FabFilter Pro-Q (Mac/Win, $199)

There''s no shortage of high-quality EQ plug-ins out there, but when EM reviewer Michael Cooper, who is a mastering engineer, touts “sky-high sound quality and an ocean-deep feature set,” it''s time to take notice. FabFilter Pro-Q delivers 64-bit processing (virtually unlimited headroom) with a light CPU load. You get 24 EQ bands (bell, lowpass, highpass, low-shelf, or high-shelf) that you can assign to either or both channels in stereo (dual-mono) and mid/side modes. You can use Pro-Q as a zero-latency EQ or dial in one of four linear-phase alternatives to best suit your application. Other niceties include multiple undo/redo, A and B workspaces, and real-time spectrum analysis. Pro-Q delivers a pristine but decidedly analog sound, along with the precision that accompanies digital processing.