McDSP - AE400 Active EQ Native

The McDSP AE400 Active EQ is a four-band dynamic equaliser: each band can sit as a static EQ, move only when the signal crosses a threshold, or both. It's for engineers who want to fix problems that come and go, like boomy notes, harsh syllables or a guitar that gets spiky when it's played hard.

Fixed and active in every band

Each of the four fully overlapping bands has frequency, Q, fixed gain and active gain, plus threshold, ratio, attack and release for the dynamic part. A ratio control, unique to McDSP's active EQs, sets how quickly a band reaches full active gain. Bands can work independently or linked, and can be triggered by the input or a side chain. The threshold can also be inverted, so a band acts when the level falls instead of rises.

The sound

Clean and precise, with no obvious EQ character of its own. Use it to duck a few dB of low mids only when the bass player digs in, or to lift presence on a vocal only when it drops back. If you need more bands and EQ shapes, the AE600 is the bigger sibling.

Native or HD?

Native runs on your computer in AAX Native, AU and VST3, which is all most studios need. If you mix on Pro Tools HDX or an Avid VENUE S6L, AE400 Active EQ HD adds AAX DSP support.

Features

• Four fully overlapping fixed and active EQ bands
• Independent control of every active parameter per band
• Unique active EQ ratio control
• Inverted threshold option
• Side chain support
• Double precision processing, ultra low latency
• Mono and stereo versions

System requirements

• Version: 7.3
• Mac: macOS 10.13 High Sierra to macOS 26 Tahoe. AAX Native, AU and VST3. Native on Apple Silicon and Intel
• Windows: Windows 10 and 11. AAX Native and VST3
• RAM: not specified by McDSP
• Licence: iLok, on an iLok2 or iLok3 USB key, your computer or iLok Cloud (a free iLok account is needed). Two activations per licence

SOUND7 is an authorised McDSP reseller. Digital delivery: licence activation code sent by email.

Demo