FabFilter Pro-Q 3: 10 Things You Need to Know
- The Display is 4k and Can be Made Full-Screen
- You can Zoom In on Specific Frequencies
- Up to 24 Dynamic Bands can be Created
- EQ Matching Allows for an Inverse EQ Technique
- Bands can be Snapped to Notes Using a Piano Roll
- There are 9 Available Filter Types and a Gain-Q Setting
- 7 Different Latency Types Make it Perfect for Mastering
- Frequency Collision Indication is Available
- Each Band Can be Isolated
- Mid-Side, Stereo, and Left-Right Placements are Offered
The FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is a popular, yet rarely fully understood plugin. Whether you’re using it for mixing or mastering, there are some features that may have slipped past you.
That’s why we wanted to highlight some of the obvious and not-so-obvious aspects of the Pro-Q 3.
We’ll cover some of it’s rarely discussed features as well as discuss how they’re useful. Additionally, we’ll listen to real-time examples of some of these features, so check that out in the video embedded above.
If you’re an artist or an engineer, and you have a mix that you need mastered, send it to us here:
We’ll master it for you and send you a sample to review.
1. The Display is 4k and Can be Made Full-Screen
Plugins can often be resized, but a full-screen mode isn’t common. By clicking the arrows icon in the bottom right of the plugin you can alternate between 5 window sizes.
But, if you’re looking to really focus on what you’re doing, you can make the plugin full-screen by clicking the box icon in the top right.
On the top right of the plugin is the full screen button.
What’s great is that since the plugin’s resolution is 4k, it looks just as good on full screen as it does when minimized.
2. You can Zoom In on Specific Frequencies
If maximizing the window to full-screen wasn’t enough, the Pro-Q 3 lets you zoom in on the frequency spectrum.
By clicking the frequency number, and moving your mouse upward while holding click down, you can zoom in.
To do this, hover your cursor over the text of a particular frequency in the main window. Once the text is highlighted white, click, and use your mouse or track-pad to zoom in.
Although this doesn't seem crucial at first, this can be really helpful if you’re trying to create a very specific band shape, or combine multiple bands.
Like some of the things on this list, this feature is pretty easy to miss if you don’t know about it beforehand.
For more EQ plugins, check out our video of 10 free ones:
3. Up to 24 Dynamic Bands can be Created
Many of us know that the Pro-Q 3 can make up to 24 bands - but it’s surprising to hear that each one of these bands can be made dynamic.
After you create a band right click it and select ‘make dynamic.’
The band is now dynamic based-on an automatic threshold. You can fine-tune this threshold in the band’s window below - but if you’re in doubt, the automatic setting works pretty well.
This dynamic equalization can be used for both compression and expansion. To alternate between these 2, grab the translucent bands with the arrows, and move them either up to expand, or down to compress.
Drag the band up to expand, or down to compress.
4. EQ Matching Allows for an Inverse EQ Technique
Another great feature of the Pro-Q 3 is EQ matching which allows for one of my favorite eq techniques.
It’s called an inverse eq technique and is used to separate the frequency spectrums of 2 similar instruments or groups.
This is roughly what your final result should look like.
Place the Pro-Q 3 on 1 of the 2 tracks you want to affect , then use the side-chain to include the other track or instrument bus.
Next, in the analyzer section at the bottom of the plugin, click on EQ Match, then change the reference to your external side chain.
Play the track and let the EQ mirror the two frequencies. After some time has past click Match, then use all 24 bands available and select Finish.
After deleting some of the more extreme bands, highlight all bands at once. Using the Gain rotary, slowly invert the gain of all bands. Use your discretion and avoid making this effect too extreme.
By matching the 2 tracks, and then inverting the bands that make them match, we make them even more distinct from one another.
5. Bands can be Snapped to Notes Using a Piano Roll
The Piano icon in the bottom left of the plugin is easy to miss - it’s small, somewhat grayed out, and is a part of the plugin you wouldn’t think to look.
Notice that the notes snap to the piano roll at the bottom.
By clicking on it, a piano roll comes up at the bottom of the main window. You’ll notice that any bands that have been created show up on this roll as a colored dot.
Drags these dots to snap the frequency of the band to that of a note in the scale. This is incredibly useful if you want to accent the key of an instrument’s performance or attenuate any dissonant frequencies.
