# 3-EQ vs. Multiband EQ CPU usage **URL:** \ **Category:** FMOD Studio\ **Created:** [January 17, 2022, 4:58pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/3-eq-vs-multiband-eq-cpu-usage/18227 "2022-01-17T16:58:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrewKski0](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/drewkski0/32/1775_2.png) [@DrewKski0](https://qa.fmod.com/u/DrewKski0)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2022, 4:58pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/3-eq-vs-multiband-eq-cpu-usage/18227/1 "2022-01-17T16:58:09Z")
Hello all! I’ve got a few questions regarding the cost of 3-EQ and Multiband EQ. My project ran into an issue on the Switch due to many instances of the 3-EQ effect being used. One of our engineers reported “90% of one of the cores” was being eaten up by 20 instances used on several events (some events even had multiple 3-EQ effects loaded in). I’ve since made some major adjustments and replaced some silly usages with HighPass & LowPass effects, but for other events, we still need the same automated frequency action on our vehicle engines. My questions are: 1. What are the actual costs of using 3-EQ compared to Multiband EQ? 2. Is it possible to achieve the same sonic results with a Multiband EQ as originally heard through the 3-EQ? (I saw elsewhere on the forum that 3-EQ runs in parallel while Multiband runs in series. I understand the difference, I’m just concerned about re-creating the right sound with a different EQ algorithm.) Thank you!! Drew ---
**Author:** ![Alcibiade](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/alcibiade/32/4284_2.png) [@Alcibiade](https://qa.fmod.com/u/Alcibiade)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/3-eq-vs-multiband-eq-cpu-usage/18227/2 "2022-01-17T22:00:20Z")
From what I know, Multiband EQ is a more recent (so maybe better optimized?) addition to FMOD than 3-EQ. And HighPass and LowPass are legacy (for retro-compatibility), so maybe better to avoid them… I just did a little test with 20 effects of each on a single event, and Multiband EQ seems cheaper on the CPU. Here’s the result: ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/3/347522962b9d56244ada8528644ddc053d077513.png) But maybe with different settings, the result would change, I don’t know… > [@DrewKski0](#): > > Is it possible to achieve the same sonic results with a Multiband EQ as originally heard through the 3-EQ? Nobody can answer but you. Just try! (but I would tend to say it’s often possible) ---
**Author:** ![DrewKski0](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/drewkski0/32/1775_2.png) [@DrewKski0](https://qa.fmod.com/u/DrewKski0)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 8:59pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/3-eq-vs-multiband-eq-cpu-usage/18227/3 "2022-01-19T20:59:09Z")
Thanks for running that experiment, Alci! Did you have all of the bands enabled when the Multiband was loaded in? It’s still impressive how much cheaper it is compared to 3-EQ! And what you say about legacy effects makes sense. I think I’ll use another Multiband and only enable its Hi/Lo Pass options. Thank you again! ---
**Author:** ![Alcibiade](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/alcibiade/32/4284_2.png) [@Alcibiade](https://qa.fmod.com/u/Alcibiade)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/3-eq-vs-multiband-eq-cpu-usage/18227/4 "2022-01-19T21:03:05Z")
No, just one band, because I supposed in some cases you would use the 3-EQ only for one of its filter. But I should try the multiband with 3 bands enabled and see if that changes anything… ---
**Author:** ![Alcibiade](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/alcibiade/32/4284_2.png) [@Alcibiade](https://qa.fmod.com/u/Alcibiade)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/3-eq-vs-multiband-eq-cpu-usage/18227/5 "2022-01-19T21:13:17Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/e/e3daae2c23bd030f277ceb81f63dc04bc221a437.png) Multiband EQ with 3 bands enabled (low shelf, peak, high shelf) is still cheaper than 3-EQ (less, though). ---
**Author:** ![DrewKski0](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/drewkski0/32/1775_2.png) [@DrewKski0](https://qa.fmod.com/u/DrewKski0)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 9:40pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/3-eq-vs-multiband-eq-cpu-usage/18227/6 "2022-01-19T21:40:37Z")
That’s fantastic, thank you Alcibiade YET AGAIN! This may very well solve our CPU issues 😄 ---
**Author:** ![vojtanedved1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8c91f0/32.png) [@vojtanedved1](https://qa.fmod.com/u/vojtanedved1)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2023, 1:41pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/3-eq-vs-multiband-eq-cpu-usage/18227/7 "2023-08-25T13:41:58Z")
This thread helped us greatly. Thanks guys!