EMPq User Manual
Seven-node parametric equaliser with spectrum display
1. Introduction
EMPq is a seven-node parametric equaliser. Each node is a fully-featured band with its own shape, frequency, gain, and width, drawn on a large display with a live spectrum behind it, so you can see the audio and the curve together.
Every band can also be aimed at the centre or the edges of the stereo image using its Focus control, and soloed with Listen so you hear exactly what it is changing. EMPq adds no latency, so you can use it anywhere: while tracking, mixing, or mastering.
2. Quick start
- Insert EMPq on any track or bus.
- Click a node dot on the display to select it, then drag it to set frequency and gain.
- Use the mouse wheel over a node to make the band wider or narrower.
- Double-click a node to switch it on or off. Right-click it for shapes and more options.
- Use the IN and OUT spectrum buttons to see the audio before and after the EQ, and A/B to compare two settings.
3. Interface overview
The header holds the preset menu, the IN and OUT spectrum buttons, the A/B compare buttons, undo and redo, and the settings menu. The display fills the rest of the window. When a node is selected, a floating band panel appears with that node’s controls.
4. The display
- Spectrum: the live audio is drawn behind the curve. IN shows the audio coming in, OUT shows it after the EQ. Both can be on at once.
- Node curves: each active node draws its own curve in its own colour. When two or more nodes are on, a white combined curve shows the overall result.
- dB scale: the button in the top corner switches the vertical zoom: 30, 20, 12, 6, or 3 dB. Use a tighter scale for fine mastering moves.
- Readout: the top of the display shows the frequency and level under your pointer.
5. Working with nodes
The seven numbered dots on the display are the nodes. Node 1 is the low node (a shelf or cut for the low end), nodes 2 to 6 are general-purpose nodes, and node 7 is the high node (a shelf or cut for the top end).
- Click a node to select it and open its band panel. Click empty space to close it.
- Drag a node to change its frequency and gain at the same time.
- Mouse wheel over a node changes its width (Q).
- Double-click a node to switch it on or off.
- Right-click a node for a menu with its shape, slope, focus, listen, on/off, and a reset for that node.
The middle nodes stay in order. A node cannot be dragged past its neighbours.
6. Band controls
The floating panel shows the selected node’s controls. The … button reveals the three extra controls (Bandwidth, Peak Q, Focus). Double-click any knob to type an exact value.
On
Switches the node on or off. Changes are smooth, with no clicks.
On / Off · Default: Off
Freq
The frequency the node works at. Node 1 covers 20 Hz to 700 Hz, nodes 2–6 cover the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, and node 7 covers 1 kHz to 20 kHz.
See ranges above · Defaults: 35 Hz, 100 Hz, 350 Hz, 1 kHz, 3 kHz, 7 kHz, 12 kHz
Gain
How much the node boosts or cuts. Not used by the cut and band shapes, which have no gain.
−30 dB to +30 dB · Default: 0 dB
Q
The width of the node. Low values are broad and musical; high values are surgical.
0.10 to 40 · Default: 1.5 (2.0 on nodes 1 and 7)
Shape
Sets what kind of band the node is:
- Bell: boosts or cuts around the frequency. The everyday shape (nodes 2–6).
- Low Shelf / High Shelf: raises or lowers everything below (node 1) or above (node 7) the frequency.
- Low Cut / High Cut: removes everything below (node 1) or above (node 7) the frequency, at the selected slope.
- Band Pass: keeps the region around the frequency and reduces everything outside it.
- Band Stop: reduces the region around the frequency and leaves the rest alone.
- Tilt: tips the whole balance around the frequency: positive gain lifts the highs and lowers the lows; negative gain does the opposite.
Nodes 2–6: Bell, Band Pass, Band Stop, Tilt · Node 1: Low Shelf, Low Cut · Node 7: High Shelf, High Cut
Slope
For the Low Cut and High Cut shapes: how steeply the cut falls away.
6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, or 96 dB per octave · Default: 12 dB
Bandwidth
For the Band Pass and Band Stop shapes: how wide the kept or removed region is, in octaves.
0.2 to 8.0 octaves · Default: 1.0 octave
Peak Q
Fine adjustment of the node’s sharpness on top of Q. Negative is rounder, positive is sharper.
−50 to +50 · Default: 0
Focus
Aims the node at the stereo image. Stereo affects everything, Mid focuses on the centre of the image, and Side focuses on the edges. In-between values blend. The cut shapes always affect everything.
Side 100 % … Stereo … Mid 100 % · Default: Stereo
Listen
Solos the node so you hear only what that band is changing, which is perfect for finding a problem frequency. One node can listen at a time.
On / Off · Default: Off
7. A/B, presets and settings
- A / B: hold two complete EQ setups and switch between them. A > B copies the current one across.
- Undo / Redo: step backwards and forwards through changes, including drags and preset loads.
- Preset menu: factory presets plus your own saved settings; set a default that every new instance starts from, or reset to the factory default.
- Settings menu: interface size options, the About panel with your licence information, and licence management.
8. Specifications
Item
Detail
Plug-in formats
Available in VST3, AU, AAX, and AudioSuite for macOS and Windows.
Trial Versions
The trial versions are fully functional with no feature limitations. After purchasing a licence key, you can unlock the trial without reinstalling.
macOS
Universal binary (Intel and Apple Silicon)
Windows
64-bit
Channel support
Mono and stereo
Nodes
7, each with shape, frequency, gain, Q, bandwidth, peak Q, and focus
Latency
None (zero latency at all settings)
Licence
Activation required, with a 20-day trial
EMPq User Manual · Belgrave Audio Mastering
