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Post by ngallio on Jul 6, 2015 7:37:53 GMT -6
hi all, Used the search function but didn't find a discussion about tracking EQ's, please excuse me if I've missed any being the lazy chap I am.. I'm an ITB kinda guy that recently jumped on the 500 series bandwagon with an 11 slots rack and 4 VP26s. I'm keen on the DIY side of things and I have an LA2A (I also happen to have built a couple of very-dark-sounding Fairchild 660's but that's another story). I have had good results using my LA2A while tracking and really appreciate having a track that's almost there from the go, that's why I'd like to add an EQ to my arsenal to tweak a source on the way in. So far my eyes have fallen on these candidates, I must remain in the 500 series realm because I'll need a friend to bring this from USA to Italy where I live, otherwise the Warm EQPA would have been a very serious contender. 1) CAPI's LC53Apros: everybody says it sounds really good, I love Jeff's work, I know he's not in a good spot and I'd like to contribute/help, it is relatively cheap and it's DIY (always a plus in my book). cons: limited number of bands/frequencies available. 2) GR/Harrison 32 pros: highly regarded, highly flexible with 4 fully sweepable bands and sweepable HP/LP filters cons: quite expensive. 3) Tonelux EQ5P
pros: highly regarded, seems very flexible and it's designed by Paul Wolff. cons: quite expensive 4) Kush Electra pros: interesting concept, seems flexible enough, people rave about it, not very expensive if compared to the big guys. cons: no freq/dB labeling ------------------------- What's your thoughts about the above mentioned units for tracking? Do you have units that you'd like to suggest? Please feel free. thanks a lot nicco |
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Post by Ward on Jul 6, 2015 8:45:54 GMT -6
API and AMS-Neve. And done.
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Post by ngallio on Jul 6, 2015 8:50:29 GMT -6
API and AMS-Neve. And done. thank you, I seem to remember that the price on the brands you mention might be a little steeper than the GR/Harrison unti that I regard as "expensive". I cannot afford to spend more than 700USD circa.. |
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Post by warrenfirehouse on Jul 6, 2015 9:22:33 GMT -6
Ive got electras here. For the price they are no brainers. Great for adding air and cutting mud and boom on the way in.
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Post by tonycamphd on Jul 6, 2015 9:45:17 GMT -6
lc53a's are great, the swinging inputs make it hard to screw something up, then there is the EZ1084's that i keep hearing about but haven't built.
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Post by drbill on Jul 6, 2015 10:08:31 GMT -6
Tracking wise, I need quick, I need something that I can't screw up, I need to be moving on faster than it took me to type this. Filters and Tilt are what works for me. The Chop Shop is IMO the worlds best tracking EQ. It's fast, simple, and it gets you in "the zone". Minutae and tweaking can be done later, but when I've got 5-8 + guys sitting on the floor, I need to be moving FAST or loose the muse...
Most of the EQ's you've suggest are the opposite of this. The tweakier they are, the less I'll reach for them when tracking. If I had to choose a different EQ for tracking, and if its a 500 format, it would be the venerable API 550A.
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Post by Ward on Jul 6, 2015 10:12:03 GMT -6
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Post by ngallio on Jul 6, 2015 10:54:51 GMT -6
Tracking wise, I need quick, I need something that I can't screw up, I need to be moving on faster than it took me to type this. Filters and Tilt are what works for me. The Chop Shop is IMO the worlds best tracking EQ. It's fast, simple, and it gets you in "the zone". Minutae and tweaking can be done later, but when I've got 5-8 + guys sitting on the floor, I need to be moving FAST or loose the muse... Most of the EQ's you've suggest are the opposite of this. The tweakier they are, the less I'll reach for them when tracking. If I had to choose a different EQ for tracking, and if its a 500 format, it would be the venerable API 550A. I see what you mean. Thanks for your input, may I take the 550A suggestion as a +1 for te LC53? ;-) |
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Post by ngallio on Jul 6, 2015 10:55:25 GMT -6
thanks a lot Ward that's a lot of food for thoughts! The CAPI is actually on my list, as I have built 4xVP26s |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Jul 6, 2015 11:02:13 GMT -6
Honestly you need to figure out what you want need in a tracking EQ first!
Do you want high pass and low pass filters ( for me a must in a tracking EQ). ?
You want color / mojo or clean ?
Do you want sweeps or specific freq inductor EQ?
What about Verible Q?
How many bands ?
