Buzz Tonic vs. Purple Odd

[futur2]

this one belongs into the non-existing 500 series forum.
tough one without having heard them which one would you choose buzz tonic or purple odd? why - except price?

[futur2]

pics

[GYang]

Both of course
I think both designers/manufacturers are really great, products are high-end and reasonably priced.
In this moment I'm leaning toward Purple due to their pres and comps I like very much

[futur2]

yeah the old gearslutz truth
i have a strong sympathy for buzz because i own the excelent essence. on the other hand i'm pretty set on getting some heavy ACTION and want an additional eq to fill my 2nd lunchbox.

[gm5k]

i gotta go w/ the Tonic for the same reason Gyang goes w/ Purple. I have yet to be disappointed by any 500 series Buzz Gear(in fact im completely in love with them all), and I own 3 different units. also loving the sweepable midrange and the x10 feature. can't wait to try out the Tonic

[Tim Farrant]

Tonic should be in the US this week!

[futur2]

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

Tonic should be in the US this week!

availability of course could be an argument

[Anarchihuahua]

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

Tonic should be in the US this week!

And Europe?

[Benmrx]

I'd say it really depends on your needs.

Only going by the design, and frequency choices, to me the Purple Odd EQ is exactly what I would want in a console EQ. Affordable, doesn't really seem like a "fixer", but more of a tone shaper (personally I LOVE the frequency choices they chose for this unit), where as the Buzz Tonic EQ seems like it could dig in a little harder (x10 switch + the Hi-Q button), and could be more useful on certain instruments that really need to poke out of the mix (or need some serious "help"). Especially with the 5K shelf option on the Tonic.

Then again, I have zero experience with either unit, so it's all on a hunch.

[futur2]

Originally Posted by Benmrx

where as the Buzz Tonic EQ seems like it could dig in a little harder (x10 switch + the Hi-Q button), and could be more useful on certain instruments that really need to poke out of the mix (or need some serious "help"). Especially with the 5K shelf option on the Tonic.

yeah similar thoughts on that but somehow i seem to have a more purple tendency atm...

[elcubo]

Interesting products...how do u think they stand with the API eq series??? 550/560? are they as good??? i askin because the prices in APIs are a little high, and they arent surgical---no x10...no Hi-Q button, bu they rocks and are the EQs for many peoples...thanx...

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by elcubo

Interesting products...how do u think they stand with the API eq series??? 550/560? are they as good??? i askin because the prices in APIs are a little high, and they arent surgical---no x10...no Hi-Q button, bu they rocks and are the EQs for many peoples...thanx...

no one really knows yet. we'll start seeing user reviews soon enough.

[computa]

has anyone heard these units?

[NathanEldred]

As an update, Buzz Audio Tonics arrived last Thursday in the US. I think we'll have a unit floating around the country for Gearslutz to hear if anyone is interested.

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

As an update, Buzz Audio Tonics arrived last Thursday in the US. I think we'll have a unit floating around the country for Gearslutz to hear if anyone is interested.

ive got to hear this beauty

[ToneRanger]

Ok,
any more opinions now these units have been out for a while?!

[heathen]

Tonic is a great eq, sounds good on everything I've run through it so far. It's quite smooth but also can get a little edgy as well when pushed. Great on vox, snare, kick, probably anything you throw at it.

I have not 1 bad thing to say about it, great eq. Been using it instead of my AD2055 for vox on quite a few different vocalists with superb results.

[mahasandi]

The 560 has a sweet top end and warm
solid body.
The odd has a clarity and bigness married
with nice harmonic richness.
they are comparable in control of freqs
though they accomplish it by different
means.
I love them both.

[futur2]

enough bands? compared to the avalon it looks a little aehm... poor?

Originally Posted by heathen

Tonic is a great eq, sounds good on everything I've run through it so far. It's quite smooth but also can get a little edgy as well when pushed. Great on vox, snare, kick, probably anything you throw at it.

I have not 1 bad thing to say about it, great eq. Been using it instead of my AD2055 for vox on quite a few different vocalists with superb results.

[heathen]

Originally Posted by futur2

enough bands? compared to the avalon it looks a little aehm... poor?

If your using a good mic and pre then how many bands do you really need?

Also they are completely different sounding eq's, the tonics have a little bit of bite to them.

[TRW]

The Purple is definitely based off swinging inputs EQ topology like the API553 and early Sphere 900. I have a funny feeling the Buzz is too - but that is just a guess.

Differences are function and sonic aesthetics.

