First Hardware EQ for mastering

[Alécio Costa]

Hi,

Can you guys comment on alternatives for hardware EQs?

I have been studying the models below:

a) Great River EQ-2NVMercen. U$2900 / Non. Merc. U$2700

b) Avalon AD2055EQ U$2450

c) Crane Ibis U$3750 ( see it is a favorite among you)

d) Ted Flecther P9 U$3324

Any other suggestions in the 2000-3000 price range?

[Lagerfeldt]

Choice B out of the mentioned.

Or spend a bit more and get this one:
Gyraf Audio - Gyratec XIV

[Alécio Costa]

Updating the list with models and prices:

a) Great River EQ-2NV Mercen. U$2900
MEQ 2NV U$4100 (!!) (eliminated)

b) Avalon AD2055EQ U$2450 (eliminated)

c) Crane Ibis U$3750 ( see it is a favorite among MEs)

d) Millenia NSEQ-2 U$3149,99

e) Ted Fletcher P9 U$2999

GML8200 - GML9500 - Maselec -
Manley Massive Passive- Fairman Tube EQ (all over U$4000!!!)

Any other inputs?

[James Meeker]

Personally I'd go for the Great River or Ibis.

[peeder]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

Choice B out of the mentioned.

Originally Posted by Alécio Costa

b) Avalon AD2055EQ U$2450 (eliminated)

Why did you eliminate the Avalon? Couldn't get it at that price anymore?

I just brought one in (2nd hand for less than that...did I buy the one you wanted? Sorry! ) and while it doesn't have repeatability it's a very fine Equalizer...

[Ben F]

What sort of sound are you after? Clean/coloured? That would be the crucial factor looking at that list. The Ibis is popular but very clean.

[gainstages]

Ibis and Avalon are my two fav's from that list.

[Alécio Costa]

Most MEs did not recommend the Avalon EQ box for mastering tasks. It somewhat has gotten such a bad reputation. Here in Brazil they are very popular.

I have also read that the IBIs has a harsh top end.

I am inclined bettween the Ibis and the Ted Fletcher P9.

But at that last minute.. anything can happen...

[balanceman]

great river MAQ2
or the IBIS.
probably not the P9 - maybe a bit noisy for mastering?

[Alécio Costa]

I See!

[zmix]

Originally Posted by balanceman

probably not the P9 - maybe a bit noisy for mastering?

It's -very- quiet...Here is the S/N spec from the manual...

"NOISE Signal/noise ratio approx 118 dB. (122dB with EQ switched out)"

[Adam Dempsey]

Originally Posted by Alécio Costa

Updating the list with models and prices:

a) Great River EQ-2NV Mercen. U$2900
MEQ 2NV U$4100 (!!) (eliminated)

b) Avalon AD2055EQ U$2450 (eliminated)

c) Crane Ibis U$3750 ( see it is a favorite among MEs)

d) Millenia NSEQ-2 U$3149,99

e) Ted Fletcher P9 U$2999

Any other inputs?

From that list, the Millennia. Beautifully clean and musical, if you don't need to get surgical (Q is 0.4-4.0, and is 1.0 on the low and high bands).

[inlinenl]

I second the NSEQ-2 .... it never let me down while starting out. Thanks to our moderator Jay .. who pointed me in it's direction a long time ago ..

tube and solidstate ... two diff. flavours in one box.

I will have one for sale with the FF mod in the next two months ...

[thermos]

Originally Posted by inlinenl

I second the NSEQ-2 .... it never let me down while starting out. Thanks to our moderator Jay .. who pointed me in it's direction a long time ago ..

tube and solidstate ... two diff. flavours in one box.

I will have one for sale with the FF mod in the next two months ...

That would be a great box. I had a stock NSEQ-2 and really didn't care for it, but I've heard the one with the Forssell mod and thought it sounded great.

[Will1970]

Ibis is a great piece of gear. Very all-round.

Just try to get your two favorites on demo, and keep the one you like most. You have to have the feeling you can work with it..


Holla
Will

[yareck]

Originally Posted by Alécio Costa

I have also read that the IBIs has a harsh top end.

Anything can be said about the IBIS but not the harsh top end tutt IMO, the top end is the only one interesting aspect of the IBIS

GML if you like aggressive, punchy, clean and full, analog sounding

Millennia, if you like very soft, crystal and clean sound.

Curve Bender if you're into rock music, only for colouring with broad strokes.