6. There are 9 Available Filter Types and a Gain-Q Setting
The Pro-Q 3 offers an impressive 9 filter types, including:
9 filter types make the plugin incredibly versatile.
Bell, Low Shelf, High-pass, High Shelf, Low-pass, Notch, Bandpass, tilt shelf, and flat tilt. With the exception of the flat tilt, each of these filter types can have their slope altered from 6dB pre octave to 96dB per octave.
Furthermore, the bell filter can be combined with a Gain-Q setting, which mimics the effect of increased gain on the Q of a band, similar to analog consoles.
7. 7 Different Latency Types Make it Perfect for Mastering
A lot of plugins offer linear phase options, but few offer as many at the Pro-Q 3. With 7 different latency options, you can craft the timbre of your track to better suit what you’re trying to accomplish.
If you’re trying to perform basic equalization or use the plugin in a live setting, zero latency is great. If you want to more closely emulate the phase relationships of an analog console, try the Natural phase option.
Or if you’d prefer to have a super clean sound without the introduction of phase cancellation, try the 5 linear phase modes. Keep in mind that these will increase your latency - but are great when you’re mastering and want as transparent of a sound as possible.
If you want more plugins for mastering, here's a video on that topic:
8. Frequency Collision Indication is Available
Sometimes it's difficult to hear when frequencies are clashing - fortunately, the Pro-Q 3 lets you visual these issues using the Frequency Collision option.
The red collision band shows where masking or phase interference may be happening amongst frequencies.
When other tracks are present, you can use the side-chain feature to allow the plugin to measure their spectrums. Then, under the analyzer section, you can enable the function.
Any frequencies that are conflicting with one another will be highlighted as a red bar that varies in intensity. Keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to attenuate these areas in one track or another.
9. Each Band Can be Isolated
If you’re looking to hear just one band, the isolated feature lets you do just that.
Click the headphones icon to isolate the frequencies affected by the band.
By clicking on the headphones icon the essentially solo all frequencies that are affected by that band. If you’re not seeing this option, click the Help button on the top of the plugin, and select ‘Show EQ Parameter Display.’
This causes the needed window to appear.
10. Mid-Side, Stereo, and Left-Right Placements are Offered
Allow it’s an equalizer first and foremost, the Pro-Q 3 makes for a fantastic stereo imager. By allowing you to separate the signal into mid, side, left and right channels, you can widen or narrow your stereo image.
For example, you can use a high-shelf filer on the sideband to increase the stereo width of the high frequencies. Or maybe a high-pass band on the side-image to make your low frequencies mono.
Furthermore, you can affect the overall stereo image by switching the output to mid-side, and then decreasing the gain of the mid-image.
The output pan can also be used to widen or narrow the stereo image.
Whatever the case may be, the channel image options make the Pro-Q 3 suitable for advanced stereo imaging.
Conclusion
Whether you’re mixing or mastering, equalizing, widening your stereo image, and even compressing or expanding, the Pro-Q 3 has a lot to offer.
The 4k display and various display features make the plugin one of the most versatile and intuitive equalizers available.
If the plugin has some more hidden or lesser-discussed features that we didn’t cover here, let us know in the comment section of the video!
If you’re an artist or an engineer, and you have a mix that you need mastered, send it to us here:
We’ll master it for you and send you a sample to review.
Have you tried the Pro-Q 3?
Ready to make your mixes sound 10 times better, 10 times faster...
You're literally one step away from 10 times better sound.
The best part is... it's risk-free, if we can't make your mixes sound 10 times better, you don't pay for it.
JOIN NOWREAD OUR REVIEWS
Review by Joel S.
If you're looking for great mastering, Sage is where you need to be. I've been working with Sage for years - they do an amazing job and are really easy to work with.
They actually care about your project and want it to sound its best just as much as you do. I'm always excited to get a song or project back from mastering. I've tried many mastering companies, and Sage is by far the best.
If you're serious about your music, it's worth checking them out; you won't be disappointed - they make your mixes sound balanced and professional.
They also offer mixing feedback to help improve your mixes and mixing and mastering education courses to help improve your sound. Shout out to Sage Audio! you can't go wrong - like I said, if you're serious about your music, this is your studio.
Review by April K.
I've been getting my masters done by Sage Audio for the past 4 years now, and I've tried multiple places in my 15 years in the music business. Sage Audio is the only one that has given me the quality I love!