Start by answering these questions
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Post by ngallio on Jul 6, 2015 11:08:49 GMT -6
Honestly you need to figure out what you want need in a tracking EQ first! Do you want high pass and low pass filters ( for me a must in a tracking EQ). ? You want color / mojo or clean ? Do you want sweeps or specific freq inductor EQ? What about Verible Q? How many bands ? Start by answering these questions Hi, you're right. I'd like at least an HPF I'd like freq sweeps I don't necessarily need variable Q, might be ok with a proportional or even a fixed design. I'd like at least three bands. RE: mojo/character/clean I'm really not sure, can I say it's not a major factor? Of course I'd like some iron in the signal path but I understand flexibility and character don't necessarily come together at the price point I'm aiming for (<700). thanks for your input |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 6, 2015 11:22:00 GMT -6
API and AMS-Neve. And done. Ward must have missed the "API sues Jeff" thread... |
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Post by odyssey76 on Jul 6, 2015 11:59:01 GMT -6
You beat me to it John........  |
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Post by odyssey76 on Jul 6, 2015 12:04:07 GMT -6
Of all the EQ's mentioned I only have experience with the Electra's. I love those EQ's but wouldn't want to necessarily track with them because of the non-marked frequency bands. Come to think of it I'm pretty chicken shit when it comes to tracking with EQs. I like the roll off filters on my VP28's but that's all I'll use. Maybe the Speck EQ's would fit the bill nicely? Clean but people rave about them and you can get them in 500 series.
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Post by Ward on Jul 6, 2015 12:04:39 GMT -6
API and AMS-Neve. And done. Ward must have missed the "API sues Jeff" thread... I believe I have clearly demonstrated my ability to ignore that which displeases me. |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Jul 6, 2015 12:11:53 GMT -6
RTZ PEQ1549! It's simply a very nice console EQ in 500 land!
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Post by ngallio on Jul 6, 2015 12:28:53 GMT -6
RTZ PEQ1549! It's simply a very nice console EQ in 500 land! thank you, it's a very interesting piece of gear and on paper it looks seriously versatile and flexible. It's well above my budget though, being almost 100usd more expensive than the Harrison/GR. |
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Post by BradM on Jul 6, 2015 13:02:34 GMT -6
Of all the EQ's mentioned I only have experience with the Electra's. I love those EQ's but wouldn't want to necessarily track with them because of the non-marked frequency bands. Come to think of it I'm pretty chicken shit when it comes to tracking with EQs. I like the roll off filters on my VP28's but that's all I'll use. Maybe the Speck EQ's would fit the bill nicely? Clean but people rave about them and you can get them in 500 series. I'm kind of like Bill. When I'm tracking I am working quickly. So the last thing I want to do is get hung up on numbers. The Electra does indeed lack frequency marking around the knob, but it still has little hash marks for recall. Whether you are pointing the knob at 360 Hz or the 1 o'clock hash mark you still have a repeatable means for recalling settings. When we designed the Electra Greg really wanted to force people to use their ears. The Electra succeeds at that. Think of it as courage building.  When I followed up the Electra with the Chop Shop design I chose to give users a slightly more convenient recall experience--the Chop Shop has a few frequency markings so you can get your bearings, along with 41 detent pots. I second Eric's comment about determining your requirements for an EQ. I did that once for myself and wound up designing two modules to meet the complete set of those needs. So I'm going to recommend the house special: Electra + Chop Shop combo (I know it's over budget)...which will pretty much cover you for any tracking need where you don't require a color box. It's too hard to pick just one. Brad |
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Post by drbill on Jul 6, 2015 13:05:24 GMT -6
Tracking wise, I need quick, I need something that I can't screw up, I need to be moving on faster than it took me to type this. Filters and Tilt are what works for me. The Chop Shop is IMO the worlds best tracking EQ. It's fast, simple, and it gets you in "the zone". Minutae and tweaking can be done later, but when I've got 5-8 + guys sitting on the floor, I need to be moving FAST or loose the muse... Most of the EQ's you've suggest are the opposite of this. The tweakier they are, the less I'll reach for them when tracking. If I had to choose a different EQ for tracking, and if its a 500 format, it would be the venerable API 550A. I see what you mean. Thanks for your input, may I take the 550A suggestion as a +1 for te LC53? ;-) No, I don't think so. They are different things. |
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Post by mdmitch2 on Jul 6, 2015 13:12:39 GMT -6