The Purple is 4-band swinging inputs with true inductive peaking filters...likely broad in bandwidth and not tunable...but very good sounding I'm sure.

The Buzz EQ retains the inductors on the LF and HF bands, so same kind of deal as the Purple in peaking mode. The biggest difference is in Tims use of the Steve Dove C.A.P.S active midrange filter circuit (which works well with the swinging inputs topology, hence my guess). Buzz does 3-bands but covers more frequency range. Variable Q too.

Buzz has Class A opamps and Lundahl transformers. Purple has Class-AB KDJ amps and their Cinemag transformer.

So really its down to which kind of GOOD do you want. Something with 4-bands or something more tunable?

They both appear to be what I would call a simple and pure EQ design, although Tim may not be using the swinging inputs topology.
Good shit for sure.

-T

[futur2]

sometimes things get ****ed up inspite of mic and pre and then there are the problem singers

Originally Posted by heathen

If your using a good mic and pre then how many bands do you really need?

Also they are completely different sounding eq's, the tonics have a little bit of bite to them.

[s.d.finley]

Originally Posted by TRW

The Purple is definitely based off swinging inputs EQ topology like the API553 and early Sphere 900. I have a funny feeling the Buzz is too - but that is just a guess.

Differences are function and sonic aesthetics.

The Purple is 4-band swinging inputs with true inductive peaking filters...likely broad in bandwidth and not tunable...but very good sounding I'm sure.

The Buzz EQ retains the inductors on the LF and HF bands, so same kind of deal as the Purple in peaking mode. The biggest difference is in Tims use of the Steve Dove C.A.P.S active midrange filter circuit (which works well with the swinging inputs topology, hence my guess). Buzz does 3-bands but covers more frequency range. Variable Q too.

Buzz has Class A opamps and Lundahl transformers. Purple has Class-AB KDJ amps and their Cinemag transformer.

So really its down to which kind of GOOD do you want. Something with 4-bands or something more tunable?

They both appear to be what I would call a simple and pure EQ design, although Tim may not be using the swinging inputs topology.
Good shit for sure.

-T

Thanks for giving us the skinny!!

Just got an Action comp and am digging it. I am looking for an eq next, and both of these, buzz and the purp, look very interesting.

[NathanEldred]

I've finally been able compared them both, they have a different character and are definitely complementary.

[GYang]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

I've finally been able compared them both, they have a different character and are definitely complementary.

Are you able to sell them both

[Brent]

Rise!!!!

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by GYang

Are you able to sell them both

Why, yes I am.

[BLueROom]

I've had both in my rack, first the ODD and now the Tonic. The ODD is a 'nice' EQ. It doesn't do anything nasty and it doesn't do anything to make you go "wow". The low end seemed to be it's strong suit ...nice and warm and it stayed fairly tight with good extension. The top end is OK, worked well but didn't put a smile on my face. I personally think the boost/cut bandwidth is too narrow in the midrange; they just weren't sitting well with me and I tended to use them to cut more than to boost. It's a fine EQ, don't get me wrong, but it's wasn't doing it for me. I tend to stick with things that put an instant smile on my face and that tend to have that certain mojo. The Tonic, on the other hand, did that for me.

What I like about the Tonic is that it has more 'grip' or 'grab'. The ODD seemed to pull the top layer of skin while the Tonic pinched an inch of fat before it pulled. The Tonic has a SUPER versatile midrange sweep that I find amazingly useful and colorful. I used it to dial in just the right thud for a snare and also for digging into a lifeless distorted guitar track and pulling out some flavor. The top end is nice as well. It's not as clean and airy as my EM-PEQ but it wasn't harsh either. I'll say the top has character... could that be more vague? I added some top end with the 5k selected, after a Distressor, on the snare track and I was able to sneak in a nice bite that didn't make my hihat kick my ass. So, I'm sticking with my Tonic and I couldn't be happier to have it in the arsenal. It, paired with the A-Designs EM-PEQ, really cover a lot of bases... and well. I have to say, I'm surprised the Tonic is not hyped more around here. It seems to be just off the radar. I'll bet that doesn't last too long. It's up there with the best EQs for the 500 series and the price is right in the middle.

Thumbs up for both the ODD and the Tonic ... the Tonic was just the right EQ for me out of the 2. Buzz Audio has my attention now.

[BLueROom]

bump for some great EQs

[Tim Farrant]

In answer to the question about swinging inputs, yes the Tonic does use this topology on all 3 bands - in fact all EQ's we make use it.

Thanks to Steve Dove for your enlightening articles on equalization.

Tim