Massive Passive if you like nice designed 2U in your rack Joking If you like broad strokes, tubey sound, clean and natural midrange and nice deep low end go for MP. It doesn't do everything though.

Avalon, i do not recommend. Sorry, for me it has a little bit cheap sound comparing to the GML for example.

Fairman Tube EQ - never have listened to it but I will buy as soon as I will get money

Great River - I haven't listened, but my friend who has simmilar ear to mine did the test. He was not very excited :-/

Maselec - Soft, millennia style, with some more character. Not ultra-clean but very classy sound. Very good eq.

There is also the Weiss EQ1, it's pretty cool, not such a powerful sound like a GML, but more precission possible. Very good at cuts. However, if I would invest in digital eq I would like to have linear phase option. Much more expensive though.

and finally the winner is.....

Gyraf G14, if you want to have more than equalizer. Very clean sound with the most natural 12 kHz ever, plus a kind of "aura around the sound" makes it top equalizer ever heard IMO. Good for both cutting and boosting. Unbeatable, just only if you want to show your clients that your mastering is really adding a character that they can't achieve with plugins.

Bad news is that Gyraf has to be ordered directly at manufacturer's location in Europe/Denmark. Plus they usually don't have few units on stock and you have to wait 2-4 weeks.

[inlinenl]

Hi Yareck ... back in the house :-)

still have to hear/demo the gyraf one day ... you make me very curious ..

[yareck]

Originally Posted by inlinenl

Hi Yareck ... back in the house :-)

still have to hear/demo the gyraf one day ... you make me very curious ..

Yes, back ))

I'm really wondering why haven't you done this yet ))
Although we have a little bit different tastes..... but still I'm thinking it's worth...

[livingstone]

the G14 is a great eq for sure particularly for the price

i've swaped it for the EAR 825Q 3 4 months ago now and won't go back,
it has a beautifull sheen much more respectfull of the original signal than the Gyraf one,
the parts used in the ear are much better quality too and it's far better built,
but the ear is 3500£ and the gyraf 2600€ so no comparison ...

[inlinenl]

Originally Posted by yareck

Yes, back ))

I'm really wondering why haven't you done this yet ))
Although we have a little bit different tastes..... but still I'm thinking it's worth...

I think you know why .. we want the same Big Black Combo......... with a nice analog M/S controller ...
really should talk to my bank soon :-) ... :-(

[yareck]

Originally Posted by inlinenl

I think you know why .. we want the same Big Black Combo.........

aaah yeah... got the idea

So what can I say?

I have to speak with my bank too

[Adebar]

Originally Posted by thermos

That would be a great box. I had a stock NSEQ-2 and really didn't care for it, but I've heard the one with the Forssell mod and thought it sounded great.

You really have to try it. I don´t need the tube section of the NSEQ-2. The SS section sounds better to me and the Forssell mod brings it a step ahead.

[Adam Dempsey]

Originally Posted by Adebar

I don't need the tube section of the NSEQ-2. The SS section sounds better to me and the Forssell mod brings it a step ahead.

Ditto for us here.

[macc]

I really have an irrational and insatiable lust for that Gyratec G14. It's reaching Wayne's World proportions. It will be mine. Oh yes.... it will be mine.

[Bob Yordan]

Originally Posted by macc

I really have an irrational and insatiable lust for that Gyratec G14. It's reaching Wayne's World proportions. It will be mine. Oh yes.... it will be mine.

+1

[macc]

Hey hey Bob

I know how busy you are, so when you get yours get them to send it to me for testing. Anything for a mate. I live to give.

[Fabio]

Gml
Nseq-2
G14

[Alécio Costa]

Hi, yareck
What is that GT product at your matering rig?
A Vipre?
Thanks fr your tips.

About products: I do not have access to all this gear, so I can not test them.
Here in Brazil we may find Avalon and maybe Crane and Manley.

My budget is for U$2000-U$3000 because when gear enters here, prices almost double!

[matucha]

Originally Posted by Alécio Costa

My budget is for U$2000-U$3000 because when gear enters here, prices almost double!

Now these are the taxes! When I import it is more like 1.25x + $100 to $200 in shipping. As I had always soft spot for Brasil, because of bossa nova and Niemeyers architecture... it seems like no paradise when you like to build a studio from a ground up.

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by macc

I really have an irrational and insatiable lust for that Gyratec G14. It's reaching Wayne's World proportions. It will be mine. Oh yes.... it will be mine.

Me too, but I'm finally getting mine on the 10th of June