The Royal Q is a dual-channel 4-band equalizer featuring parametric and shelving EQ, mid/side processing, and trim controls. The Royal Q equalization is complimented by a custom analog section for a truly unique hybrid processor. The Royal Q offers independent (or linked) control of the left/right (or mid/side) channels.
Features
Double precision equalization calibrated to an all analog output stage
Parametric and Shelving equalization modes
Dual channel operation and mid/side processing option
Sample accurate automation of analog processing
Included with APB hardware purchase
Formats
AAX Native, AU, VST3
Equalization
The full featured parametric and shelving EQ modes of the Royal Q are calibrated with a custom analog output stage for unprecedented hybrid processing. Equalization boosts and cuts interact with the analog output to deliver a wide range of responses and a unique sound. Deep lows. Shining highs. You get the idea.
Mid/Side Mojo
Both the Royal Mu and Royal Q offer exceptional mid/side processing using unique hybrid processing techniques. Sample accurate control and self-calibrating analog circuitry insure exacting mid/side encoding and decoding.
Analog Saturation
Like all APB plug-ins, the Royal Q custom saturation circuit is perfectly calibrated with the A/D conversion. When using the Royal Q equalizer, any signal peaks over 0 dB are processed by real analog saturation circuits. These saturation circuits output levels are then matched to the A/D conversion, preventing any digital clipping.
Q
Selected bandwidth of equalizer curve. The higher the Q setting, the narrower the bandwidth of the equalizer response. For shelving EQ, a higher Q setting corresponds to a steeper shelf slope.
Mid-Side
Enable mid/side processing, using the left channel as the mid channel (left + right), and the right channel as the side channel (left - right).
Frequency
Selected frequency ’peak’ of equalizer curve.
Gain
Signal level adjustment at selected equalizer frequency.
Trim
Signal level adjustment post equalization.
Curve Type
Enable low shelf or high shelf equalization instead of parametric equalization.
An important aspect of any APB plug-in is that the plug-in is primarily a controller. The APB plug-in takes the input audio signal, combines it with a control signal, and sends both along a Thunderbolt connection to an APB unit for processing. The control signal sets up the analog components to do the selected algorithm with all the parameter values, and the audio signal is converted to the analog domain. The analog version of the audio signal is processed in the analog domain, and then converted back to the digital domain.
By operating the APB hardware from an APB plug-in in this way, all user controllable parameters are recallable and can be saved as presets. Furthermore, because the control signal is married to the input audio signal, parameters can be updating during playback with sample accurate automation.
Sound Examples
Drums 1
Drums 2
Piano 1
Piano 2
Pop Mix
Synth Bass
Vocal 1
Vocal 2
“Words cannot express how much I love the APB.”
Greg Wells
Grammy-winning producer, mixer, and songwriter
"Of particular note in the Royal Q is the upper band, which offers frequency settings that go right up to 25kHz. That, of course, is outside the range of human hearing, but the effects of a wide‑band boost centered on 25kHz certainly aren’t, and they sound glorious on the right material."
"Of particular note in the Royal Q is the upper band, which offers frequency settings that go right up to 25kHz. That, of course, is outside the range of human hearing, but the effects of a wide‑band boost centered on 25kHz certainly aren’t, and they sound glorious on the right material."
"The Royal Q can also saturate in the analog domain before being passed to the output Trim control; as with all APB plug-ins, the saturation will never cause the signal going back to the computer to digitally clip, so drive these babies into the red!"
"The Royal Q can also saturate in the analog domain before being passed to the output Trim control; as with all APB plug-ins, the saturation will never cause the signal going back to the computer to digitally clip, so drive these babies into the red!"
