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Post by RealNoob on Oct 7, 2022 19:11:13 GMT -6
First, I know the best answer is to fill the rack with options. That said...
I going to grab a first 500 EQ. I am looking at the xFliter, a pair of Maag EQ4's, RND 551s, Great River 32C, SSL 611, and the AML ez1073 (I know it has a pre as well).
I already have the xPressor and am looking subsequently at RND 542s and a pair mic pres. I'm running the RND 10 space rack. I would hope one of these would provide some flexibility and mojo (weight and size) but it seems hard to find one, under a grand per channel that does both. I'm leaning more towards the xFilter or EQ4 but the ez is interesting.
Any feedback or suggestions? I am open to 2nd hand but need to buy from a company, not an individual.
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Post by matt@IAA on Oct 7, 2022 19:18:45 GMT -6
Hi Rob, I seem to remember you being in Texas. Are you in Houston? I’d be glad to bring some of our EQs by for a demo sometime.
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Post by Blackdawg on Oct 7, 2022 22:33:19 GMT -6
Yeah Matt's LH95's are baller. I need to get more once I've finished building and moving.
Also you can't run the ez1073 eq unless you have the mic pre, it is an add on card not a fully functioning card by itself. Just fyi.
Others, CAPI LC25/40 or BT50
If you Like SSL EQs Link Audio ones are great.
DIYRE EQp5 for a Pultec style or JLM's is great.
JLM's FreqEQ is pretty damn versatile. But pretty clean.
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Post by thirdeye on Oct 7, 2022 22:56:41 GMT -6
First, I know the best answer is to fill the rack with options. That said... I going to grab a first 500 EQ. I am looking at the xFliter, a pair of Maag EQ4's, RND 551s, Great River 32C, SSL 611, and the AML ez1073 (I know it has a pre as well). I already have the xPressor and am looking subsequently at RND 542s and a pair mic pres. I'm running the RND 10 space rack. I would hope one of these would provide some flexibility and mojo (weight and size) but it seems hard to find one, under a grand per channel that does both. I'm leaning more towards the xFilter or EQ4 but the ez is interesting. Any feedback or suggestions? I am open to 2nd hand but need to buy from a company, not an individual. Have you looked at the TK-lizer 500? TK-lizer 500
I like the XFilter more for 2 bus, but for tracking and mixing the TK is kinda better in my opinion because it can do dual mono. |
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Post by thehightenor on Oct 8, 2022 2:31:11 GMT -6
Personally, I’d demo any clean 500 series solid state EQ against the DMG Equilibrium plugin (set to its longer impulse lengths) for two bus duties.
Do proper double blind ABX testing …. you might be very surprised by the results!
Imho it takes a character piece of hardware (usually 19” rack) with tubes, transformers and at least some inductor based EQ elements to beat the DMG Equilibrium plugin on the two bus.
Just a cost saving thought to throw in there.
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Post by RealNoob on Oct 8, 2022 8:22:12 GMT -6
Hi Rob, I seem to remember you being in Texas. Are you in Houston? I’d be glad to bring some of our EQs by for a demo sometime. I have my rack but am not presently set up - wrapping up an album without it at present. Don't want to change in the middle. The Seawell review was interesting. What caught my attention the most was his mention of how they bring things forward. I posted another thread about that very thing - hardware bringing immediacy. I think that is becoming a priority. Maybe a demo later will be good. |
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Post by RealNoob on Oct 8, 2022 8:23:44 GMT -6
Personally, I’d demo any clean 500 series solid state EQ against the DMG Equilibrium plugin (set to its longer impulse lengths) for two bus duties. Do proper double blind ABX testing …. you might be very surprised by the results! Imho it takes a character piece of hardware (usually 19” rack) with tubes, transformers and at least some inductor based EQ elements to beat the DMG Equilibrium plugin on the two bus. Just a cost saving thought to throw in there. You just helped me focus on my goal. I don't need a hardware EQ to do it all. I want mojo and immediacy. I can easily use PA AMEK 200/250 for surgical things. Thanks! |
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Post by RealNoob on Oct 8, 2022 13:01:12 GMT -6
It's not normal for 500 series gear to pop and crackle when you engage or change settings is it?
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Post by RealNoob on Oct 8, 2022 13:49:55 GMT -6
anyone have thoughts on the BT50 and LC25/40?
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Post by stratboy on Oct 8, 2022 14:29:32 GMT -6
Here’s a vote for the xFilter on the 2-bus. I’ve been happy with mine.
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Post by RealNoob on Oct 8, 2022 20:50:07 GMT -6
Interesting. I was listening to a sample run through a few different ones. Even tough it was a rough file (MP3), it was really easy to hear the differences between them. I know they were all tweaked a bit differently but seems to be the same approach to all, depending upon bands available. A few also have mojo and either bring immediacy or depth Comments refer only to this test: - Some like the Lindell sound cloudy.
- Quite a few sound thin like the MAAG, AM25, Electra, Phoenix (surprised me), xFilter, 551 (not exciting at all)
- Both Tridents were thin and hard on top
- E27 was nice on top and fuller in low mids - nice Mojo
- The Harrison 32 brought everything to life and up front. Can definite hear the impact of the additional band (not so much in xFliter). It also had a lot of depth. this was suprising.
