The game just changed for mobile producers. FabFilter Pro-Q 4 - one of the most trusted EQ plugins in the industry, is now available on iOS, and it's bringing serious mixing and mastering capabilities to your iPad. If you've been grinding bedroom productions and waiting for a reason to take your workflow mobile, this is it.
Whether you're tweaking a mix between studio sessions, catching inspiration on the road, or building an entirely track on your iPad, Pro-Q 4 for iOS delivers the same professional-grade equalization that thousands of producers and engineers rely on daily. Let's break down what this means for your mobile production setup.
What's New: Pro-Q 4 Comes to iPad
FabFilter dropped the iOS version of Pro-Q 4 as an AUv3 plugin, which means full compatibility with major iOS DAWs and music apps. This isn't a stripped-down mobile version - it's the real deal, packed with all the tools that make Pro-Q 4 an industry standard.
The plugin runs natively in AUv3-compatible hosts, including Logic Pro, GarageBand, Cubasis, and AUM. That's flexibility. You're not locked into one app; you can use Pro-Q 4 across your entire iOS workflow, which is crucial for producers who want genuine multi-app integration.
What makes this release particularly exciting is that FabFilter included two of the most powerful workflow features from the desktop version: EQ Sketch and the Instance List. These aren't nice-to-haves—they're game-changers for mobile production efficiency.
The Features That Matter: What You Actually Get
Pro-Q 4 for iOS brings the full feature set you'd expect from a mastering-grade EQ plugin. Here's what's in the box:
Up to 24 Bands with Dynamic Control
You get up to 24 EQ bands with a massive range of filter types, from standard bell and shelf curves to notch filters, all-pass filters, and more. Each band supports dynamic EQ processing, meaning you can set attack and release times to make your EQ adjustments react naturally to the incoming audio signal. This is crucial for catching problematic frequencies without squashing your entire mix.
EQ Sketch: Draw Your Sound
One of the standout features is EQ Sketch, which lets you literally draw your desired EQ curve directly into the display. Instead of tweaking individual bands, you sketch the curve shape you want, and Pro-Q 4 converts that into filter bands. It's intuitive, fast, and perfect for mobile workflows where precision matters but speed counts.
Spectral Dynamics Processing
This is the secret weapon. Spectral Dynamics allows you to target problem frequencies with surgical precision without affecting the entire frequency band. Think of it as dynamic problem-solving, the EQ responds intelligently to frequency-specific issues in real-time. This feature was requested for years, and FabFilter delivered.
Instance List for Multi-Instance Control
Control all your Pro-Q 4 instances across your entire session from a single interface. On mobile, this is a lifesaver. You can view and navigate every instance, filter by channel, and make global adjustments without jumping between tracks. This speeds up your workflow dramatically.
Linear Phase, Analog Modeling, and Real-Time Analysis
The iOS version includes zero-latency, natural phase, and linear phase processing modes, so you can choose your balance between CPU efficiency and phase accuracy. The integrated spectrum analyzer gives real-time feedback on your adjustments, and there's even an EQ Match function to impose the tonal characteristics of one signal onto another.
Why This Matters for Your Mobile Production
Let's be real: mobile production isn't about replacing your main studio setup. It's about capturing moments when inspiration strikes and maintaining creative momentum when you're away from your desk.
Pro-Q 4 on iOS changes the equation. Instead of settling for a simplified EQ app, you're getting an industry-standard plugin that's trusted by professional mix engineers and mastering specialists. The quality is the same. The features are the same. The workflow is optimized for touch, but it's genuinely powerful.
Getting Started: How to Set Up Pro-Q 4 on Your iPad
The setup is straightforward. Pro-Q 4 is available on the App Store as an AUv3 plugin. You download it like any other app, and then it appears as a plugin option within your compatible DAW or music app.
Here's the workflow: Open your DAW (Logic Pro, Cubasis, etc.), create or open a track, add the Pro-Q 4 plugin as an effect, and you're mixing. The touch interface is designed for iPad interaction, so gestures, dragging, and tapping all feel natural.
Pro tip: Use the Instance List to keep track of your EQ settings across multiple tracks. Pin the instances you're tweaking most frequently to jump between them instantly. This keeps your session organized, especially on mobile where screen real estate is limited.
The Practical Edge: Where Pro-Q 4 for iOS Shines
Catching ideas between sessions? Sketch a quick EQ curve to shape a vocal or bass line. Working on arrangement? Use Spectral Dynamics to clean up a problematic frequency without overthinking it. Collaborating remotely? Send a session file and make mix notes on your iPad using the same plugin your mix partner is using on desktop.
The latest update, version 4.02, added even more refinement to the iOS experience with improved bug fixes and performance tuning. FabFilter clearly committed to making this more than a gimmick, it's a fully-fledged mobile production tool.
For producers in afro house, melodic house, tech house, and melodic techno, this opens doors. Your creative process doesn't have to pause when you leave the studio. Your mixing standards don't have to drop when you're working mobile. Pro-Q 4 for iOS brings that same professional standard wherever your production takes you.
If you're serious about your sound and you're working on iPad, Pro-Q 4 deserves a spot in your mobile toolkit. It's the same EQ trusted by thousands of professionals, now it's in your pocket.