WayQ is a fast, deceptively simple, two mode filter that is intuitively easy to understand immediately and versatile enough to cover many variations faster and with lower CPU than using a full blast multiband parametric. Fantastic for live use and versatile enough to be the first choice for studio work in many instances where a full multiband is overkill.
The two modes are 1) HP/BP/LP and 2) an adjustable-pivot Baxandall with a bandpass. The first is a staple first-pass EQ familiar to anyone who has ever adjusted a Q. The Baxandall brings some unique tone-shaping possibilities to the table and is wonderful for automation and live work that expands the tone palette beyond the usual band/hp/lp sweeps.
The HP/BP/LP is pretty standard: HP and LP use a single slider to adjust cutoff along the horizontal plan and steepness (with its attendant bumps at steeper settings), and a standard freq/gain/Q single BP for further shaping.
The Baxandall is essentially two tilt filters (bass and treble) with an added bandpass for nuance again. These were the defining tone controls for zillions of 60s home stereo consoles. The defining feature of the bass and treble is how they interact: when you raise the treble the bass gets reduced and vice versa. this has the effect of creating a phantom midrange control that makes the filter cover some ground the pass filter mode cannot. For example, setting both bass and treble low creates a midrange bump, the width and frequency of which can be set with the frequency of the tilt filters' center point. Set the centers near each other for a narrow bump and apart for a broad mid shelf. Conversely, turning both up creates the “smile” pattern, with the same control over the midrange, just as a dip instead of a bump. Subtle top end air or shelf-type bass and treble boosts and cuts are easy, and the BP is still available to rein in or accentuate within the Baxandall.
The Baxandall is my dream adaption of my favorite guitar amp tone stack, the early 70s Ampeg VT-40, which had a fixed frequency Baxandall tone stack with a separate 3-position midrange preamp that made this a secret weapon of many classics from the era (think exile era Stones, Steely Dan lead guitars, QOS, the list is long). I have just loosed it from its fixed settings by making all the center frequencies adjustable with the “yin” and “yang” controls.
I hope you enjoy! This same filter can be found in my forthcoming RhythmEcho self-modulating delay. If you like WayQ you will love RhythmEcho. Hell, even if you don't like WayQ, check out RhythmEcho!