HP- and LP filters

[MB]

Hi,
I have recently bought a good EQ (Gyraf XIV parallell passive tube) and a Cranesong STC-8 for "all-around project mastering purposes" . I bought them used at a very good price. Now I am looking for a box with very musical High- and low pass filters. Originaly I wanted to buy a Massive Passive but that deal went sour. I guess I don´t need two passive tube eq´s( at the moment).
What other analog filter boxes are common? Basically, I want to be able to:
1. get rid of very low bass (<20 Hz).
2. Smooth out harsh overtones with out destroying the stereo width.

Any recommendations?

Best regards

Martin.

[carlsaff]

Might be worth looking for another Massive Passive. Excellent filters.

[Paul Gold]

I would look for some Neumann modules like the HT75. They won't be too expensive. You might look for the Sweedish state broadcast equivalent. I forget the name of that stuff. I'm sure it's well designed.

[Mastering101]

the High and low pass filters in the masssive are great little tools.

[MB]

I´ll keep my eyes open. Thanks guys!
MB.

[gyraf]

Hi Martin,

The main reason why we did not incorporate HP/LP filters in the G14, is that these functions seems to generally be very good "in-the-box", i.e. in software - at least much, much better than the same software's other eq'ing functions. Might somehow be simple or "cheap" mathmatically :-)

If you want hardware for this, I'd recommend something like the NTP 182-200 boxes - I always loved those.

Locally, you might be able to run into the "Tore Seem" version of these - that's also really good stuff..

Jakob Erland
Gyraf Audio

[MB]

Thanks Jakob!

Now I know what to look for. (I am very happy with the sound of the G14 by the way!)

/Martin

[robot gigante]

Keep the hardware recommendations coming guys-

I for one am not very happy at all with plugin filters and would love to have more hardware options. Stand alone would be great, since I'm covered on the EQ front.

Probably the best sounding HPF's I've used are in my Sphere graphics, but the lowest setting is 50hz, which is too high for mastering.

[Cellotron]

I'll agree with Paul Gold that the Neumann HT75 modules, while having somewhat limited freq selections, do sound really nice - I used to use them occasionally when I was at Europadisk and had access to an SP79 console.

&
I've never used them - but if you wanted to go with other older European modules apparently Vintage City has both the Telefunken W393 (HPF) & W394 (LPF) in stock right now. http://www.vintagecity.de

For modules currently in production there are also the API 215L's -
http://www.apiaudio.com/215l.html

Anyway - in most cases I think you'll find that HPF's & LPF's are much more likely to be found included as options on equalizers and not just sold alone.

In the analog realm if I need filters I tend to use the ones on my Amek Medici's as the slope is fairly gentle and unobtrusive sounding to use. I find if I need more heavy filtering or want to automate the filtering I'll more likely apply them in the digital realm using the Sonoris EQ & LPEQ or the JMS Hi-res EQ.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Lexicondonn]

I have some shopping to do as my studio has about 50k to spend on some upgrades. oNE OF WHICH IS GOING TO BE AN EQ.

Great River
Buzz Audio REQ 2.2
Massive Passive


I want an EQ for recording and mixing. I know this is an old question, but I really need to make the right buy here.

I was looking at the great river but then I read people talking about needing a preamp to make it sound fuller? What the hell is this all about.

Say I want to pass the Bass guitar or acoustic guitar take through an eq for some faty punch or some silky smooth top, And also if I need to use it to mix on to my Tascam DVA 1000 for a little cut here and a boost there. Is the great River Eq good for both or should I go with Massivo.

[robot gigante]

Originally Posted by Cellotron

I'll agree with Paul Gold that the Neumann HT75 modules, while having somewhat limited freq selections, do sound really nice - I used to use them occasionally when I was at Europadisk and had access to an SP79 console.

