demobook

Fabfilter Pro-Q 3: Adjusting Dynamics and Gain Parameters

Demo summary

The narrator demonstrates adjusting threshold, ratio, and gain structure across Pro-DS, Pro-G, and Pro-C 2 instances directly from the list view.

Step-by-step

  1. Hold Control or Command and use the mouse wheel to zoom into the dynamics modules
  2. Mouse over a plugin instance to reveal the gain section in the bottom right corner
  3. Adjust the Input and Output gain controls using the Pan rings
  4. Hold Alt while tweaking a gain knob to move the opposite knob an equal amount
  5. Use the Mix slider in the compressor module to scale the intensity of settings

Options

  • Toggle the Auto Threshold button in the compressor module
  • Adjust Range controls for the de-esser and gate
  • Adjust Ratio for the gate and compressor
  • View EQ curves and spectrums within the EQ module

Watch out for

  • The Mix slider in the compressor gain section is not a dry/wet control for parallel compression
  • Parallel compression controls are not visible at this zoom level and require zooming in further

Tips

  • Hold Alt while adjusting gain to maintain gain structure through the plugin via equal and opposite movement
  • Use the Mix slider as an easy way to tame or exaggerate your overall settings

Highlights

a quick and easy way to adjust the gain structure through any FabFilter plugin

All demos from “Mixing with the Pro-Q 4 Instance List

  1. 2:430:53Using EQ Match in the Instance ListThe demo shows how to access the EQ Match feature within the Instance List to match the frequency profile of a rhythm guitar track to a reference track.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3AI Mastering
  2. 3:361:26Adjusting Dynamics and Gain ParametersCurrentThe narrator demonstrates adjusting threshold, ratio, and gain structure across Pro-DS, Pro-G, and Pro-C 2 instances directly from the list view.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3AI Audio Editor
  3. 5:231:08EQ Polarity and Output BoostThe demonstration shows toggling auto gain, inverting polarity, and using the temporary 6dB output boost button to check channel clarity.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3AI Audio Editor
  4. 6:311:12Editing EQ Nodes and BandsThe narrator shows how to drag EQ nodes, adjust Q values, change filter types, and solo specific bands within the Pro-Q 4 instance view.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3AI Audio Editor
  5. 14:170:59Frequency Collision DetectionThe demo shows setting a bass guitar as a collision reference to identify and fix frequency masking in rhythm guitars using a high-pass filter.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3AI Audio Editor
  6. Watch “Mixing with the Pro-Q 4 Instance List” →

AI Audio Editor

  1. 3:361:26Adjusting Dynamics and Gain ParametersCurrentThe narrator demonstrates adjusting threshold, ratio, and gain structure across Pro-DS, Pro-G, and Pro-C 2 instances directly from the list view.FabFilter
  2. 5:231:08EQ Polarity and Output BoostThe demonstration shows toggling auto gain, inverting polarity, and using the temporary 6dB output boost button to check channel clarity.FabFilter
  3. 6:311:12Editing EQ Nodes and BandsThe narrator shows how to drag EQ nodes, adjust Q values, change filter types, and solo specific bands within the Pro-Q 4 instance view.FabFilter
  4. 14:170:59Frequency Collision DetectionThe demo shows setting a bass guitar as a collision reference to identify and fix frequency masking in rhythm guitars using a high-pass filter.FabFilter
  5. 2:160:55Applying Spectral EQ with FabFilter Pro-Q 4The presenter demonstrates how to use the new spectral mode in Pro-Q 4 to lift the vocal presence while simultaneously taming harsh frequencies, similar to the functionality of Soothe.Streaky
  6. 3:111:21Dynamic EQ and Mid-Side processing in Pro-Q 4The user performs a side-channel cut to mono the bass and applies a dynamic EQ boost to the kick drum so it only triggers when the kick hits.Streaky
  7. 5:560:25Taming low-mids with Spectral EQThe user demonstrates applying spectral EQ around 300Hz to manage low-mid resonance and improve the feel of the track.Streaky
  8. 2:581:04Testing phase modes in Pro-Q 4The user switches between Zero Latency, Natural Phase, and Linear Phase modes in both FabFilter plugins while phase-inverted to see if any residue appears during playback.MixbusTv
  9. 4:162:03Comparing shelf and notch filters in Pro-Q 3 and 4The demonstration continues by applying low shelves at 120Hz, bell filters, and high-frequency notches to both plugins to verify they still null perfectly under different filter types.MixbusTv
  10. 0:161:10Notching out frequencies with FabFilter Pro-Q3Matty demonstrates how to identify and remove 'muddy' frequencies around 500Hz in a vocal track using the notch filter and solo audition mode in Pro-Q3.Matty Harris | MixAndMasterMySong
  11. 4:570:53Creating a filtered delay effectMatty uses steep low and high-cut filters in Pro-Q3 to isolate a specific frequency range for a parallel slap delay effect on a vocal track.Matty Harris | MixAndMasterMySong
  12. 7:100:48Broad stroke EQ for mix presenceThe demo shows using a wide Q setting to boost the brightness of a sample in real-time, helping it cut through a dense mix.Matty Harris | MixAndMasterMySong