SONORIS 1.2 Parallel Equalizer Software User Manual
- June 16, 2024
- SONORIS
Table of Contents
SONORIS 1.2 Parallel Equalizer Software
Specifications
- Resolution: 64 bit
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac
- Supported Plugin Formats: VST, VST3, AAX
Introduction
© 2023 Pieter Stenekes for Sonoris Audio Engineering
[email protected]
Thank you for choosing Sonoris Parallel Equalizer!
What is it?
The Sonoris Parallel Equalizer (SPEQ) is a minimum phase parametric equalizer
in VST, VST3, AU and AAX format for Windows and Mac. The plugin is suitable
for mixing and especially mastering. It has fixed filter types on each band
and bands 2 to 6 are connected in parallel. This may be familiar to you, some
analog eQs have the same topology. The filters are built in a
feedback/feedforward manner to provide cutting and boosting. Bands 3 to 5 are
constant-Q bells and 2 and 6 are shelves. Bands 1 and 7 are low/high cuts and
connected in series with the rest.
The main feature is that this EQ is a lot more subtle and is needs more work
to set up right because there is some interaction between the bands. In normal
series connected eq’s the gains of two bands just add up but in a parallel eq
it doesn’t. The filters are parallel to each other as well as the unprocessed
signal and this means that if you have for example a low shelve boost and
switch on a low-frequency bell boost too, it just doesn’t do much more. You
can’t easily overdo things, but have to work harder to get it right. Also, the
signal path is cleaner because the filters al work on the same input. The
filters have correct gain up to Nyquist. The plugin has a large graphical
display that shows exactly what you get. The size of the plugin can be changed
to your liking by dragging the lower right-hand corner.
About the plugin
Much effort has been put into maintaining the sound quality. All calculations
are performed with 64-bit resolution internally.
Basic Operation
All controls can be controlled with the mouse by dragging or clicking. To
increase the resolution press the shift key while dragging. The sliders have a
snap function that allows for a quick reset to the default value. An added
feature is the possibility to adjust the knobs with the mousewheel. Clicking
on a value field enables the direct entry of a value.
Activation
Details on how to activate the plugin can be found here:
https://www.sonorissoftware.com/activation/
About this help file
This helps explain all the settings and options to get started. Basic
knowledge of parametric equalizers is needed.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Mac and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. VST/VST3 is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. AAX is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc.
Features
- 7 band parametric minimum phase equalizer with parallel connected bands
- Feedforward/feedback topology
- Lowpass and highpass filters up to 24 dB/octave
- Constant Q bells, shelving, low and high cut filters
- Stereo, L, R or MS processing
- No pre-warping effects, that is, correct response up to Nyquist
- Soft Engage technology to prevent switching noise
- A/B comparison
- Large graphical display
- Spectrum analyzer
- Three zoom levels
- High-resolution level meter
- Full automation possible
- Mousewheel support
- Settings can be saved and loaded
- Double-precision internal resolution and interfacing with compatible DAWs
- Windows 32/64 bit VST, VST3 and AAX versions
- Mac OS 64-bit Intel / Apple Silicon VST, VST3, AU and AAX versions
- Installer / uninstaller
A/B
- This button switches between settings A and B for comparison. All adjustments are automatically saved to the current set. Copying from one set to another is possible by pressing the control key and the A/B key at the same time.
- This setting is automatable.
B1 – 7 buttons
- These buttons switch the filters on and off. Soft Engage technology is used, that guarantee no pops and crackles during switching. Soft Engage is a Sonoris proprietary technology that prevents sudden changes in the audio data that could cause unwanted noise.
- These settings are automatable.
Bypass
- This button switches bypass on or off. The bypass is a soft bypass, disabling the filters, the volume stage and the monitor setting.
- This setting is automatable.
Gain
- This setting sets the gain of the filter. The gain ranges from –12 to +12 dB. Double clicking the thumb will reset the slider to 0dB.
- This setting is automatable.
Frequency
- The frequency value sets the resonance or cut-off frequency for the chosen filter. This setting ranges from 16Hz to 20KHz.
- This setting is automatable.
Bandwidth / Slope
- This sets the bandwidth for the peaking filters and the slope for the LP/HP filters. The bandwidth is scaled in octaves ranging from 0.1 to 4.0. For the LP/HP filters the slope is measured in dB/octave.
- This setting is automatable.
Graph display
- The graph display shows the magnitude response of the current setting. This display updates whenever a setting is changed.
- All filter bands have a little dot with the band number written on it. You can drag these dots up and down with the mouse to change the gain and frequency of the filter. As soon as you click a dot, the sliders will load the corresponding settings.
- To affect the gain only, hold the ctrl key during dragging. To affect the frequency only, hold the shift key during dragging. Holding the ctrl AND shift key affects the BW or slope.
- Clicking on the graph display switches between the three zoom levels.
- These settings are automatable.
Process
Choose between the following processing modes:
- LR: processing the stereo input
- L: processing the left channel input
- R: processing the right channel input
- M: processing the mid-channel input
- S: processing the side channel input
This setting is automatable.
Trim fader
- With this fader, you can adjust the output gain of the equalizer. The gain ranges from –18 dB to +18 dB. You can also use the mouse wheel. Double-clicking the thumb will reset the slider to 0dB.
- This setting is automatable.
Metering
- The level meters show the real-time level of the monitored signal.
- When a level reaches 0 dB the clip indicator lights up. You can reset this indicator by clicking on it.
Settings
In the settings menu are these choices:
- Load. This function allows you to recall previous settings stored in a file
- Save. This function allows you to save the current settings to a file
- Analyzer: Toggles spectrum analyzer
- Help: Shows this help file
- About: Shows the About box with registration info.
- Show tooltips: toggles tooltips on or off
FAQ
- Q: What platforms are supported by Sonoris Parallel Equalizer?
- A: The Sonoris Parallel Equalizer is supported on Windows and Mac operating systems.
- Q: What plugin formats are supported by Sonoris Parallel Equalizer?
- A: The Sonoris Parallel Equalizer is available in VST, VST3, and AAX formats.
- Q: How can I activate the plugin?
- A: Please follow the activation instructions provided at https://www.sonorissoftware.com/activation/.
- Q: What is Soft Engage technology?
- A: Soft Engage technology is a proprietary technology developed by Sonoris that ensures smooth switching between filters without any pops or crackles.
- Q: What is the range of the frequency control?
- A: The frequency control ranges from 16Hz to 20KHz.
- Q: How do I copy settings from one set to another?
- A: Press the control key and the A/B key simultaneously to copy settings from one set to another.
Copyright © Sonoris Audio Engineering 2023 – www.sonorissoftware.com