DealsEQ Eight is a precise, 8 point EQ that comes included with certain versions of Ableton Live. It works fantastically with the Ableton workflow and is a great tool to use when you want a quick way to remove resonances or sculpt frequencies. But, what if it has gone missing?
In this article, we'll discuss the reasons you can't find EQ eight in Ableton and offer some great free alternatives to download.
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Help! I Can't Find EQ Eight in My Ableton (Answered)
If you can't find EQ Eight in Ableton Live, check your software tier. EQ Eight does not come with Live Lite or Live Intro. You will only get EQ Eight with Ableton Live Standard and Suite.
So, how can you get EQ Eight in Ableton Lite or Intro?
The short answer is, you can't get EQ Eight in Ableton Lite or Intro. There are no available downloads for EQ Eight online. However, one way you can get around this is by downloading a free EQ plugin that does the same job.
EQ Eight Free Alternatives
There are tonnes of different free EQ options to choose from online, but here are the best free EQ Eight alternatives:
1. Melda Production MEqualizer
Compatibility: Win, Mac, AU, AAX, VST, 64-bit
MEqualizer is a free EQ plugin included with Melda Production's suite of 37 free plugins. These consist of utilities and effects that you'll be able to use for mixing, mastering, sound design and composition.
The plugin consists of an easy-to-use interface, with 6 EQ bands for mixing. These bands have 7 different filter types for each, an integrated tube saturation module, and harmonics control, which help it to sound vintage while keeping a stellar workflow.
With MEqualizer, you also get a fantastic graphic display, with a spectrum analyzer and sonogram. This helps you to really see what's happening with your audio and make boosts & cuts where needed.
When compared to Ableton's EQ Eight, MEqualizer only has a band missing. This means you'll lack a little on the precision, but it's definitely the best EQ Eight alternative you'll find.
MEqualizer is also less clean than Ableton's EQ Eight, opting for an analog sound over a precise digital one.
2. TDR Nova
Compatibility: Win, Mac, VST, AU, AAX, 32-bit (Win only), 64-bit
TDR Nova is a free parametric EQ, by Tokyo Dawn Records. It works as a parametric EQ, dynamic EQ or multiband compression.
The free version offers 4 bands, 2 low & high-pass filters, with 4 slope settings for harsher or more transparent filtering.
When compared to EQ Eight, TDR Nova doesn't offer as many bands to use and therefore will be slightly less accurate than EQ Eight is. To get around this, you can always open 2-3 instances of TDR Nova, but this can get a little clunky.
One benefit of TDR Nova's free version is that it comes with options like dynamic EQ and multi-band compression, whereas Ableton's EQ Eight doesn't.
If you want more precision and more bands to work with, TDR offers a paid version of the Nova EQ, called the TDR Nova Gentleman's edition. This comes with 2 extra EQ bands, along with some more useful features like multi-band compression.
3. ReaPlugs ReaEQ
Compatibility: Win, VST, 32-bit, 64-bit
ReaEQ is part of a free package that includes VST effects & instruments from Reaper.
It's a free parametric EQ that has 5 bands, 6 different filter types and includes a graphical interface that helps you pinpoint problematic frequency areas.
When compared to EQ Eight, and something like TDR Nova, ReaPlugs has a really old-looking, stripped back interface, but is incredibly precise for a free parametric EQ. It has more bands than the free option of TDR Nova, but doesn't include the dynamic EQ capabilities or compression. And, when compared to EQ Eight, it's less precise.
However, if you need a low-latency mixing EQ that offers a larger range of different filter types than any other free EQ – then ReaPlugs is a great choice.
You also get a load of other plugins which are very useful! We personally use ReaPlugs to record OBS video and audio with no latency.
4. Blue Cat Triple EQ
Compatibility: Win, Mac, AU, AAX, VST, 64-bit
Bluecat's Triple EQ is a free EQ alternative to EQ Eight. It's a semi-parametric EQ, that includes 3 bands, with 2 boost & cut filters, as well as a low-shelf and a high-shelf filter.
The 3 filters are linked together, meaning that when you move one, the others will move with it, allowing for very quick filtering control, which is what makes it a semi-parametric EQ. This feature is both a blessing and a curse, because it allows for quick filtering, but lacks precision.
When compared to EQ Eight, Triple EQ isn't on the same level for mixing. Ableton's EQ Eight has 8 EQ bands, whereas Triple EQ only has 3, and it's not fully parametric.
Triple EQ is, however, a great creative tool to use for filtering on synths, and in your sound design sessions.
Triple EQ also offers a dual-channel mode, with independent mid/side EQ. These channels can be linked together, to let you transform Triple EQ into a frequency-dependent panner, as well as much more.
And, on top of that, it can also be controlled with MIDI in real-time (which is great to link up with a controller for expressive synth sections).
Should I Upgrade Ableton for EQ Eight?
If you like Ableton as a DAW, then you should upgrade. While it's not worthwhile upgrading just for EQ Eight, there are an incredible amount of extra VSTs and effects included with Standard & Suite, that will help take your productions to the next level.
If you only want an EQ plugin, we wouldn't recommend upgrading your Ableton version. Just get a free EQ plugin you like and go from there! However, if you're looking for a package of effects and VST plugins, then it's the best way to get the most out of your DAW and is the most cost-effective option.
While you could argue that you could just purchase a 3rd party EQ plugin, something like FabFilter Pro Q3 costs upwards of $100. With an Ableton upgrade, you get EQ Eight and a load more.
When deciding on this, check this list to compare Ableton's editions.
How Do I Install EQ Eight in Ableton?
To install EQ Eight in Ableton, make sure you purchase either the Standard or Suite edition. Then simply download and install Ableton on your computer. Follow the setup wizard, and EQ Eight will be installed in Ableton.
1. Purchase A Standard or Suite License of Ableton
Head to Ableton.com and purchase a license of Ableton.
Make sure that the license is Standard or Suite. You will not get EQ Eight with Lite or Intro.
2. Go To Your Ableton Account & Download The Installer
Head to “Account” at the top right of your browser window and click it.
Then, you'll open up your licenses page, where you'll see something similar to the image above.
Choose your license and operating system. Then click download.
3. Run The dmg or exe File & Install Your Copy
Run the .exe or dmg file and install Ableton. During this installation process, Ableton will install all the factory VSTs and VSTi's. During this process, EQ Eight will be installed on your system.
With over 8 years of hands-on experience in the music industry, Harry has run successful raves, played alongside industry heavyweights such as Max Chapman, DJ EZ, DJ Zinc and more (pictured below), had music played on national radio, DJ'd on live radio, produced until he hated every song, mixed until his ears bled, created sample packs from scratch using just a Zoom H1n and some sound design skills… and pretty much anything related to music production – he's done it, tested it, tried it.