- The Bettermaker 502P is insane. It loses some of the tonal fulness of the Harrison but still opens up the mix like the Harrison does. It does sound different, a tad scooped or Harrison is mid forward (likely this) but the depth and space it imparts is insane.
If I had to purchase tomorrow, it's be between the Harrison or Bettermaker.
If anyone is able to run a clip through some BT50s, LC25s or LC40s, it'd be awesome. Let me know and i will send a clip.
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Post by ab101 on Oct 8, 2022 23:07:29 GMT -6
Trace Audio made me some great LC25s. I love them and easy to use.
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Post by OtisGreying on Oct 9, 2022 0:22:09 GMT -6
Trace Audio made me some great LC25s. I love them and easy to use. What’s your favorite use for LC25s? |
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Post by Blackdawg on Oct 9, 2022 0:25:33 GMT -6
I have a pair of lc25s I'd run something through for you.
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Post by ab101 on Oct 9, 2022 9:17:54 GMT -6
Trace Audio made me some great LC25s. I love them and easy to use. What’s your favorite use for LC25s? Currently, bass, drums and percussion. I have not found something I do not like them on yet, except that I have not tried them on the mix buss. I like the frequency choices. |
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Post by RealNoob on Oct 9, 2022 10:45:49 GMT -6
Why did you guys choose the LC25s over the LC40s? Was it simply the EQ points?
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Post by Blackdawg on Oct 9, 2022 12:00:23 GMT -6
Yeah basically. Though I'd always planned on getting a pair of lc40s too. But then covid happened and now everything capi is hard to get
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Post by drbill on Oct 9, 2022 14:02:23 GMT -6
Yes. I like the EQ points on the LC25's better too, although I have ONE LC40 and would eventually like to have a pair. I want to loop them together in series and create the ultimate 20 band Equilizer.  |
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Post by Blackdawg on Oct 9, 2022 14:05:24 GMT -6
Yes. I like the EQ points on the LC25's better too, although I have ONE LC40 and would eventually like to have a pair. I want to loop them together in series and create the ultimate 20 band Equilizer. Ditto. Had dreams of trying to tweak the gain settings to half of what they were to make it a sweet 20 band mastering eq. But never found the time. |
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Post by drbill on Oct 9, 2022 14:07:43 GMT -6
Yes. I like the EQ points on the LC25's better too, although I have ONE LC40 and would eventually like to have a pair. I want to loop them together in series and create the ultimate 20 band Equilizer. Ditto. Had dreams of trying to tweak the gain settings to half of what they were to make it a sweet 20 band mastering eq. But never found the time. That's a good idea. I like it. Plenty of boost/cut at half throttle IMO. |
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Post by smashlord on Oct 9, 2022 18:52:52 GMT -6
anyone have thoughts on the BT50 and LC25/40? I've used the BT50... sounded great. Reminded me of the 550As I have (I realize its based off the 550). I also have or have used some of the others you have mentioned.... are you looking for something cleaner or something with more of a sound? Maag EQ4- Have it, love it for what it does BUT could not recommend it as a first EQ. It does and handful of things very well (vocals, bass, kick), but is not a "use it on everything" piece. I primarily use it to brighten a vocal when I want something a little cleaner than a Pultec. SSL611- Very versatile, use it on everything piece. Subtle color. RND551- Great low band, but I personally find the top band to be hard sounding. I liked it on kick and bass, but not really much else. Sold it. For 500 series, I personally like 550 style EQs... they are versatile enough and have some box tone/add a finishing quality to the source material. I prefer the 550A to the 550B. |
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Post by RealNoob on Oct 9, 2022 19:32:29 GMT -6
I also have or have used some of the others you have mentioned.... are you looking for something cleaner or something with more of a sound? Hi, thanks. Definitely color to sweeten and help things bloom. I can do subtractive EQ in the box. |
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Post by robschnapf on Oct 9, 2022 20:03:20 GMT -6
The BT50s are great as are the Phoenix Gyrator.
The Phoenix you have an output adjust so you can also play with saturation.
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Post by ab101 on Oct 9, 2022 20:08:22 GMT -6
Tree Audio 500 eqs are very good and versatile too. I love the Iron Age V2 rack unit. I have not tried the Iron Age 500 series, but if it is anything like the rack unit, it may be the sweetener you want. Heritage 73 jr eqs are great for that Nevish low end, but I am not too crazy about the highs on it.
I am not sure I would call the Maag high end sweet, but airy and nice. I am not too crazy about the other eq points on the Maag.
I got spoiled on the high end of the spectrum with the Silver Bullet II and/or the Thermionic Swift.
By the way, I love the 100 hz on the Capi 25.
For just plain super clean in a 500 unit - the Zahl Eq1.
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Post by smashlord on Oct 9, 2022 21:08:43 GMT -6
I also have or have used some of the others you have mentioned.... are you looking for something cleaner or something with more of a sound? Hi, thanks. Definitely color to sweeten and help things bloom. I can do subtractive EQ in the box. A tried and true 550A is great for that, although if you are using it for mix buss duties....2db increments. That said, its box tone with no EQ is awesome on the mix. |
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