Plugin comparison
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
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Contenders
Dangerous Music BAX EQ by Plugin Alliance / Dangerous Music. Broad Baxandall shelving for mastering-style tone shifts. Simple, musical, and built for big-picture EQ moves.
Softube Reference 1998 Equalizer models a passive tube EQ with four parallel bands and a tube stage for warm, saturated color on mix buses and masters.
Score verdict
On the Dubspot Score, Softube Reference 1998 Equalizer comes out ahead (8.6). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
| Signal | Dangerous Music BAX EQ | Softube Reference 1998 Equalizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $99 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.3 | 8.6 |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX | VST, VST3, AU (Mac only), AAX |
| Type | Baxandall mastering EQ | Modeled passive tube equalizer |
| Use | Broad low/high tone shaping | — |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX | — |
| Developer | Dangerous Music via Plugin Alliance | — |
| Bands | — | Four passive, parallel EQ bands with tube stage |
| Sibling | — | Reference 1956, minimum-phase passive design with Mid/Side |
| Integration | — | Console 1 ready, loads into Softube Equalizers for up to 20 bands |
| OS requirements | — | macOS 14/15/26, Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| Authorization | — | Softube account and iLok account |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.