Their mastering membership is an excellent deal for anyone looking for professional mastering and full customer service. Also, I never had an issue with submitting new mix versions for remastering or asking for too many revisions - they have always been very respectful about remastering new mixes and making any adjustments I wanted. I'm staying with Sage, no need to look further! Best masters out there!
Review by Justin G.
Sage Audio is by far the best audio engineering company I've found. I've been with them for 8 years, and it's clear that they set the bar high in regard to mastering services. Their online platform makes it easy to upload tracks and communicate directly with your own dedicated mastering engineer, and their customer service is excellent.
Overall, the sound achieved by Sage Audio engineers is awesome. Their mastering brings out the best in each track - improving clarity, depth, and impact - and they focus on crafting personalized masters that are specific to your needs.
Another thing that sets Sage Audio apart from other mastering services is that the mastering is actually done with your dedicated mastering engineer and not some sort of AI software, and you get full customer service and feedback on your mixes too.
Their commitment to delivering top-tier mastering while maintaining consistent communication shows how much they care about their clients' music. For anyone looking for a personalized online mastering that combines top-level quality with excellent customer service, look no further than Sage Audio.
Review by James T.
The engineers at Sage Audio could not have made my first commercial audio experience any better! Every time I emailed to get a question answered, I worked with the same person consistently.
They know what they are doing; after listening to my masters on numerous systems, I heard my music in a whole new light. My bass and kick were tighter, not muddy, and hit with the "grit" that I intended. My mids and highs were clear, vibrant, and presented well on all stereos and devices.
I could have never achieved this level of quality without their diligent minds and professional know-how! If you are looking to get your project up to a commercial level while meeting a budget, Sage Audio is the place to go!
Review by Rebecca D.
Sage Audio is by far the best mastering service! They are the most professional, kind, and loyal people. Every song they mastered was spot on!
For artists looking to have their music mastered, they have an awesome and affordable mastering membership and are dedicated to making every mix sound like a professional master. Thank you, Sage Audio, for transforming my music!
Review by Daniel S.
The last ten years of my audio mixing career have been plagued by frustration, self-doubt, and compulsive shopping for magic game-changing plugins that can fix my poor mixes... guess what... it was all wasted time and money; I was shooting in the dark.
Until now.
I had heard about Sage Audio a long time ago, but at that time, their pricing seemed too expensive - how wrong I was.
Firstly, there is no substitute for hard work; you must do your part; what this service gave me was perspective - what's different about this master from my own? why? what am I missing? how can I improve my final mixdown in order to get the best possible master?
The included courses are really useful and well explained, but to me, the real power is the community of engineers offering their feedback; there's nothing like a second set of ears, or a lot of sets of ears! Getting other engineers' advice is priceless, and fixing common problems suddenly became very simple.
The best part is that I have made a bunch of mixes on my own now and am starting to get incredibly good responses - my confidence is up, with no additional plugins, no new DAW, not even new monitors.
I've been a Sage Audio member for about 9 months now, and all services are excellent. The 1-on-1 mixing feedback is incredibly helpful, and the professional community is way more active than I could have imagined. I'll be here for the long haul. So, if you're ready to take your music to the next level and change a lot of misconceptions, this is your place!
Review by Thomas E.
I am a musician and songwriter with decent recording skills, but I could never get my final mixes mastered to where the EQ, volume, and clarity sounded good on all playback systems without distortion.
I did extensive research on mastering and tried expensive studio headphones, but I never quite "mastered" mastering. It was very frustrating and took way too much time away from my music.
Then I found Sage Audio, and it sounded like just the service I needed at a reasonable price, so I joined their membership.
It was a game-changing decision. They always respond quickly and are focused on pleasing their customers. They mastered several of my songs, and they all came out perfect.
One of them took three takes because I had to change some levels and panning, but each time, they said, "No problem, we want you to be 100% happy with the final master."
They even asked for ways to improve their service, and they have a unique service where you can upload your mixes and receive feedback directly from them for improvement. I also found in the community, there are great musicians, singers, and songwriters to collaborate with for future projects.
In summary, Sage Audio has saved me a lot of time and provided great masters for my songs, way better than I could have ever done! I give them my highest recommendation.
Review by Frank B.
I've been using Sage Audio for a while now and have been very pleased with their professionalism and quality of work!
I'm NOT new to the audio production world and have been mixing and self-mastering for over a decade. I've used Grammy-winning mastering engineers as well as online AI-driven mastering services, so I know the full range of mastering services available to artists and their producers.
