iZotope Ozone 11 EQ

Ozone 11 EQ by iZotope is a versatile equalizer plugin from the Ozone suite of mastering tools. It is free as part of Native Instruments’ Komplete Start bundle. The plugin features two global filter modes: Analog, which uses minimum-phase IIR filters, and Digital, which employs linear-phase FIR filters. In Digital mode, the plugin functions as a linear-phase EQ, preserving the original signal’s phase, although it demands more CPU resources.

I love how easy it is to switch between the Analog and Digital modes. If you’re looking for a single go-to equalizer plugin to substitute all others, Ozone 11 EQ is a great candidate because of this versatility. When set to Digital mode, you can access the advanced controls, including the phase adjustment for each EQ band. In this mode, the phase can be adjusted between 0% (linear phase) and 100% (minimum phase), offering super-precise control over the phase response.

I also like the included Transient/Sustain mode, which allows independent processing of transient and sustain portions of a signal. This is ideal for nuanced mixing, where you want to slightly improve the tone of a drum without affecting the transients. The Delta feature lets you hear the difference between processed and unprocessed signals. Gain Match is also handy as it ensures the signal remains at a consistent volume post-processing.

Ozone 11 EQ is available in AAX, AU, and VST3 formats for 64-bit Windows and macOS systems. Thanks to BPB readers Thomas M and Dee for suggesting Ozone 11 EQ.