Digital audio software linear-phase equalizers do not alter the phase of the input signal. And in contrast to linear-phase equalizers you've minimum-phase parametric EQs that act by introducing phase shift whilst processing.
What's important to remember here is that if you need an ultra-clean non-colored sound your best bet is with a linear-phase equalizer. For instance, if you are doing parallelling processing (i.e., mixing dry and wet sounds) you may want to use one so that you minimize phase issues.
But if you need a little bit of color in your music then try a minimum-phase parametric EQ. Furthermore, if you want to preserve the impact of transients without losing punch then don't use linear-phase EQs because they have this effect called pre-ringing which may soften the attack of transients.
N.B., linear-phase EQs will introduce audio latency and that can be annoying when mixing music. But some linear-phase EQs operate in different modes which let you choose the processing accuracy which correlates to the amount of audio latency too. The higher the accuracy the more latency.
One of the main things to worry about especially when working in the digital domain is to avoid audio software plug-ins that have uncramped high-frequency bells (or peaking curves) and also hardware emulations that add noise, and harmonics (or saturation) unless that's the desired sound you are going for.
What's important to remember here is that if you need an ultra-clean non-colored sound your best bet is with a linear-phase equalizer. For instance, if you are doing parallelling processing (i.e., mixing dry and wet sounds) you may want to use one so that you minimize phase issues.
But if you need a little bit of color in your music then try a minimum-phase parametric EQ. Furthermore, if you want to preserve the impact of transients without losing punch then don't use linear-phase EQs because they have this effect called pre-ringing which may soften the attack of transients.
N.B., linear-phase EQs will introduce audio latency and that can be annoying when mixing music. But some linear-phase EQs operate in different modes which let you choose the processing accuracy which correlates to the amount of audio latency too. The higher the accuracy the more latency.
Are linear-phase equalizers better for audio mastering?
The reality is that linear-phase equalizers aren't "mastering grade" audio processors they are just tools with a different approach to equalization.One of the main things to worry about especially when working in the digital domain is to avoid audio software plug-ins that have uncramped high-frequency bells (or peaking curves) and also hardware emulations that add noise, and harmonics (or saturation) unless that's the desired sound you are going for.