What sets Sage apart, IMO, and, in my experience, is that they are very customer-centric and will do almost anything to make the customer happy with their work. An example is a recent master I wasn't 100% happy with because it was too compressed for Classical material. They jumped right on it, giving me another more gently compressed master, which I'm delighted with. This was a NO EXTRA CHARGE. I know from experience that this isn't the norm in this industry, where egos prevail.
An example of Sage's superior work is when a client I'm working with wanted proof that it was better than a well-known, low-cost AI-driven mastering service. While my instructions to both Sage and the online service were close, only Sage had a human to interpret some of the instructions. As a result, the Sage master was considerably LOUDER and had more HEADROOM to boot. You can't ask for much more for a Pop song.
In summary, I'd recommend Sage to anyone looking for professional mastering for their upcoming release.
Give them a shot. I'm sure you'll be pleased.
Review by Dan Y.
Sage Audio has been a lifesaver for me. Mastering was my weakest point, and I only wish I could've found them sooner. I have used their services for the last 6 months and have also recommended them to several of my musician friends. Every track I send comes back sounding brilliant.
I once experimented by mastering one of my songs by myself, by another leading mastering studio, and also by Sage Audio. Sage's master was hands-down the best: clear, loud, yet dynamic, and the overall sound was smooth. I can say with 100% confidence Sage Audio is the best mastering service around.
It's also a pleasure connecting with their team on a personal level; they are very attentive to details and respond fast.
Review by Irene F.
I found Sage Audio when I was searching for a company that could master my original songs. My initial email was responded to in less than ten minutes. I explained my situation, then created an account and uploaded my mix for mastering.
I let my engineer know what was bothering me in the song and what I would like it to sound like. In a short time, he sent me a notification email to download the master and asked if it was to my liking.
On first listen, it blew me away, as it contained everything I had asked for, and the sound was vibrant, clear, and, quite frankly, perfect. I've been with Sage Audio ever since - they're so easy to work with, friendly, eager to help, and highly professional. I would recommend them to anyone.
Review by Aaron C.
I first used Sage audio 3 years ago to get an album mastered. I hadn't used an outside service for mastering before, so I didn't know exactly what to expect, but I had learned a lot from the Sage Audio YouTube channel and liked the clear, concise way the videos explained various audio principles, so I felt comfortable using their services.
Not only did the masters sound amazing (dynamic, but still as loud as I wanted), but the engineer answered all of my questions and responded to my emails almost immediately.
To add to that, considering all the services you get with the membership is an incredible deal - it Includes mastering, mixing feedback, courses, and community. It's everything you need, and their customer service is top-notch.
As good as their YouTube videos are, I knew this would be a fantastic resource; as a college professor myself, I recognize excellent instruction, and Sage has a knack for breaking down complex processes and demonstrating how plugins work in concise bursts that never overwhelm the learner.
More importantly, you will come to understand when to use the tools in your arsenal and why to do so. You, thus, are learning how to ask better questions of the mastering engineers that you have access to through your membership, and ultimately, you are being empowered to become an engineer yourself!
Review by John G.
I started using Sage Audio to master my songs about three to four years ago - I wish I had found them earlier. Their mastering makes my mixes sound like professional songs, and they're a delight to work with.
Also, they have a very active community of musicians, producers, and engineers, along with mixing and mastering courses - which have provided me with so much useful information. On top of that, the mixing feedback is excellent, and they continually provide thoughtful suggestions, which I've found invaluable for improving my mixes. It's worth checking them out - you will not be disappointed.
Review by Brandon T.
I had Sage Audio master my last 3 albums, and I plan to use them for my next release too. They do an exceptional job of creating balance and clarity for each project, and they are so friendly and helpful when it comes to answering questions and offering suggestions.
Their experience is invaluable, and they have truly insightful feedback when it comes to mixing and mastering. I have tried other companies in the past and came back to Sage to get that professionally polished sound every time.
Review by Ben V.
A few months ago, a friend of mine recommended I try Sage Audio for my final master's. Being a mix engineer myself, I was hesitant at first due to the fact that in the past, when using online mastering, I found that no engineer would care for the track as much as I would.
Knowing the basic rule that you always want to have another set of ears to master anything you've mixed, I realized I had hit a plateau in how far I could take my final master. To my surprise, Sage and the team took my master's to a level I could not reach, both dynamically and sonically.
