Plugins Reviews

Sonible – SmartEQ 2 | HONEST review (2020)

January 13, 2022January 13, 2022 Producer Sphere smarteq 2 review, sonible smart eq 2, sonible smart eq 2 review, sonible smarteq 2

If you mention an automatic EQ analyzer plugin to a lot of producers, you may be met with a few raised eyebrows. The idea of a consistently reliable plugin that actually analyzes your sound and generates EQ curves in real time seems almost impossible.

Smart:EQ 2 is a truly unique, linear phase EQ plugin that shatters this misconception. This plugin is capable of automatically EQ’ing a range of sounds, from adding a little “punch” to your kicks, to smoothing and enhancing a vocal performance. Sonible describes the “revolutionary learning ability” of the plugin, and their smart plugins are definitely making waves in the producer sphere. However, whenever any A.I. generated filter plugin comes up in conversation, the same question always remains. Can this plugins automated EQ results even come close to individual human subjectivity?

SmartEQ 2: The Engine

Upon opening Smart:EQ 2, you are met with a sleek, gorgeous interface focused around a central, visual audio analyzer. Like other Sonible products, Smart:EQ 2 clearly prides itself on a streamlined, highly intuitive user experience from the get-go.

Across the top of the interface there is a dedicated “smart:band” module with various options for States and Profiles (containing a large amount of equalization presets such as male / female vocals, various guitar presets and several wind, string and brass instrument profiles). Along the bottom of the interface, the filters of the active band can be selected, including new tilt and M/S modes. You also have the option to input values for Hz, dB and q, and each of the possible 7 parametric bands can be soloed or removed completely.

For an EQ plugin, this is all relatively standard stuff, and Smart:EQ 2 works very well as a standard parametric EQ tool. However let’s take a look at the main attraction of this plugin: the intelligent A.I EQ filter function.

An Intelligent EQ

Smart:EQ 2 automatically analyzes your sound input, and adapts it’s EQ’ing in real time to the characteristics of the signal. I thought the best way to test this feature was to experiment with a few mixes and audio tracks of varying quality.

First, I added Smart:EQ 2 to a selection of high-quality, “perfectly mixed” tracks (and yes, I understand this is very objective). From commercial hip hop to modern rock anthems, this EQ plugin offered very little suggestion in terms of the EQ correction of the tracks. In fact, on some particularly well balanced tracks, Smart:EQ 2 correctional EQ’ing was virtually absent, which was extremely impressive. If you’re a beginner to mixing audio, I can see this tool being particularly useful for getting to grips with the concept of corrective EQ’ing, especially during the mastering process.

Next, I added Smart:EQ 2 to mixes with known harsh resonances. I used a pre-mixed track I worked on many years ago with a very thin, muffled high-end and a very muddy bass mix. At this point I was particularly blown away. Smart:EQ 2 immediately enhanced the clarity and detail of the high end without any “tinny” frequencies or pesky sibilance. Furthermore, it added a smooth, attenuating EQ curve to the low-end, which resulted in a deep, warm bass mix.

Individual tracks

Smart:EQ is also designed to EQ individual instruments and sounds, as well as final correctional EQ’ing of an entire track. I’m always somewhat sceptical of EQ presets or profiles for specific instruments, and tend to avoid them.

However, this tool approaches this problem a little differently. Instead of just applying a default EQ curve, Smart:EQ curates EQ levels based on the frequency distribution of your audio signal. So two pianos with contrasting mixes will not have the same EQ filter bands applied to them.

I tested this EQ tool on a few piano samples, solo guitar tracks, vocals etc. The results were pretty incredible. Granted, there was certain tweaks and finetuning that I would have applied if it was a professional mix, but these differences could always be attributed to personal taste as opposed to any inefficiency of the plugin itself.

It’s definitely worth noting that it is very easy and intuitive to edit and adjust the automatic filtering if it’s not quite to your taste. Smart:EQ is as efficient as an EQ plugin gets.

Final thoughts

I hate to speak in absolutes, but I doubt an automated EQ plugin will ever replace the need for the human element. Thankfully, Sonible seem to understand this, as Smart:EQ 2 can adjust filter curves as well as automatically create them. I’d say this product will particularly appeal to:

• Beginners to music production: For learning and understanding the importance and functionality of equalization.

• Intermediate/advanced producers: For a go-to plugin for detailed EQ shaping and a time-saver for repetitive tasks by using custom profiles.

EQ’ing is an art of personal taste, but Sonible have managed to create a plugin to intelligently and efficiently sculpt EQ curves, with enough customization options to still give your creativity room to breathe.

SmartEQ 2 is available now at €129.00

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