Fabfilter Pro-Q 3: Mid-side EQ for width and low-end control

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Matty Harris | MixAndMasterMySong·Jul 2024

Demo summary

Matty demonstrates how to use Pro-Q3's mid-side mode to remove low-end from the stereo sides of a bass and how to add width to a master by boosting the high-shelf on the side channel.

Step-by-step

Create a new EQ band in Pro-Q 3.
Set the filter type to Low Cut or Shelf as needed.
Click the Stereo Placement icon and select Side or Mid.
Adjust the frequency and gain to isolate or remove specific information from the stereo field.
Toggle the EQ on and off to A/B the effect on the whole mix.

Options

Use Side mode with a Low Cut to remove low-end width from stereo basses.
Use Side mode with a High Shelf to add brightness and width to a master.
Use Mid mode to boost low-end frequencies specifically in the center of the mix.

Watch out for

Club subwoofers are often mono; stereo bass information may be lost if not centered using Mid-Side EQ.

Tips

For mastering width, use a small slope of 1 or 2 dB at around 14 kHz rather than dramatic boosts.
Use Mid-Side EQ to fix stereo beats where the kick isn't hitting hard enough by boosting the low end in the Mid channel only.

Highlights

“that's a huge difference right now”

All demos from “Mastering FabFilter Pro-Q3: Top 5 Techniques for Pro-Level Mixing”

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.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3· AI Audio Editor
1:382:38Dynamic scrubbing and multi-band dynamic EQThe creator shows how to use the frequency spectrum to identify peaks, drag down multiple bands, and convert them into dynamic EQ nodes to clean up a vocal without losing its life.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3· AI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
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.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3· AI Audio Editor
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.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3· AI Audio Editor
8:322:14Mid-side EQ for width and low-end controlCurrentMatty demonstrates how to use Pro-Q3's mid-side mode to remove low-end from the stereo sides of a bass and how to add width to a master by boosting the high-shelf on the side channel.Fabfilter Pro-Q 3· AI Audio Editor
Watch “Mastering FabFilter Pro-Q3: Top 5 Techniques for Pro-Level Mixing” →

AI Audio Editor

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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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