Waves Linear Phase EQ

What Waves Linear Phase EQ Is For

Waves Linear Phase EQ is an equalization plugin designed for situations where phase coherence is essential. While a standard EQ introduces frequency delays that can create phase shifts, this type of equalizer allows you to work on tonal balance while preserving the signal's temporal alignment. The result: safer correction on a master, a bus (drums, guitars, vocals), or multi-mic recordings (drums, amp, piano), and better compatibility when combining multiple processing paths in parallel.

It is aimed both at mastering engineers and mixers who want to sculpt a source without shifting its image, without "digging into" the solidity of transients, and without adding unwanted character. It is a relevant choice whenever you seek transparent, precise, and reproducible equalization, especially for fine adjustments in low-mids, brightness, or sub control.

Main Features

Transparency Designed for Mastering

The linear-phase principle aims to avoid typical side effects of some EQs: phase shifts, loss of clarity, and a blurry sensation during significant corrections. Waves Linear Phase EQ stands out with a neutral sound and the ability to handle crucial equalizations without giving the impression of "moving" the mix. For comfortable monitoring, you can choose a display range of 12 dB to detail your settings, or 30 dB to keep an overview of broader interventions.

Two Approaches: Broadband and Lowband

The Broadband version covers the audio spectrum from 22 Hz to 18 kHz. It combines a dedicated low-spectrum section and 5 parametric EQ bands to handle both global corrections and targeted tweaks on a bus or master.

The Lowband component is optimized for bass, with 3 parametric bands designed for fine adjustments between 11 Hz and 602 Hz. Its precision step goes down to a resolution of 11 Hz, which helps to pinpoint exactly the sub, warmth, or resonance area to control without overcorrecting the rest of the low spectrum.

Curves and Filter Shapes to Sculpt Your Response

Each band allows you to choose the most suitable shape: low shelf, low pass, high shelf, high pass, as well as a variable-width bell. To refine the musical behavior of slopes, the bands offer slope characteristics selectable as "analog" or "digital", favoring either a softer or stricter response depending on the context (cleaning, sculpting, corrective correction).

Bass Surgery: Control, Impact, and Clarity

The Lowband module is particularly useful for maintaining a sense of fullness and foundation in the low end while correcting excesses. Thanks to its design and Q factor, it facilitates clean interventions on delicate areas (overbearing sub, thick low-mids, resonances), with 5 filter types available on the bass bands: low cut, low shelf, bell, high shelf, and high cut.

Processing Power and Controlled Extreme Settings

For situations where correction must be assumed, each band allows up to plus or minus 30 dB of gain, an amplitude higher than many EQs. The plugin also offers 2 special modes dedicated to extreme settings, useful when you need to go beyond finishing equalization while maintaining high curve precision.

Technical specifications

Type

Full software

Downloadable

Yes

Mac	macOS Catalina 10.15, Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14	Broadband component	coverage from 22 Hz to 18 kHz
Windows	Windows 10 (64 bit), Windows 11	Display options	12 dB (detailed) or 30 dB (wide view)
Memory	8 GB RAM	Lowband	3 parametric bands from 11 Hz to 602 Hz with 11 Hz precision
Disk Space	16 GB	Additional Media	yes