Firesonic FireEQ

Available through United Plugins, FireEQ supports macOS and Windows hosts and AAX, VST, VST3 and AU formats, and is authorised with a personal licence key that allows use on multiple computers. FireEQ combines several EQ methodologies with a view to making mixing and mastering flexible but without adding too much complexity. It employs 64‑bit internal processing and supports sample rates to 192kHz and beyond.

FireEQ’s low‑ (30 to 450 Hz) and high‑shelf (1.5 to 10 kHz) filters have a ±16dB range and use analogue modelling to emulate vintage hardware, while a single Dark/Bright balance knob can control the overall tonal shading of a mix without resorting to the individual EQ controls. Depth sets the amount of processing and a further knob, Magic, adds complex dynamic processing that evens out the sound while lifting out detail that might otherwise get buried. I suspect there’s a lot going on behind the Magic control, as I found it extremely effective.

The low‑cut filter is independent of the shelving filters and adjustable up to 500Hz. It includes a ‘Sidekill’ function (also adjustable up to 500Hz) to make the low bass frequencies mono — this can eliminate the phase cancellation issues that might occur on playback or when cutting to vinyl, and ensures equal distribution of the bass end across both speakers. This filter has a selection of slope options: 6, 12, 24, 36 or 48 dB/octave.

At the centre of the resizable GUI is an eight‑band EQ, each frequency (100Hz to 12kHz in octave steps) having its own Side/Mid knob below the level slider. This adjusts the Mid/Sides balance, essentially adjusting the stereo width for each frequency. There’s switchable automatic gain compensation that follows the EQ settings to match the before and after loudnesses, so as to avoid the ‘louder sounds better’ illusion. High‑resolution in and out metering, with level adjustment, is available to the right of the GUI.

The Magic knob does an impressive job of adding density while making details more audible...

Verdict

I found FireEQ to be a very effective ‘polishing’ tool, and for mastering, the trick of narrowing or mono‑ing the low end while adding a hint of extra wideness to the highs can work very well. The Magic knob does an impressive job of adding density while making details more audible, and I like that you can tweak the individual frequency bands and still adjust the overall brightness or darkness with a single control. There’s a 14‑day free demo version, giving you plenty of time to try before you buy, and once you’ve bought it updates will always be free.