EQ Choice

Unsound · 1st August 2009

Hi guys,

I'm buying my new eq's this week. I've narrowed it down to an API5500 with either a Crane Song Ibis or a Manley Massive Passive. I'll be using the Manley Vari-Mu as my main hardware compressor so my initial choice was the Ibis just to not have 2 Manley units.That might not be a good reason if I have the API also. I've tried them both and like them both but when it comes down to working I have no idea yet how this will fit into the flow....

What would you do?

wado1942 · 1st August 2009

What EQs do you have already?

Unsound · 1st August 2009

None, I've been mastering with software up until now.

Also, I'll be doing primarily mastering on electronic music but not limited to it.

MASSIVE Master · 1st August 2009

I almost can't imagine not having the Ibis... The 5500 is great (got that too), but as a "second" unit when you need that sort of thing.

Ben F · 1st August 2009

For electronic music try the thermionic culture phoenix, It is more suited than the Manley vari mu. They are both vari mu designs. You can get the pheoinx now with a HPF option.

EQ wise the massivo is very nice, unless the mix is really good then you want want something cleaner. It's more a colour box and does that very well- many happy users here. It's good to have 1 clean and 1 coloured EQ (same with compression) so you can mix and match your flavor. The Sontec is king for clean/accurate with a touch of mojo, never used a crane song so can't comment. The Buzz audio is meant to be very close to the Sontec and looks like a real work horse. Don't forget AD/DA converters are also very important when using outboard

Unsound · 2nd August 2009

I'm thinking of the 5500 as a secondary EQ. When it comes to hardware I want different colours. If I want clean I'll go with software. Just trying to decide on the main one and would they be complimentary to the Vari Mu and 5500. I know I need good converters, thanks.

1st August 2009	#1
Unsound Gear nut Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 78 Thread Starter	EQ Choice Hi guys, I'm buying my new eq's this week. I've narrowed it down to an API5500 with either a Crane Song Ibis or a Manley Massive Passive. I'll be using the Manley Vari-Mu as my main hardware compressor so my initial choice was the Ibis just to not have 2 Manley units.That might not be a good reason if I have the API also. I've tried them both and like them both but when it comes down to working I have no idea yet how this will fit into the flow.... What would you do?

1st August 2009	#4
MASSIVE Master Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago (Schaumburg / Hoffman Est.) IL Posts: 2,709 Verified Member	I almost can't imagine not having the Ibis... The 5500 is great (got that too), but as a "second" unit when you need that sort of thing. __________________ John Scrip - Massive Mastering, LLC - www.massivemastering.com Spoon-feed a newb some answer and he'll mix for a day - Get him to think about it and figure it out for himself and he'll mix for a lifetime --- JS

1st August 2009	#5
Ben F Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,748 Verified Member 1 Review written	For electronic music try the thermionic culture phoenix, It is more suited than the Manley vari mu. They are both vari mu designs. You can get the pheoinx now with a HPF option. EQ wise the massivo is very nice, unless the mix is really good then you want want something cleaner. It's more a colour box and does that very well- many happy users here. It's good to have 1 clean and 1 coloured EQ (same with compression) so you can mix and match your flavor. The Sontec is king for clean/accurate with a touch of mojo, never used a crane song so can't comment. The Buzz audio is meant to be very close to the Sontec and looks like a real work horse. Don't forget AD/DA converters are also very important when using outboard __________________ Studios 301

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1st August 2009	#2
wado1942 Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 2,088	What EQs do you have already?

2nd August 2009	#6
Unsound Gear nut Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 78 Thread Starter	I'm thinking of the 5500 as a secondary EQ. When it comes to hardware I want different colours. If I want clean I'll go with software. Just trying to decide on the main one and would they be complimentary to the Vari Mu and 5500. I know I need good converters, thanks.