Gold Pro by Terry West: Your Precise Tool for Perfect Equalization
In the world of music production and sound recording, equalization (EQ) is one of the most important tools. It allows you to shape the character of instruments and vocals, remove unwanted frequencies, correct tonal balance, and ensure clarity and transparency in the mix. A properly applied equalizer can “open up” a track, making it more powerful, brighter, and more professional. There are many types of equalizers, but parametric EQs are considered among the most flexible and powerful because they allow you to precisely adjust not only the frequency and gain/attenuation level, but also the bandwidth affected by the change.
Introducing Gold Pro – a VST plugin from developer Terry West, a vivid representative of flexible parametric equalizers. Created for the Windows operating system (Win32), this tool offers an extended set of functions for detailed work with sound, making it a valuable addition to the arsenal of any sound engineer or musician.
Key Features and Characteristics of Gold Pro
Gold Pro is not just another EQ plugin; it provides capabilities that go beyond basic equalization. Its structure and functions are designed for maximum accuracy and control over the sound spectrum. Let’s take a closer look at its main components:
Flexible Parametric Bands
The heart of Gold Pro is its five fully flexible parametric bands: Low, Lowmid, Mid, Highmid, High. This division covers the entire audible range and allows for targeted work with specific areas of sound. You can boost or attenuate the signal in each of these bands, affecting the bass foundation, warmth of the mid frequencies, presence and clarity, as well as the “air” and brilliance in the high frequencies.
- Low frequencies (Low): Working with the sound foundation, adding body or removing “hum”.
- Low mid (Lowmid): Important for warmth and density, may contain many problematic resonances.
- Mid (Mid): A key area for vocal presence and many instruments.
- High mid (Highmid): Affects clarity, attack, and “screechiness”.
- High frequencies (High): Responsible for “air”, sparkle, and detail.
Wide Frequency Range and Precise Adjustment
Each of the five Gold Pro bands has the ability to select a frequency in an extremely wide range – from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This means you can affect any frequency within the audible spectrum, from the lowest sub-bass to the highest harmonics. This flexibility allows you to precisely target problem frequencies or accentuate the exact harmonics needed to shape the desired timbre.
Three Q-Points per Band: Unprecedented Control Over the Curve Shape
One of the most distinctive features of Gold Pro is the presence of as many as three independent Q-points for each parametric band. The “Q” value (quality factor) determines the bandwidth of the frequency range affected by the applied equalizer. A low Q value gives a wide band of influence, while a high value gives a very narrow one. The presence of three Q-points per band opens up unique possibilities for sound shaping:
- You can create more complex equalization curves within a single band. For example, simultaneously make a narrow cut to remove resonance and a wider boost next to it to add body, using only one EQ band.
- This allows you to more effectively deal with multiple resonances in one frequency area.
- Provides exceptional flexibility in timbre shaping, allowing you to create curves that precisely meet the needs of the mix or sound design.
This function significantly distinguishes Gold Pro from many other parametric equalizers, which usually have only one Q-point per band.
Solo and Boost Functions for Detailed Work
For even more precise analysis and correction, Gold Pro is equipped with Solo and Boost functions for each band separately. The Solo function allows you to isolate and listen only to the part of the sound spectrum affected by the selected band. This is incredibly useful for detecting problem resonances, noise, or for understanding which frequencies form a certain aspect of an instrument’s sound. The Boost function is likely intended to quickly boost the selected band for more effective frequency searching, although it may have other applications depending on the implementation of the plugin. These tools make the equalization process more intuitive and accurate.
Bypass for Objective Evaluation
The ability to bypass the applied processing is critical for making the right decisions when mixing. Gold Pro provides a bypass function for each individual band, as well as a general bypass for the entire plugin. Bypassing individual bands allows you to quickly compare how the correction in that particular area affects the sound. The general bypass allows you to hear the difference between the processed and unprocessed signal, which is the basis for objective A/B testing and avoiding “psychoacoustic traps”.
Output Level Control
Finally, Gold Pro is equipped with master volume (Volume) and panorama (Pan) controls at the output. This is convenient for fine-tuning the overall signal level after equalization and positioning it in the stereo space of the mix.
Conclusion
Gold Pro by Terry West is a powerful and flexible parametric equalizer that stands out among other plugins thanks to its unique implementation of three Q-points for each of the five bands. Combined with a wide frequency range, Solo/Boost functions, and convenient bypass options, it becomes an indispensable tool for detailed correction and sound shaping. If you are working in a Windows (Win32) environment and are looking for a precise and advanced EQ plugin for mixing, mastering, or sound design, Gold Pro is definitely worth your attention. Try it to experience a new level of control over the frequency balance of your audio recordings.
