This week we have an extra Friday Free Plug-in, on a Monday! We are featuring W34EQ MK2 From HoRNet, which is free until April 3rd.
What Is SW34EQ MK2
The HoRNet SW34EQ MK2 is an equaliser coming straight from the 80s. It’s the digital version of the EQ found in an American console and it features the typical analogue EQ sound and controls.
This plugin is specifically modelled after one channel of this console used in the main room of Virus Studio, in Siena, Italy. This EQ is very smooth and gentle, both in the EQ shapes (bells and shelves) and it’s ideal for general tone shaping, especially the low shelf gives weight to the sound without pumping it too much.
You also get a high-pass filter with an 18dB/oct slope that can be activated even if the rest of the EQ is not.
The SW34EQ MK2 does not just model the EQ curves but also the saturation characteristics of the original device, it models the saturation of every single band. In an 80s console, there are op-amps everywhere in the signal path and the saturation mainly produces even harmonics, but as you crank the gain a lot of odd harmonics jump out. Of course, the hiss is modelled too and the whole emulation can be deactivated.
How Do I Get This Plug-in?
Go to the HoRNet Website and buy a copy of SW34EQ MK2, apply the code SW34EQMK2FREE to discount your purchase to zero cost. Sign up for a free account or log in if you already have one. Log into your account to download the installer. This plug-in doesn't require an iLok or any authorisation.
When we tried the website was clearly very busy and the site’s DDOS protection was active meaning it took a minute or so to access the site and once there the site was running very slowly. if you have the same experience keep trying as the plugin is there once you get through.
Installing SW34EQ MK2
SW34EQ MK2 is available for macOS and Windows, as an AAX, VST and AU plugin. The plugins (AAX, VST, AU) need to be manually copied to the following locations:
Mac OS X Audio Unit:
Copy "HoRNetSW34EQMK2.component" to Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/Components
Mac OS X VST:
Copy "HoRNetSW34EQMK2.vst" to Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST
Mac OS X VST3
Copy "HoRNetSW34EQMK2.vst3" to Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST3
Mac OS X AAX
Copy "HoRNetSW34EQMK2.aaxplugin” to Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-ins/
Windows VST:
Copy "HoRNetSW34EQMK2.dll" to your VST folder, usually C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VstPlugIns
For 64bit hosts:
Copy "HoRNetSW34EQMK2_x64.dll" to your VST folder, usually C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VstPlugIns
Windows VST3:
Copy "HoRNetSW34EQMK2.vst3" to your VST3 folder, usually C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
For 64bit hosts:
Copy "HoRNetSW34EQMK2_x64.vst3" to your VST3 folder, usually C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
Windows AAX
Copy “HoRNetSW34EQMK2.aaxplugin” to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins