The best EQ for air

[24-96 Mastering]

The title says it. I currently have the Avalon 2055 as my only EQ in my analog setup and while I like its high shelve sheen, I miss having an anlog EQ that gives me air when I want it. No sheen, no silver, no grittle, just smooth & clean air.

So, what, in your opinion, is the best EQ for air, no other aspects considered?

[PD Hogeterp]

We are using the SPL PQ or the Weiss BW102 EQ most of the times to get some air. I don't know many analog EQ's, but the PQ is just a great EQ for colourig and adding air.. The Weiss is a digital EQ, but also very nice for the job. thumbsup

[heathen]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

The title says it. I currently have the Avalon 2055 as my only EQ in my analog setup and while I like its high shelve sheen, I miss having an anlog EQ that gives me air when I want it. No sheen, no silver, no grittle, just smooth & clean air.

So, what, in your opinion, is the best EQ for air, no other aspects considered?

I find the "silvery sheen" on the high shelf to me is around 10k on the 2055, I'll usually boost 20k, that's got all the air I need.

[inlinenl]

prismsound maselec-mea2 is not that bad .. very clear, straight wire, like a cold winter blue sky in the early morning hours when your biking throug the open fields, used to love the nseq2 ... still use it sometimes ... depends on the track ...

once I did a boost of 5 dB > 19Khz on the Weiss and the "same" on the Prismsound ..... clients right away said ... okay .. please the analogue one ...

but rather nice others out-there ... fairmann tmeq ... ears etc. etc. never heard them .. you should go and check the fairmann .. they have distributor in germany .. close to you I guess ..

and the Gyraf G14 should be "fantastic"

[24-96 Mastering]

Originally Posted by heathen

on the 2055, I'll usually boost 20k, that's got all the air I need.

But I need more. More air!

Seriously though, I preferred the NSEQ-2 (unmodified) for air over the 2055 - then got rid of it because certain things about it bugged me. Now I miss its air ...and am subsequently thinking about buying another EQ to provide just that. I still love the 2055 though...

[Vitaly]

Nightpro EQ3-D Dimensional Equalizer perhaps? There is VST version of it made by BTE Audio. Unfortunately, it is not on the market yet. Great eq though, I use it all the time.

[bmanic]

Nebula3 with a "clean" eq preset where the harmonic distortion is removed. For instance there is a sample of the 2055 where you can easily remove the harmonic distortion (this causes the "sheen" in my experience). This way you get the nice air and shape of the shelf without the sheen.

There is an even much better option coming soon for the same system (Nebula3). Stay tuned.

If you want examples then feel free to post a short clip where you want some "Air" added and I'll post the results when run through Nebula.

Cheers!
bManic

[finetuner]

i'm really happy with my Langevin Mini Massive (by Manley) for such things.

Manley_Mini Massive

Stepped frequencies up to 27K, selectable shelve or 2 bell curves.
Bandwidth works on shelves as well, which greatly extends the possibilities.

It's clean (no tubes) and the transformers can be switched off, which is how i've set it all the time. You really hear the difference in detail.
Especially in the lows, which aren't too bad either.

Cheers.

[PrinsJan]

Avalon 747 (sixth band 32 khz)

[macc]

I was going to say that but thought I'd get laughed at

It has a sheen though - a nice sheen, but still a sheen.

[inlinenl]

Originally Posted by macc

i was going to say that but thought i'd get laughed at

it has a sheen though - a nice sheen, but still a sheen.

Ha,ha,ha ......... Ha,ha,ha ......... Ha,ha,ha ......... Ha,ha,ha ......... that's a killing joke










.. whatever get's the job done ... even when it's software

[mastertone]

The 20k on my "Jaakko Virtalahde" passive Eq has tremendous AIR.
Plus it looks cooler (blue) than anything else...

[blaugruen7]

i dont intend to hijack this thread.

my musician heart would like know very much what you mastering guys say about the highs of two (i dare to say it) ... plugins do sound to your ears.
1973 and vibeeq from stillwell audio.

maybe someone would like to pm me his opinion...

[Mike Couzzi]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

But I need more. More air!

Seriously though, I preferred the NSEQ-2 (unmodified) for air over the 2055 - then got rid of it because certain things about it bugged me. Now I miss its air ...and am subsequently thinking about buying another EQ to provide just that. I still love the 2055 though...

I use the NSEQ-Forsell with a boost at 21khz.Smooth as silk with no artifacts if the program I'm mastering is good. Great at Hi-res 88khz-96khz.My clients always comment positively on the hi-end.The forsell mod.was well worth the money,it's like a different box now!

[joerod]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

The title says it. I currently have the Avalon 2055 as my only EQ in my analog setup and while I like its high shelve sheen, I miss having an anlog EQ that gives me air when I want it. No sheen, no silver, no grittle, just smooth & clean air.

So, what, in your opinion, is the best EQ for air, no other aspects considered?

Robin! I didn't know you were an Avalon man. But of course, get the 747 sp. Best bang for the money, great sheen on the top end.

[streaky]

Originally Posted by inlinenl

prismsound maselec-mea2 is not that bad .. very clear, straight wire, like a cold winter blue sky in the early morning hours when your biking throug the open fields, used to love the nseq2 ... still use it sometimes ... depends on the track ...

once I did a boost of 5 dB > 19Khz on the Weiss and the "same" on the Prismsound ..... clients right away said ... okay .. please the analogue one ...

but rather nice others out-there ... fairmann tmeq ... ears etc. etc. never heard them .. you should go and check the fairmann .. they have distributor in germany .. close to you I guess ..

and the Gyraf G14 should be "fantastic"

I agree the Maselec 19k shelf....loads of Air!!!!

[24-96 Mastering]

Originally Posted by shredder

I use the NSEQ-Forsell with a boost at 21khz.Smooth as silk with no artifacts if the program I'm mastering is good. Great at Hi-res 88khz-96khz.My clients always comment positively on the hi-end.The forsell mod.was well worth the money,it's like a different box now!

That is an option I might want to try. Having had an NSEQ-2 before (without the FF mod though), I think I would mostly be buying it for the high band, so I'm wondering if there is another unit to give similar (or maybe even "better" air that will also give me something in other ranges that I would use, i.e. that I would feel complement my setup.

Finetuner: i'm really happy with my Langevin Mini Massive (by Manley) for such things.

That looks very interesting. If the text on Manley's web site is to be believed, this is just the unit I have been looking for:
- Clean, airy high band
- Tight (more or less pultec style) low band
- only 1 rack unit high (that is a big plus - rack space is low here)

The only thing that puts me off somewhat is the price. 2700 Euro seems a tad much for 2 bands, considering I can buy a mint condition, second hand Massive Passive or an Ibis for less money. That's comparing apples and oranges, but this feeling that the massive mini is a bit expensive for what you get is purely a gut feeling.

Does anyone know of a unit being offered second hand at the moment?

[MattGray]

Sontec... Sontec... Sontec Goes up to 25kHz but anywhere from 12 - 17kHz is where I usually settle. Btw Burgess is making them again so it's now a viable option again. If you can't justify the big 432 try a 250.

Matt

[macc]

Originally Posted by blaugruen7

i dont intend to hijack this thread.

my musician heart would like know very much what you mastering guys say about the highs of two (i dare to say it) ... plugins do sound to your ears.
1973 and vibeeq from stillwell audio.

maybe someone would like to pm me his opinion...

I'm not a big time ME, but really, they're very poor IMHO

The 1973 sounds average (at best) on an individual track, but UAD 1073 - even the SE - makes you realise how bad it is, even on only a single track. Ringy, scratchy, cheap top end... Personally I wouldn't go near it for mastering, ever. Sorry!

[24-96 Mastering]

Update:

I have ordered a Langevin Mini Massive for testing (I already have the unmodded NSEQ-2) and hope it will arrive in a few days. A distributor has a scond hand model that he will sell considerably under list price, so my concerns that the unit seems a tad expensive for what it does don't apply.

[blaugruen7]

thanks, macc

[macc]

Didn't mean to be rude, just being honest!

[blaugruen7]

Originally Posted by macc

Didn't mean to be rude, just being honest!

me, too!
:-)
really appreciated. rock on!

[OberHeim-Kenobi]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

The title says it. I currently have the Avalon 2055 as my only EQ in my analog setup and while I like its high shelve sheen, I miss having an anlog EQ that gives me air when I want it. No sheen, no silver, no grittle, just smooth & clean air.

So, what, in your opinion, is the best EQ for air, no other aspects considered?

I didn't try that box but i would take a look to :

A_DESIGNS HAMMER

[24-96 Mastering]

Originally Posted by OberHeim-Kenobi

I didn't try that box but i would take a look to :

A_DESIGNS HAMMER

Am I seeing it right on the photos that the inscription on the cut/boost are in 2 dB steps? That would be kind of coarse...

[24-96 Mastering]

Hmm... looking at the pics of the mini massive, the cut/boost seems kind of coarse too.

Finetuner: can you tell me how it handles to those regards?

[OberHeim-Kenobi]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

Am I seeing it right on the photos that the inscription on the cut/boost are in 2 dB steps? That would be kind of coarse...

It is no good for fine adjust and repeat the setting, it is a paint brush, very pleasant to my ears (gearslutz demos). The owners are amazed with the highs freq shine.

[Cellotron]

Originally Posted by MattGray

Sontec... Sontec... Sontec Goes up to 25kHz but anywhere from 12 - 17kHz is where I usually settle. Btw Burgess is making them again so it's now a viable option again. If you can't justify the big 432 try a 250.

Matt

I'll definitely strongly second this recommendation. The high band on the Amek Medici works nicely for air as well.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[thermos]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

Am I seeing it right on the photos that the inscription on the cut/boost are in 2 dB steps? That would be kind of coarse...

Not stepped, it's pots. I have a Sontec and a Hammer. Both insanely great in the air department. Either one you would be more that happy with, but Id pick the Sonec for it's versatility.
Fwiw I had an nseq (stock) and I find both of these boxes far more pleasing. But Ive heard the Forssell mod in action, and it's awesome. You'd be using it for WAY more than just air, I can guarantee you that.

[Riccardo]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

Hmm... looking at the pics of the mini massive, the cut/boost seems kind of coarse too.

Finetuner: can you tell me how it handles to those regards?

It is a passive eq, close your eyes and turn the knobs

Let us know when you get it. I tried it on a couple of occasions and really liked it.