FabFilter Pro-Q 4 EQ plug-in: features and spec-based rating

FabFilter’s Pro-Q 4 is an EQ with up to 24 bands that combines dynamic EQ (an EQ that works only when the sound gets loud), spectral dynamics (processing that reduces only the parts that stick out, pitch by pitch), a choice of linear phase, zero latency and Natural Phase, EQ matching and more in one plug-in.

An EQ (equalizer) adjusts the amount of low and high frequencies in a sound. You use it to clear up a muddy voice or reduce sounds that hurt the ears.

In this article we compare Pro-Q 4 with 15 EQ plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.

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Image: from the FabFilter official press kit

Summary

Among the 15 EQ plug-ins, Pro-Q 4 is rank S. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and S is the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 4.5.

Strengths

• Handling problem bands (5 points): it has features that target problem sounds, so it is easy to fix them precisely.
• Speed (4 points): it has features that help you decide settings quickly, so it is easy to start even if you are new to EQ.
• Stereo processing (4 points): you can adjust the center vocal and the backing track spread to the sides separately.

Who it suits: people who want one EQ that handles everything from mixing and mastering to fixing problem bands.

Main features of Pro-Q 4

Spectral dynamics reduce only the sounds that bother you

A new feature in Pro-Q 4 that reacts to, and reduces, only the fine pitches inside a chosen band that go over a chosen level. An ordinary dynamic EQ lowers the volume of the whole band, but this does not touch the other sounds inside the range. It is useful when you want to reduce a problem that comes and goes, such as the harsh ring that appears for an instant when a singer belts, while keeping the brightness of the whole voice. Of the 15 EQs we compared, only Pro-Q 4 has this mechanism.

Dynamic EQ on every band

Any of the up to 24 bands can be switched to a “dynamic EQ” that works only when the sound gets loud. You can also adjust how quickly it starts and returns (attack and release), and trigger it from another track. For example, you can lower the same range of the backing track only while the vocal is present.

EQ Sketch: just draw a curve to get started

Draw the EQ curve you have in mind on screen in one stroke, and bands that match it are created together. You can do the first rough work, such as cutting lows, lowering mids a little or lifting highs, without adding bands one by one. It lets people who are not used to detailed EQ operation start from the shape.

EQ Match, and Spectrum Grab for grabbing a peak and fixing it

EQ Match reads the frequency balance of another track or an imported sound and automatically builds a curve that moves yours closer to it. Spectrum Grab lets you grab a peak of the sound on the analyzer display and move it up or down to adjust that sound. It makes the worry “I don’t know what to move” easier to solve by eye.

Three processing methods, and an Instance List that controls every EQ from one screen

You can choose among zero latency (no delay), linear phase (no timing shift) and FabFilter’s own Natural Phase. Use the no-delay method while recording and the sound-quality-first method at the finishing stage. The Instance List lets you list and control the other Pro-Q 4s (and FabFilter products such as Pro-C 3) used in a song from one screen, so settings are easy to move between even in a song with many tracks.

Video: “Introduction to FabFilter Pro-Q 4” (official FabFilter YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube

Where it is useful

• Cutting the muddy lows of a vocal and reducing the harsh ring that appears only when the singer belts
• Lowering the same range of the backing track only while the vocal is present, so the voice is easier to hear
• Reading the balance of a reference song to use as a guide for finishing your own mix

Rating by criterion

Handling problem bands: 5 / 5

We check whether you can target and fix only the sounds that bother you, such as boominess or harshness.

Dynamic EQ works on every band, and there is also spectral dynamics, which reacts only to specific frequencies inside a band.

Speed: 4 / 5

We check whether it has features that get you to a good setting quickly, such as automatic settings and a function that matches a reference sound.

It has EQ Match (a function that automatically builds an EQ that moves your sound closer to a reference), Spectrum Grab, which adjusts by grabbing a peak in the analyzer, and a function that finds overlap between tracks. It has no AI automatic setting.

Stereo processing: 4 / 5

We check whether you can adjust the center sound (such as the vocal) and the sound spread to the sides separately.

It supports per-band Mid/Side (a method that separates the center and the sides) processing and surround up to Dolby Atmos.

How we score (EQ plug-ins)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Handling problem bands	The power to target and reduce boomy or harsh sounds	Dynamic EQ, plus processing that reacts only to specific frequencies inside a band	Dynamic EQ (works only when the sound gets loud), or separate processing of the attack and the sustained sound	A static EQ with many bands, or with a choice of processing quality such as linear phase	A static EQ with few bands	—
Speed	Features that help you decide settings quickly	AI balances the sound automatically and can also reduce overlap between tracks	Automatic EQ settings or EQ match, plus other aids	One aid, such as EQ match	Analyzer (a visual display of the sound) only	No aids listed
Stereo processing	Whether the center and the sides can be processed separately	Supports M/S, separate left/right and surround	Supports M/S plus either separate left/right or surround	M/S only	—	Not mentioned on the official page

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: balancing the sound of vocals and backing tracks in a mix. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Handling problem bands" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.

Trade-magazine review (for reference, not part of the score)

We summarized the main points from a review in an overseas music-production magazine.

Sound On Sound (February 2025)

• Praised the spectral processing for effectively reducing harsh bands and resonances
• Praised the dynamic EQ as having wider uses than before
• Concluded that an already powerful, easy-to-use EQ has advanced greatly in version 4

Source: Sound On Sound review

Pro-Q 4 system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Windows (11, 10 and others) / Mac (macOS 10.13 or later, Apple silicon and Intel)
Plug-in formats	VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, AAX (Pro Tools)
Other	An iPad version is also available (App Store)
Trial	30-day trial available
OBS (streaming)	Works as it is (VST2 is listed)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026. How to use plug-ins in the OBS streaming software is explained in How to use VST3 plug-ins in OBS.

Compared with other EQ plug-ins

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Read next

• smart:EQ 4: features and rating (rank A)
• MEqualizer: features and rating (rank B)
• MAutoEqualizer: features and rating (rank A)
• SplitEQ: features and rating (rank A)