I'm a full-time artist who is constantly recording, releasing, and traveling. The burden that the Sage team has taken off my shoulders by being a trustworthy mastering service is tremendous.
They have provided me with quick turnarounds while out of the country to meet deadlines for releases and are understanding & receptive when I request changes after hearing a master, even going as far as to follow up with me, confirming that I am 100% happy with the final master, quoting, "I'm not happy unless you're happy."
Another benefit to Sage Audio is their library of mixing and mastering tutorials. Any good sound engineer knows that there are a million ways to reach a rich, dynamic final mix or mastering and that you're never done learning how to engineer. Sage's courses offer a great refresher on fundamentals and a clear understanding of complex techniques to help push you as an engineer.
Cheers Sage, thanks for the excellent service!
Review by Charlie E.
My writing partner and I have recorded and mixed 2 albums and a few singles, the first 2 albums we did were mastered by a different company. The masters were ok, but from that experience, we developed a better and more critical understanding of the mastering process.
Upon preparing to have our 3th album mastered, we did some research and exploration for other mastering options and found Sage Audio - which is where we had our latest album mastered.
We were both very much impressed with the work, the communication, and the willingness to create the exact sound we wanted for the album. We definitely heard a difference in the mastering - Sage Audio masters are clean, clear, and professional.
On top of that, we really enjoyed receiving mixing feedback, which was really helpful for making adjustments to bring the most out of our mixes before sending for mastering. For anyone seeking true audio professionals, I recommend Sage Audio!
Review by Sam V.
Sage Audio mastering engineers are the best I've ever worked with! I've been an Artist, Songwriter & Producer for over 12 years, and believe me, over the years, I've worked with several studios and countless engineers. But since I connected with Sage Audio, those days are over. I took a chance on something new - sent my first mix to see how it would go, and they didn't waste any time lol, they responded the very next day, and the master I got back far exceeded my expectations.
The level of quality and attention to detail was impressive. It was everything & more than what I hoped for, and now I will never trust my mixes in any other hands. They've quickly become my number 1 go-to-guys for mastering, hands down.
Not to mention, they also give you in-depth mixing feedback to help you improve your mixes before sending them for mastering. You can't go wrong with Sage Audio. These guys definitely deserve all the credit in the world. I would strongly recommend them to anyone out there looking for solid professionals to polish your mix. I can personally promise you, Sage Audio will deliver every time!
Review by Ryan B.
I've been using Sage Audio for mastering my tracks over the past year and a half, and they've been great on every front.
If I need a track mastered within a week, they usually get back to me with a high-quality finished master within a few days, and the cost is negligible compared to what some other studios are charging.
They also have an active community, and their mixing feedback option is super helpful; their suggestions are specific, revealing, and accurate.
I highly recommend them if you're a musician, producer, or mixing engineer who needs that last bit of polish before you release. They're worth every penny.
LISTEN TO OUR SAMPLES
Ready to make your mixes sound 10 times better, 10 times faster...
The best part is... it's risk-free, if we can't make your mixes sound 10 times better, you don't pay for it.
HERE'S WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR SAGE AUDIO MEMBERSHIP
- One-on-One Mixing Feedback
Private 1-on-1 mixing feedback directly from us
- Mastering Service
Custom mastering service tailored to your specific sound
- Mixing Course
Access to our flagship 23-video mixing course, including walkthrough sessions for 8 genres, featuring mixing chains with free and paid plugins — Included multitracks for mixing practice
- Mastering Course
Access to our flagship 19-video mastering course, including walkthrough sessions for 8 genres, featuring mixing chains with free and paid plugins — Included unmastered mixes for mastering practice
- Community
Access to the thriving Sage Audio community for discussions and networking
- Cancel Anytime
No commitments
- Risk-Free Money-Back Guarantee
If we can't make your mixes sound 10 times better, you don't pay for it, so it's risk-free
What's the Endgame?... You have mixes that sound 10 times better — songs you're proud of that make people say "Wow."
We guarantee 10 times better sound, or you don't pay for it, so it's risk-free. Members get 1-on-1 mixing feedback, mastering service, courses & access to our thriving community. That’s about it.
If you want to transform your mixes from a source of pain and struggle to a source of pleasure and fulfillment, JOIN NOW. The struggle stops now. JOIN NOW
