Sonnox Oxford EQ GML Option or MDW Hi-Res Parametric EQ

[Keith Moore]

Is the Sonnox option really worth it is you already have the MDW?

[JFreak]

As far as I have demoed them, I'd rather buy the Sonnox option. Three reasons in reverse order of importance:
- It's simpler to manage, no MDW install, simply different sonnox installer
- It's easier to use having already used to use the Sonnox anyway
- It sounds better.

[Rubicon]

Hi Keith!

I used to use both those plugs all the time. I have a good three years of mixes with Oxford on every channel and MDW's on the busses. I hate to say it but these days I get much more musical sounding eq's with waves SSL. To me the Oxford and MDW are too sterile sounding compared with the analog emulation of the SSL.

To answer your question, MDW has always had upgrade issues with PT. Every time PT is updated, it seems MDW wants money, and waits a long time before it is compatible. I think you get more Oxfords on a chip than MDW's, so that may be a concern.

I never thought I would say this.... but demo some of the waves stuff... Hah! Again this is only my personal opinion. All I do is music for tv/film, so I have to eq fast and furiously. Hehe!

Rubicon

[EvilElfBoy]

I personally like the MDW better then that oxford for 2 reasons. It's a bit easier to use, the sonnox is a bit more odd in functionality.

The other thing is the I love the solo band feature for really surgical eqing.

If I had to pick one it would be the MDW, and I have both.

And I will agree with the previous poster, the new waves "modeled" plugs are the best out there. I own studio classics collection and JJP. They are the go to plugs for every mix that I do now. Very Impressive stuff!

Hope this helps.

[Evil Jack]

MDW has had a fair number of issues (bugs), but for surgical/ freq notching it is unsurpassed.
Also agree with above regarding Waves modelled eqs. The JJP pultecs are absolutely amazing - but obviously not the best for surgery

[ryan de topanga]

I vote for MDW. It's worth it (and I've never had upgrade issues with the TDM version). I've got both, but the MDW is far more open and transparent to my ears.

[roberts]

I sold my MDW since I discovered Epure II.
The cost of the GML option from Sononx is out of control...
You can buy Epure II (on ebay) for less than cost of the Sonnox GML option.
Epure is by far the best EQ you will ever hear in Protools

[Keith Moore]

Originally Posted by roberts

Epure is by far the best EQ you will ever hear in Protools

Am I on crack? I have Epure II and it doesn't seem to do it for me. Am I missing something? Can you advise me on which applications it works best on.

Thanks,

Keith

[minister]

Originally Posted by Evil Jack

MDW has had a fair number of issues (bugs), but for surgical/ freq notching it is unsurpassed.

2 things about this are curious to me.

1. I have run MDW since PT 6 and now in 7.3.1 (Still in Tiger) and have never experienced any bugs. Yes, I read the bug reports here on the DUC and believe people, but I never experienced them in my setup.
2. While I adore the solo band for finding things, don't let the "25.6" fool you, it is not a true notch. Oxford Type 2 is a tighter notch, The DIGI EQ III has a tighter notch, the unfortunately named Uniquelizer has a tighter notch. For notching I use things other than MDW.

I have both the Oxford EQ w/GML option and MDW. They are different. The GML option was patterned after the 8200 and to my ear sounds different than the MDW.

The MDW is "softer" and you have to push it farther (EQ laws being different) but I like the sound of it on Dialogue and on some things that need a more "transparent" EQ. It is my go to EQ for DIA film mixing.

The GML option has a little more sound to it, a little more "grain" especially when adding gain. I am in the habit of mixing this TV show with GML option and can get good results very quickly. I have stopped using the other types of Oxford EQ and I don't care for them.

For music I have been really happy with GML Option, but it is not magic on everything. On Bass, the URS stuff is more musical.

my 2¢.

[Stiff]

Originally Posted by Keith Moore

Am I on crack? I have Epure II and it doesn't seem to do it for me. Am I missing something? Can you advise me on which applications it works best on.

Thanks,

Keith

Epure behaves different than other EQ's. I think it's most notable when boosting. For some reason it's always been my favorite cutting EQ. Maybe it's just not for you?