UAD NSEQ-2 vs Maag EQ4 and a couple of others shootout for mastering

[gearshoot]

Hey all,

We just did a shootout review of a couple of the UAD EQs people use for in the box mastering (NSEQ-2 and Maag EQ4) vs the Fabfilter Pro-Q2, TDR Slick EQM and Kush Hammer.
See what you think and how they stack up.
Well impressed with the smoothness of the NSEQ-2, and the Maag as expected is pretty special in the High end.

Digital EQs for Mastering Review - Part 1 | Gearshoot

 

[Geir]

I love shootouts. But this shootout has issues with pops and clicks.

I cant listen to the clips due to the pops. It might be issues in the script from the live stream player.
But it pops and clicks both in safari, firefox and explorer.

 

[gearshoot]

Have you considered that it might a problem with your computer. . .
E.g. have you tried a different computer or you phone?
It's been pretty extensively tested, and this is the very first report we've had of clicks and pops in the playback.
[So a sample size of one generally indicates that an error is occurring at the end stage rather than source (which is a bit out of our control sadly)].

Fingers crossed you can work it out

 

[Geir]

Tried my daw, phone, tablet, surf computer, both mac and windows. And also my HT computer. Also different firewalls and different internet connections. And yes it pops and clicks on all off them. And that is also alot off different versions off software.

So far, im shure there is something on your end that could be updated or improved.

 

[Geir]

Besides random clicks. As an example all the samples of shootout 1. Has a clear pop in the end where he sings curage. It throws the whole mix out of balance. I belive that pop is in the original master.

 

[gearshoot]

Tried my daw, phone, tablet, surf computer, both mac and windows. And also my HT computer. Also different firewalls and different internet connections. And yes it pops and clicks on all off them. And that is also alot off different versions off software.
So far, im shure there is something on your end that could be updated or improved.

Of course! There is always something that can be updated and improved.
It's a constant evolution, between the coding and how individual users set up their system.
We try our best, but can't account for everyone's set up without a host of elves who can teleport to their houses to help
We have had a large group of people check out the player since your post reporting problem you are having, and so far no one yet has been able to recreate the fault you are experiencing, so until we can get more than one report of problems we're a bit in limbo on this trouble shooting this for you sadly.
Our web guy (smart ass type) recommended not using IE or Safari to browse, not just our site, but the entire internet... as to quote him 'They are browsers for Nanas and Granddads'. Please note - this is not necessarily the opinion of Gearshoot or anyone else at Gearshoot (although it also may be

That being said, there is definitely the recognised artefact that can occur at the end of a loop on its return in certain (but not all) cases.
However, in the spirit of things, if a single pop on a loop return throws you that much that you find the players and system unuseable to determine similarities and differences in audio gear this shootout site probably isn't for you, which we totally respect, and I apologise that it didn't work out for you. Fingers crossed in the future this issue will evaporate for you on a future attempt and version of the site and you can use it with success

 

[Geir]

Lol Well Im happy to be nana and Granddad. But After Netscape, I have always sticked to mozilla and opera. Just using what ever else and codecks to see if it is script or ping pong buffer under run.

This is how it streams out at my place
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gkpv18r8azdf97w/Shootout Cracle.wav?dl=0

And when ever I hear the sound of someone bumping the mic or mic stand I will by instinct look out in the recording room. So yes that pop in the first clip is annoying

But seriously, im having issues getting a good buffer from your web server.

 

[gearshoot]

Definitely having a look into it as get time.
I use Mozilla by preference so feel you on that.
IE is less than 1% of our users (and being Microsoft doubtless has some weird witchcraft in its construction that other more saintly browsers steer clear of), (Chrome about 50%) and then Firefox and Safari being the rest.
Thanks heaps for the effort into trouble shooting your side, really find this stuff helpful [and good you have a sense of humour too, thanks ]
I'm forwarding you audio onto web dude for appraisal. [can you let me know what browser this was in? (please don't say IE ]
S3 (the server we use) seems to stream really well - we are based at the arse end of the world where many people are still stuck with low bandwidths that would make most people in the developed world choke/laugh out loud in shock compared to what they are used to. So my guess is it isn't the server side of things.
Will update pronto if can work out anything.
Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Geir]

That was firefox. Im getting the same in all off the web browsers. And im getting a bit geeky and feel unik, that I might be the only one having issues

And IE, god no! I had to undo my hack in registry to reinstall the IE. Hack is back and no more IE here

Im gonna look more in to it too. It might just be an issue localy at my end. But running my own web page and doing both audio and video. Most of my software is up to date. Im gonna post back if I get it up and running

 

[Johnnyh64]

Just wanted to add that I also get clicks and pops on my iPad Pro running Safari. It's not horrible or completely disruptive but it's definitely there. With that said, I truly appreciate these shootouts as it's incredibly helpful. I also value your written opinions/analysis as an additional measure to weigh against.