A good mastering EQ doesn't need to have a hundred controls.
Most of the time, mastering comes down to making small changes. A little more low end, a touch less mud in the mids, some extra air on top, and maybe a bit of character to make the whole mix feel more finished.
There are already hundreds of EQ plugins available for music producers, so releasing another one isn't exactly an easy job.
Lemur Audio is taking a slightly different approach with SIMON, a mastering EQ plugin that combines traditional EQ controls with analog-style saturation.
The idea is pretty simple. You get the tools you need to make small tonal changes to a finished mix, while also having the option to add some harmonic color when you want it.
And the price makes it interesting. SIMON costs $29 for a perpetual license, so there's no monthly subscription to worry about.
But is it actually worth adding to your mastering chain?
A Simple Mastering EQ
SIMON is designed mainly for mastering, and the interface reflects that.
Instead of throwing a huge number of controls at you, it gives you three parametric EQ bands plus low and high shelves. This makes it easy to make broad, musical changes without getting lost in complicated settings.
That's exactly what I want from a mastering EQ.
Mastering usually isn't about making massive EQ cuts and boosts. If the mix is already good, you might only need a small low-end adjustment, a little less energy in the mids, or some extra brightness at the top.
SIMON is built around those kinds of moves.
You can also use the plugin on mix buses, vocals, drums and other important tracks. So although it's marketed as a mastering EQ, you're not limited to putting it only on your master channel.
The Saturation Is Where Things Get Interesting
The EQ section is useful, but the saturation is probably the feature that makes SIMON stand out.
SIMON includes several saturation modes that allow you to add harmonic character to the signal. There's the original DIGITAL mode, along with OP-AMP modes designed around the nonlinear behavior of analog mastering hardware.
This means you can keep the processing relatively clean or push the input harder when you want more character.
The amount of saturation you use will obviously depend on the track. Sometimes you might want almost none, while another mix may benefit from a little extra harmonic energy.
There's also an OP-AMP LP mode, which gives you another way of using the OP-AMP character while changing the behavior in the high-frequency range.
You don't really need to understand all the technical details to use it. Just try the different modes and listen to what happens.
SIMON also lets you change the look of the interface with three different themes: Blue, Black and Red. It's a small feature, but it's a nice touch if you prefer a particular look while working on your mixes.
Mid/Side Processing Is Included
For a mastering EQ, Mid/Side processing is one of those features that can be extremely useful when you actually need it.
SIMON lets you switch between traditional Left/Right processing and Mid/Side processing.
That means you can work on the center and sides of your stereo mix independently.
For example, you might want to make a small tonal adjustment to the center of a track without applying the same change to the stereo information. You can also make subtle changes to the side information when you're working on the overall stereo balance.
SIMON also has a LINK function for keeping the channels together when you want symmetrical processing.
It's not something you should use just because it's available, but having Mid/Side built into the EQ is definitely a nice advantage.
Clean or Colored — You Choose
One thing I like about SIMON is that it doesn't force you into a particular sound.
You can use it mainly as an EQ and keep the processing subtle, or you can drive the input and use the saturation section to add more character.
The plugin also includes three stereo matrix modes: EQUAL, MODERN and VINTAGE.
These modes change how the harmonic processing behaves between the stereo channels. EQUAL keeps the harmonic structure consistent, while MODERN and VINTAGE introduce different amounts of variation.
This gives you a few different flavors to experiment with without making the interface complicated.
What About Using SIMON for Mixing?
Even though SIMON is designed for mastering, I wouldn't limit it to the master bus.
A mix bus is an obvious place to try it, especially if you're looking for gentle EQ changes and some analog-style color.
It can also be useful on vocals, drums, synths or other buses where you want broad tonal shaping.
That's one of the advantages of having a mastering-style EQ. The controls are usually designed around making smooth, musical changes rather than surgical processing.
Automatic Gain Compensation Is a Nice Touch
One small feature that deserves attention is automatic gain compensation.
Whenever you boost frequencies, the processed signal can become louder. The problem is that louder often sounds better during a quick A/B comparison, even if the actual processing isn't an improvement.
SIMON can compensate for those level changes, making it easier to compare the processed and unprocessed signals fairly.
That's particularly useful when you're making very small changes during mastering.
You can also control the input and output levels yourself when needed.
Compatibility and Price
SIMON is available as a VST3 plugin on Windows, with VST3 and AU support on Mac. Newer versions also support AAX for Pro Tools.
It works with popular DAWs including Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Reaper and Pro Tools.
There are also different quality modes available, allowing you to choose between different processing settings depending on your workflow.
And if you're not sure whether the plugin is right for you, Lemur Audio offers a 14-day fully functional demo.
That's probably the best way to judge a mastering plugin anyway. Put it on a few of your own mixes and see if you actually like the results.
Is SIMON Worth $29?
At $29, SIMON is an interesting option.
If you only need a basic parametric EQ, there are already excellent free EQ plugins that can do the job. You don't need SIMON to make a good master.
But you're getting more than just an EQ here.
You have the EQ section, Mid/Side processing, automatic gain compensation, stereo linking and several saturation modes in one plugin.
The fact that it's a one-time $29 purchase also makes it easier to recommend than another expensive mastering plugin or subscription.
For bedroom producers and smaller studios, that's a pretty reasonable price for a dedicated mastering tool.
Final Thoughts
SIMON isn't trying to be an all-in-one mastering suite, and I think that's a good thing.
It focuses on EQ and harmonic processing while keeping the workflow fairly straightforward.
The combination of parametric EQ, shelves, Mid/Side processing and analog-style saturation gives you plenty of control without turning the plugin into a complicated mess.
Is it a must-have mastering plugin? Not necessarily.
You can absolutely make great masters using stock EQs and free plugins.
But if you're looking for a mastering EQ plugin with analog-style saturation, SIMON is definitely worth trying. At $29, the barrier to entry is low, and the 14-day demo gives you plenty of time to decide if its sound fits your workflow.
Want to check out SIMON for yourself? Visit the official Lemur Audio website to learn more about the plugin, check the latest details, and try the demo.
👉 Check Out Lemur Audio SIMON
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