4020 Retro EQ HD v7 by McDSP EQ plugin interface

McDSP·EQFree trial

4020 Retro EQ HD v7: Four-Band Vintage-Style EQ by McDSP Free Download

4020 Retro EQ HD v7 is a four-band EQ plugin from McDSP with two shelving bands, two parametric bands and high-pass and low-pass filters. It is designed for a smooth, vintage-style sound without emulating another unit.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

The 4020 Retro EQ HD v7 is part of McDSP's Retro line of classic-style processors. Its high-frequency and low-frequency bands are shelving, and its mid bands are parametric, giving you four bands to shape tone. Each band uses a gain-dependent slope and Q system, which the developer says produces a smooth response and more selective boosts and cuts at high gain. The plugin also includes high-pass and low-pass filters, and it is available in mono and stereo versions.

Best for

Mix bus tone shaping
Vintage-style EQ
Vocal mixing
Drum bus tone
Mastering tonal balance

Developer: McDSP
Category: EQ
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Four-band EQ with two shelving and two parametric bands
Gain-dependent variable slope and Q system
Split-octave HPF and LPF with 12 to 24 dB per octave slopes
Output stage topology designed to eliminate digital clipping
Analog saturation modeling
Zero latency algorithms
Double precision processing
Optimized for Apple Silicon and Intel processors
Mono and stereo versions
High-definition updated user interface

03In depth

Sound and Filter Character

McDSP describes the 4020 Retro EQ as having a unique gain-dependent variable slope and Q system, intended to give a vintage, smooth sound. The high-pass and low-pass filters use a split-octave design, which the developer says gives a 12 dB per octave slope near the selected frequency and a maximum slope of 24 dB per octave.

The output stage uses a McDSP topology meant to eliminate digital clipping at any output level, along with analog saturation modeling. Together, these are presented as the basis for the plugin's transparent yet vintage character.

Controls and Workflow

The EQ has four bands: a shelving high band, a parametric high-mid band, a parametric low-mid band and a shelving low band. The shelving bands let you lift or cut broad regions at the top and bottom of the spectrum, while the parametric mid bands handle focused corrections and tonal shaping.

The plugin offers zero latency algorithms and double precision processing. It ships with new presets and an updated high-definition user interface. Two activations are included per license or subscription.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	McDSP
Type	Plugin
Category	EQ
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit
Free trial	Yes

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does the 4020 Retro EQ HD v7 support?

It is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats. McDSP's v7 release notes state that VST is no longer supported from v7.0 onward, so the VST2 listing applies only to earlier versions.

Which operating systems are supported?

It runs on Windows and macOS. The system requirements list Windows 7, 8 and 10 (64-bit only), and macOS 10.13 or higher (64-bit only), with support for macOS 12 Monterey and native Apple Silicon.

What do I need to use the 4020 Retro EQ HD v7?

The plugin requires an iLok2 or iLok3 USB Smart Key, or a free iLok License Manager account with iLok Cloud for authorization. Each v7 plugin contains two activations per authorization.

Which DAWs are compatible?

McDSP lists compatibility with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Nuendo, Ableton Live, LUNA, Reaper, Sonar, Studio One and other DAWs that support AAX, AU or VST3 formats.