Parametric Equalization

[TexasStudioC]

I'm wanting to purchase a solid EQ. It doesn't necessarily have to be tube but if anyone makes a cutting edge tube parametric EQ I'd be interested in hearing about it...evaluation wise. In theory, I'd love to have a cutting edge all tube front end.

Right now I'm looking at 2 eq's. Both are GML One is the 8200 and one is the 9500. The 9500 is a mastering eq. I've never knowingly heard either (only studio in this town). I figure if I'vd got a mastering limiter (requisite) I might as well spend a little extra and get a mastering eq.

I'd love to hear some thoughts and discussion on this.

Thanks
Walt

[666666]

Check out the GML 2032 which is a single channel mic pre with parametric eq unit... basically the same eq section that's in the 8200 but single channel.

I have a PAIR of 2032s and use them for mono or stereo parametric eq purposes as well as single or dual channel recording purposes. Getting a pair of 2032s is very economical when you consider that they essentially yield you the eq power of an 8200, PLUS a pair of GML pres and DIs which are amazing.

A PAIR of 2032s retail are about $5,500, where an 8200 WITH power supply is over $5,300 or so. Going the dual 2032 route, you get almost the same eq PLUS a PAIR of GML pres / DI's for less than $200 more.

Another nice thing about the 2032... the power supply is built-in, no extra power supply box to buy and deal with like with the 8200. THe 2032s are just easier to deal with, especially if you need to use them for remote things.

My 2032s are probably my most favorite and most used units of all. The pres, DIs and eq... all just absolutely incredible. I'm still saving up for another pair... the more the better.

http://www.massenburg.com/cgi-bin/ml...ml?id=Kx8MnNDs

[TexasStudioC]

I was thinking about adding this on the thread but I thought I should stick to one topic.

I've got pre's out the wazoo....

A friend told me about 2020's a while back. I've debated on this... believe me.

I'm just thinking about the 5 bands and shelving.... the 2020 is 4 band I think... and there are no tubes.

I have a Univeral Audio 6176... has eq, limiter, and pre with a tube base. The 2032s are definitely something to think about. I suppose you can isolate the eq and use only that?

I've got a lot to think about.....

[jdjustice]

well, fwiw, the difference between a mastering eq and a 'standard' eq can be much more than a few dollars.
that GML 8200 is pricey as it is (to me at least) but the 9500 is around $11k.
regardless of the price, the 8200 is a studio standard for a reason.
it is a clean and surgical eq that can be used correctively for just about any eq issue you may have.
the 2302 is not really suitable for mastering because it is single-channel.

other higher-end mastering equalizers that are popular around include the Crane Song IBIS, the Massive Passive, the Avalon AD2055/AD2077 and the Gyratec XIV.
the Gyratec XIV is a passive tube-based stereo equalizer.
i am not sure that it is fully parametric with a sweepable Q; maybe someone here can tell me if it is or not..
the Gyraf XIV seems to be popular with mastering engineers however.

why do you want a tube unit?
do you want a mastering equalizer that adds something to your sound or just stays clean and out of the way (corrective-only)?



cheers.
~j.d.

[Isle of Weight]

How about the empirical labs LiL FrEQ these would be less expensive. They're totally worth the $$. I love em!!!
very surgical, very verstile, awesome DI, awesome De-esser.


AA.

[TexasStudioC]

I'm not sure exactly what I want. This is something I'd love to read some discourse on from guys with more experience with various units than I have. I'm thinking the GML 8200 is the way I'll go. The money issue... I think the 9500 can be had for around $8900 plus a $1000 for the power supply. The 8200 is more like $5100 with the power supply so that's a significant cash difference.

I'm not sure I want tubes in an eq.. I do think tubes present a warmer overall sound and make a recording more listenable. This might go back to my roots as a rock and blues guitarist though. Maybe I should use a GML 8200 on the vocals and a tube parametric eq on the guitars? Geez... the possiblities are endless.

I'll primarily use the unit to track with and then on various subs during mix down.

I sort of wonder if my software eq is as good... because I just don't know... having never compared the two.

[aryschien]

I have compared eq plug-ins and hardware eqs many times. One thing that I found the same with expensive hardware eqs v.s. cheap hardware eqs is that, you can do some wild tihngs with good hardware eqs (like boosting 12dB above 16khz) and they still sound good, while with eq plug-ins or not-so-good hardware eqs things sound really ugly.

(The same with compressors, when it's about over 10dB of compression.)

The funny thing is that I have the same love of tube sound as you do. I don't know if it has anything to do with that I also grew up in rock music. One thing I know for sure is that, while there are many excellent gears that are tube-less, if something among the others caught my attension, 8 out of 10 it's got a tube in it.

[Dan]

If you really want tubes, the Tube Tech EQ-1AM seems like one of the very few tube parametric eqs out there. There is always the Massive Passive, but with it being a Parallel eq, it's a little different than a standard parametric. It's extremely different than the GML, being the other EQ you're looking at. Most Tube eq's fall into more the "Tone Shaping" or "Pultecesque?" school. If you get past the idea that you want tubes, there's many choices out there, but "cutting edge tube design"?? What's that?

The GML is a tracking standard, but honestly the 8200 is not a mastering EQ. It's a very nice sounding unit, but lacks the precision normally required for mastering. It's not a bad thing. Do you really care about .5 db steps, and switches on everything?

BTW, the Cranesong also seems to be a popular choice.