&
I've never used them - but if you wanted to go with other older European modules apparently Vintage City has both the Telefunken W393 (HPF) & W394 (LPF) in stock right now. http://www.vintagecity.de

For modules currently in production there are also the API 215L's -
http://www.apiaudio.com/215l.html

Anyway - in most cases I think you'll find that HPF's & LPF's are much more likely to be found included as options on equalizers and not just sold alone.

In the analog realm if I need filters I tend to use the ones on my Amek Medici's as the slope is fairly gentle and unobtrusive sounding to use. I find if I need more heavy filtering or want to automate the filtering I'll more likely apply them in the digital realm using the Sonoris EQ & LPEQ or the JMS Hi-res EQ.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

Thanks Steve. I have a Medici and I use its filters for mastering 90% of the time... I just want more options.

And even though this is the mastering forum, I think having quite a few for mixing is nice- I tend to use a little filtering instead of EQ when I can most of the time.

[squeegybug]

I have also been chasing a standalone HPF. Not a common item.

Those APIs are almost $2500 for a pair, by the time you add a frame and PS! And Massive Passive just for low/high filtering is a little overkill I think, for me. Besides, I want continuously variable, not switched.

I used the Klark Teknik DN410 for a while like this, may return to it. The high and low filters work well, but are only 12 dB/octave, not as steep as I'd prefer. Anyway it is readily available and inexpensive on the used market.

I have some schematics graciously provided by a respected commercial EQ/preamp/mixer designer, and am considering breadboarding my own. If it goes well I may speak to him about making this available as either a product or DIY. That circuit is HPF only, 30 to 250 Hz, so might not suit your needs for <20 Hz.

As an option -- what about digital hardware filters? Any reasonable solutions for that?

I checked with ZSys; no dedicated HPF or LPF in their products. Only 1st or 2nd order shelves.

I've considered using something like TC M-One XL just for the filters, but they are also just 12 dB/octave. Anyone used this or something similar?

Steve

[Fat larry]

Originally Posted by squeegybug

I have also been chasing a standalone HPF. Not a common item.

Those APIs are almost $2500 for a pair, by the time you add a frame and PS! And Massive Passive just for low/high filtering is a little overkill I think, for me. Besides, I want continuously variable, not switched.

Steve

Try ebay for the Neumann hpf they are always on there.
Jason

[squeegybug]

Thanks Jason. I haven't found any information on those Neumann filters. Are they stepped or continuous? What frequency range? I assume they are separate modules that have to be racked and powered?

Steve

[lucey]

Originally Posted by Lexicondonn

Say I want to pass the Bass guitar or acoustic guitar take through an eq for some faty punch or some silky smooth top, And also if I need to use it to mix on to my Tascam DVA 1000 for a little cut here and a boost there. Is the great River Eq good for both or should I go with Massivo.

There are other options. TMEQ for example.



The Sphere HPis cleaner then the MP, but both impart a sound. As was said 50 is too high on the Sphere.

The Lil FreQ has a neat HP, although it's more of a tracking/mixing eq. That HP has a slight bump at the knee, very clever.

[yeloocproducer]

Not to let the cat out of the bag too early, but I know Peter Reardon @ Shadow Hills is working on something... very pricey, with mastering filters, shelving, overlapping mids, etc.

[lucey]

Originally Posted by yeloocproducer

Not to let the cat out of the bag too early, but I know Peter Reardon @ Shadow Hills is working on something... very pricey, with mastering filters, shelving, overlapping mids, etc.

Next year ...

[jayfrigo]

When I need a hi-pass, (which is not quite as often as some internet threads would have you believe) I use my Weiss or t.c. 6000. I like analog EQ, but for things like HP and notches, I prefer the high quality digital tools. I can't remember the last time I needed a low pass in a mastering context (converters excepted). It's happened, but man, is it rare.

[DanRock101]

Originally Posted by squeegybug

.......Those APIs are almost $2500 for a pair, by the time you add a frame and PS! .............

Don't count out the API 215L's. They're great for tracking and the 200 series is not superfluous! Thr 225L comps are great as are the ALWAYS superior 212L's! It's a lot of bang for the buck....if you're wanting to really add to your studio!