FabFilter Pro-Q 4 vs TDR Nova
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.
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FabFilter Pro-Q 4 and free TDR Nova both do dynamic EQ, which makes the comparison inevitable. One is a premium workflow king; the other is a free parallel dynamic equalizer that covers surprising ground.
The key difference
Pro-Q 4 is the modern EQ standard: unmatched interface, spectrum tools, dynamic bands, and mix/master polish. Nova is a free parallel dynamic EQ that can act as parametric EQ, dynamic EQ, and multiband/wideband compression. Pro-Q buys speed and refinement; Nova buys capability at $0.
Choose Pro-Q 4 if EQ is central to your craft and you want the fastest, most refined dynamic EQ workflow available.
Choose free TDR Nova if you need serious dynamic EQ and multiband control without spending, or as a permanent secondary EQ.
Which should you buy?
Pro-Q 4 remains the EQ to beat if you mix daily and value workflow. Nova is mandatory freeware — install it even if you own Pro-Q. For many home studios, Nova alone covers a huge percentage of dynamic EQ needs until budget opens for FabFilter.
Specs compared
| FabFilter Pro-Q 4 | TDR Nova | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | Free |
| Dubspot Score | 9.3 | 8.6 |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, AAX Native, AudioSuite | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX |
| EQ bands | Up to 24 bands | — |
| Filter shapes | Bell, Notch, High/Low Shelf, High/Low Cut, Band Pass, Tilt Shelf, Flat Tilt, All Pass | — |
| Filter slope | Up to 96 dB/octave, plus Brickwall option for LP/HP | — |
| Processing modes | Zero latency, Natural Phase, Linear Phase, plus Gentle/Warm character modes | — |
| Dynamic processing | Dynamic EQ and spectral dynamics with adjustable attack/release | — |
| Channel modes | Mid/side and left/right; surround up to Dolby Atmos 9.1.6 | — |
| Type | — | Parallel dynamic equalizer |
| Version | — | 2.2.2 |
| Bands | — | 4 dynamic EQ bands + high-pass and low-pass sections |
| Use cases | — | Parametric EQ, dynamic EQ, frequency-selective / multiband / wideband compression |
| Formats | — | VST2, VST3, AAX (Win 64-bit); VST2, VST3, AU, AAX (Mac 64-bit) |
| System | — | Windows 7+; macOS 10.9+; OpenGL support |
| Paid upgrade | — | TDR Nova GE (Gentleman's Edition) adds bands and dynamics modes |
FabFilter Pro-Q 4 vs TDR Nova: FAQ
Can TDR Nova replace Pro-Q 4?
For many dynamic EQ and multiband tasks, Nova is surprisingly capable. Pro-Q 4 still wins on workflow, visualization, and overall mix EQ ergonomics.
Is TDR Nova free?
Yes. The standard edition is free; a paid Gentleman’s Edition adds more bands and advanced dynamics features.
Which should beginners install first?
Nova first — free and powerful. Graduate to Pro-Q 4 when interface speed and professional EQ workflow become a daily bottleneck.
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.