workflow advantages that outweigh the advantages of anything but the best EQs. I haven’t used FabFIlter or Kirchov yet, and I hear high praise about those two, I’m in no way suggesting not to use either of those as your primary, just to stick with one. With that out of the way, I need to also say, I’m no EQ expert, I’m not familiar with every pre-ring or phase nuance, what slopes mimic which hardware. This is all to say, you don’t need more than one EQ for mixing, but that’s not what this shootout is about, these are “creative” EQs, these are not for mixing, these are more akin to filters or effects, rather than adjusting your mix’s tonal balance. Not to say you can’t use them this way, just preempting this all by saying “this isn’t a shootout of EQ quality or mixing potential”.
ACROSS ALL THREE
These three EQs focus on morphing and moving the spectrum in various ways, they all have some way to control multiple frequency volumes at once, they are designed more like modulation or filtering effects with that ability to “EQ” being a bonus. I’ll be focusing on comparing their more creative uses, why you might want to play with one over the other, and how I personally use them. There didn’t appear to be any limit to the amount of EQ nodes you could apply to any one of these. Of all my shootouts, this one is probably the loosest, as there is only so much overlap between the trio. Think of this less as a competition between them and more as a creative way to highlight why each one is special
MORPH EQ
Unique Features: The path drawing system in Morph EQ is not only fast but intuitive, being able to hold command and just click out a path is so incredibly fast for creating unique motion. Morph EQ also Allows you to run the filters in parallel. I’d say because Every preset is built around the morph control, the presets are actually a feature.
Unique Limitations: Morph EQ has no internal modulation, everything is done via the “morph” knob, this means you need external automation or modulation to get things moving
Personal Usage: I’ve used Morph EQ when I needed to see the spectrum while creating motion, it’s so easy to follow along and adjust multiple dimensions at once.
FULL REVIEW: https://www.databroth.com/blog/morph-eq-review
SHADE
Unique Features: Shade offers quite a few more filter shapes, the combs and phasers alone would make this one such a cool resonator device.
Unique Limitations: There is not default way to warp all nodes at once, you can highlight them and shift them, but there’s no way to squeeze them together, which is a playful and useful mechanic found int he others. There’s no sample hold modulator unfortunately, only a smooth(ish) random that’s closer to a jitter.
Personal Usage: I tend to use Shade for the combs and phasers, it’s such a good spectral/modal resonator
FULL REVIEW: https://www.databroth.com/blog/shade-review
SPCTRLEQ
Unique Features: Being spectral, the sound of this EQ is quite different and also allows the potential for spectral glitching effects. There’s also some very unique curve drawing tools for creating interesting patterns
Unique Limitations: Doesn’t really have bell or shelf curves the way a normal eq would, it’s more of a vector based drawing system instead of adding in individual nodes.
Personal Usage: More extreme phasing and filtering sounds, when I want that additive synthetic sound. Also great for tables as there is no added phase motion.
FULL REVIEW: https://www.databroth.com/blog/spctrl-eq-review
One of my shorter shootouts, there’s not really a whole lot to “measure” between these three as there is in other shootouts. Morph EQ definitely allows for the fastest system to apply lots of motion, but all motions are locked in with the same control. Shade has the widest variety of curves and makes for some great resonator/modulation patches, and SPCTRLEQ is ofcourse spectral, lending to a unique sound otherwise unavailable. The main thread linking these three is almost “EQ with modulation” but Morph EQ technically throws a wrench in that proposition. As for more technical details, I couldn’t find any limit to the node count on any of them. They’re all just kinda fun filter based effects that happen to be marketed as equalizers. Hopefully this insight either helps you make a decision or has enlightened you on some new creative tools
if this article helped convince you to purchase any of these plugins, please consider using one of my affiliate links below. (after you have searched to make sure you can’t get a better deal elsewhere)
MORPH EQ: https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/16-EQ/9496-Morph-EQ?a_aid=61c378ab215d5