This is our third in a series of recent reviews of ANWIDA's VST effects plug-ins for PC (see also the CX1V and the L1V). What's most noticeable about these plug-ins is how much the interface of each one resembles the classic style of a hardware effects device. That includes the simple layout and use of the controls, as well as the minimum readouts, all of which require very little effort to understand. There's only one interface per plug-in, and - except for the presets display, which is host dependent - there are no menus. As with a hardware unit, you can simply start pressing buttons and turning knobs to see what sounds you get. It couldn't be easier.

That simplicity is epitomized by ANWIDA's GEQ15V and GEQ31V professional graphic equalizers. They are called graphic because the position of the slider on each frequency band gives a visual indication of the amount of amplitude boost (gain) or cut (attenuation) being applied. On both EQs, the gain sliders have a default range from +12 to -12 dB, but a Gain Range button allows a decreased range from +6 to -6 dB. As to frequency range, both EQs go from 20Hz to 20kHz. Both also display a signal output volume knob and a small parameter value screen.

Internally, both EQs have constant Q digital filters, which isolate each band from the amplitude and bandwidth of adjacent bands. And, like ANWIDA's other VST plug-ins, both EQs provide 64-bit internal processing, as well as support for 24-bit/96kHz audio. In fact, the two equalizers are functionally identical in all respects but one: while the GEQ15V offers 15 bands with each band centered around 2/3 octave frequencies, the GEQ31V offers 31 bands with each band centered around 1/3 octave frequencies. The GEQ31V, of course, because of the narrower range of each band, allows greater precision in control.

In the design of these EQs, ANWIDA explains that it aimed for "the warmth of a classic analog device," combined with the clarity and accuracy of digital processing. In general, we found that the sound quality is exceptionally clean and clear, and that, whether we used the presets or any of our own settings, both EQs can powerfully re-shape the character of virtually any sounds fed through them. And, as expected, because of its greater precision, the GEQ31V produced a smoother range of response and greater flexibility.

The easy usefulness and the comfortable feel of these EQs make them attractive and reliable for everyday use. Either one would make an excellent addition to any musician's set of effects tools.

(See also our reviews of ANWIDA's CX1V 1.1 Compressor/Expander and their L1V 1.1 Limiter/Maximizer.)

System Requirements:

200 MHz Pentium processor (or higher), or 100% equivalent
At least 32MB RAM
Windows 9x/ME/NT4/2000/XP (soon available for Mac OS)
VST 2.0 compatible audio host application

Product pages:

GEQ15V
GEQ31V
V Eq Pack (bundled GEQ15V and GEQ31V)
FREE DEMO Downloads

Prices:

GEQ15V 1.1: $49.00 USD
GEQ31V 1.1: $69.00 USD
V Eq Pack 1.1: $99.00 USD

For more information, visit ANWIDA Soft.

Reviewed in February 2003.