"iZotope's new FXEQ multieffects plug-in, vividly coloring your audio, employs straightforward routing and avoids laborious plugin piles for saturation, reverb, and delay applications"
In the world of digital audio workstations, iZotope has just released a new multi-effects plugin called FXEQ. This innovative tool offers a unique approach to applying creative effects across the frequency spectrum, using an EQ-style interface that unlocks a world of possibilities for sound designers and engineers.
Key Features and Capabilities
Five Effect Modules
FXEQ contains five creative effects: Saturate, Reverb, Delay, Modulate, and Lo-Fi. Each module offers multiple modes and two central controls, providing a wide range of tonal variations. The Saturate module offers eight saturation modes for adding warmth, bite, and distortion, while the Reverb module features three distinct reverb algorithms (Hall, Plate, Chamber). The Delay module offers four delay types (Classic, Reverse, Crunch, Modulation), and the Modulate module provides chorus, flanger, phaser, and doubler modes. The Lo-Fi effect recreates the tones of vinyl, cassette, tape, and radio.
Innovative EQ Workflow
Each effect module in FXEQ runs through a six-band parametric EQ, enabling precise frequency-targeted effect application. With four filter shapes and adjustable Q factor, you can apply, for example, reverb only to high frequencies or saturation to mids for clean, focused sound sculpting.
Creative "Painting"
The intuitive EQ interface lets users "paint" effects directly onto sounds, avoiding complex plugin routing or stacked effect chains. This feature makes FXEQ a powerful yet user-friendly tool for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
Additional Features
FXEQ also comes with over 50 professional presets and a random preset picker for inspiration. It includes an "FX Only" mode optimized for send effects usage in mixes and a built-in zero-latency limiter to prevent clipping.
System Compatibility and Optimized Resource Usage
FXEQ supports macOS (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia) and Windows 10/11, and is compatible with standard plugin formats (AAX, AU, VST3) and widely used DAWs like Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and Cubase. Compared to manually setting up multiple multiband effects and plugins, FXEQ offers a streamlined workflow that saves CPU load and time without sacrificing quality or flexibility.
Part of the Catalyst Series
FXEQ is part of the Catalyst series, a collection of easy-to-use plugins from iZotope. It is priced at $49/£49.
In conclusion, FXEQ combines a colorful, easy-to-use interface with powerful effects and precise frequency control, designed both to solve mixing problems quickly and inspire creative sound shaping in music production. Whether you're a beginner looking to add some polish to your tracks or a seasoned professional seeking a versatile tool for sound design, FXEQ is definitely worth a try.
- This innovative multi-effects plugin, FXEQ, by iZotope, not only offers a unique approach to creative effects but also incorporates technology in the form of a six-band parametric EQ, allowing precise frequency-targeted effect application.
- FXEQ runs through each effect module with an intuitive EQ interface, enabling users to 'paint' effects directly onto sounds, thus leveraging technology to simplify plugin routing and stacked effect chains.
