An AI-assisted equalizer that balances tracks using a smart:filter, enables spectral mixing across tracks, offers genre-based Mix Profiles, custom reference profiles, and dynamic EQ bands for fast, intelligent frequency control.
Purpose and Core Concept
smart:EQ 4 is an intelligent equalizer from sonible designed to speed up mixing workflows. Its centerpiece is the smart:filter, which analyzes the incoming audio and applies spectral balancing to match a target profile, such as a specific instrument or a complete mix.
The plugin goes beyond single-track processing by allowing cross-channel interaction. Multiple instances can be grouped together for spectral mixing, where the smart:filter reduces masking between tracks while preserving their individual character. This makes it a practical tool for achieving clarity in dense arrangements.
Key Capabilities and Modes
The smart:filter can operate in three selectable modes: ‘Track’ to balance the current channel, ‘Group’ to reduce masking without affecting the channel itself, and ‘Track and Group’ to combine both balance and unmasking. A Smoothing parameter offers gentler filtering behavior.
Profiles can be chosen from a wide range for instruments, speech, or entire mixes by genre. Additionally, users can create custom profiles from reference tracks, allowing emulation of the character and balance of a complete song or a single instrument.
Workflow and Remote Control
A notable workflow feature is remote control: from any instance within a group, you can view and adjust parameters of other instances. The Group View displays two EQ curves for on-screen editing, and profiles can be selected and analyzed across all instances.
This hierarchical control simplifies managing up to ten tracks in a group for unmasking. The Track View focuses on the current instance while still allowing access to group settings. This supports both top-down mixing, starting from full mixes, and bottom-up mixing, working on individual elements.
Applications and Integration
In practical use, smart:EQ 4 fits into mixing sessions where speed and intelligent assistance are valuable. Producers can apply it to individual tracks or busses for quick tonal balancing, or use it across a group to clean up frequency clashes between instruments.
The dynamic EQ bands offer compressor-style controls, and an Auto Gain function compensates for level changes. With a custom learning time for the smart:filter, the plugin adapts to user preferences. A comprehensive M/S processing feature adds further versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of mixing tasks.
Key features
- Smart:Filter for spectral balance on tracks and busses
- Cross-channel unmasking and spectral mixing via drag-and-drop
- Group View for up to ten tracks with remote control
- Dynamic EQ bands with Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release
- Auto Gain and selectable processing modes
- Custom profiles from reference tracks
- Comprehensive mid/side processing
Best for
Audio producers and mixing engineers seeking AI-assisted equalization for quick spectral balancing, complex unmasking across multiple tracks, and dynamic EQ control in a single plugin—especially useful for ensuring clarity in dense mixes without manual frequency sculpting.