Like drbill said, my preference is something you can dial in quickly, and the Electra would not be my first choice for that. I like the CAPI 553 for tracking since it has HP/LP, sounds great -- super simple and quick. IME, Electra is awesome for mix time and bringing out the hidden goodness of a track. edit --> Brad posted while I was typing this, so my comment was not meant in response to his. Electra would make a great tracking EQ -- just not my first choice for dummy proof tracking. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Jul 6, 2015 13:26:36 GMT -6
I see what you mean. Thanks for your input, may I take the 550A suggestion as a +1 for te LC53? ;-) No, I don't think so. They are different things. what did i miss? I would say they are VERY similar other than some point choices, the capi's have better filter shape choices(specifically shelving option) that make them a more forgiving tracking eq imo(harder to screw up) |
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Post by Randge on Jul 6, 2015 13:50:06 GMT -6
I have a pair of the Radial Q-3's, (2)AEA RPQ pre's with eq's (you can use line level for the eq only), an Inward Connections Impulse (wish I had a pair), a pair of Kush Electra's, pair Great River Harrison 32's and a Little lab's VOG for tracking eq options in 500 series, but what I use the most is the RTZ 1549's. I have recently filmed a quick video of them and hope to get it posted soon. They are tremendously useful eq's that I am very fast at dialing in now after 2 years of using them. They get my highest praise and love. www.rtzaudio.com/PEQ1549.html |
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Post by drbill on Jul 6, 2015 14:00:52 GMT -6
No, I don't think so. They are different things. what did i miss? I would say they are VERY similar other than some point choices, the capi's have better filter shape choices(specifically shelving option) that make them a more forgiving tracking eq imo(harder to screw up) proportional q? www.avedisaudio.com/API_eqs.html |
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Post by ngallio on Jul 6, 2015 14:06:29 GMT -6
Of all the EQ's mentioned I only have experience with the Electra's. I love those EQ's but wouldn't want to necessarily track with them because of the non-marked frequency bands. Come to think of it I'm pretty chicken shit when it comes to tracking with EQs. I like the roll off filters on my VP28's but that's all I'll use. Maybe the Speck EQ's would fit the bill nicely? Clean but people rave about them and you can get them in 500 series. I'm kind of like Bill. When I'm tracking I am working quickly. So the last thing I want to do is get hung up on numbers. The Electra does indeed lack frequency marking around the knob, but it still has little hash marks for recall. Whether you are pointing the knob at 360 Hz or the 1 o'clock hash mark you still have a repeatable means for recalling settings. When we designed the Electra Greg really wanted to force people to use their ears. The Electra succeeds at that. Think of it as courage building. When I followed up the Electra with the Chop Shop design I chose to give users a slightly more convenient recall experience--the Chop Shop has a few frequency markings so you can get your bearings, along with 41 detent pots. I second Eric's comment about determining your requirements for an EQ. I did that once for myself and wound up designing two modules to meet the complete set of those needs. So I'm going to recommend the house special: Electra + Chop Shop combo (I know it's over budget)...which will pretty much cover you for any tracking need where you don't require a color box. It's too hard to pick just one. Brad thanks Brad, I have stated above what I think are my needs when it comes to a tracking EQ, pasting them here: I'd like at least an HPF I'd like freq sweeps I don't necessarily need variable Q, might be ok with a proportional or even a fixed design. I'd like at least three bands. RE: mojo/character/clean I'm really not sure, can I say it's not a major factor? Of course I'd like some iron in the signal path but I understand flexibility and character don't necessarily come together at the price point I'm aiming for (<700). thanks for your input |
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Post by wiz on Jul 6, 2015 17:20:14 GMT -6
I ownded API 550B
I never got on with that thing, for mixing or tracking, also remember its unbalanced and you will drop 6 db (ish)
I tried the Alta Moda stuff, it was poorly built, I bought two, both were buggered, they went back, the guy was cool though and refunded me including shipping.
I had two Speck EQs, they were really well designed and built. The were able to be used outside of a 500 series Rack, they had a little stand they mounted on and the biggest god damn wall wart I had ever seen! Captive rack screws, they really were beautifully designed, flexible.
I just didn't really need them. They were very clean. ITB does clean (linear phase etc) so they went too.
I now use mainly the HPF on the CAPI VP28 or the HPFs on my other preamps, or the console EQ in my upgraded Delta, in conjunction with the Warm Pultec. Those get me where I want to go.
I wouldnt mind a really clean flexibly parametric now for mixing though, something like the GML EQ, there is rumour of some sort of kit coming for an EQ like that.
I know it doesn't really help, just thought I would share.
cheers
Wiz
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When I followed up the Electra with the Chop Shop design I chose to give users a slightly more convenient recall experience--the Chop Shop has a few frequency markings so you can get your bearings, along with 41 detent pots.
