500 Series Program Equalizer ---> Limited Edition!!!

[EisenAudio]

After many requests and much research....

EISEN AUDIO brings you the LILPEQr Program Equalizer for the API(TM) 500 Series modular system. $500 USD







While utilizing solid-state circuitry, the LILPEQr sonic characteristics were inspired by classic tube-based (aka valve) program equalizers, such as the Lang PEQ-1 and Klangfilm RZ062.

- Big sound, small package.
- High and low frequency shelving EQ with minimal controls and major vibe. 12 dB boost/cut @ 5, 10, or 28 kHz, and 20 dB boost/cut @ 50, 80, or 160 Hz
- As simple as it gets: a passive tone control circuit (just resistors and film/foil capacitors ) wrapped around a single discrete, class A transistor amplifier, with transformer-balanced I/O.
- The passive transformer input circuit can be bypassed (by selecting "IN - DIRECT"), for injecting signal directly into the EQ section. While unfortunately resulting in an unbalanced input and less available HF boost, this also yields greater bandwidth and clarity, for instances where you don't want such a distinctively colorful transformer adding its effect.
- Hardwire bypass for better comparisons.
-Fits all API(TM) and compatible (e.g. BAE, OSA, Avedis, A-Designs, Purple Audio) 500 Series lunchboxes and racks - a popular modular format for 40 years and counting. VPR Alliance application pending.


This Limited Edition of 60 units utilizes vintage Marinair/St. Ives LI.31267 line input transformers. These were used in all of the classic 80 Series Neve(TM) consoles and EQ modules (e.g. 8014, 8068, 1073, 3104), and this particular batch was salvaged from some previously cannibalized Neve 8014 console frames. We jumped at the chance to use this unique transformer because of its rich tone, and designed the rest of the LILPEQr circuitry to sound complementary.


$500 USD each. Modules begin shipping the first week of January. ---> To reserve yours, send an e-mail to sales@eisenaudio.com with a) your shipping address, and b) desired quantity of modules. Within 24 hours (excluding sundays), you should receive an e-mail invoice for the total cost. You will have until January 22, 2008 to pay this invoice before we cancel it, and offer your reserved module(s) to whomever is next on the waiting list.


I will try to post better photos, detailed specs, and sound samples between now and then. In the meantime, let the questions begin!


Please note: A-Designs, API, Avedis, BAE, OSA, and Purple Audio are trademarks of their respective owners, where applicable. Eisen Audio is not affiliated with these parties.

[superburtm]

oh crap the bed this looks cool

[gm5k]

she will be mine, OH YES she will be mine

[supaheef]

Man, do I ever need to get on this 500 train...

You mention that THIS batch will be with the Maranair trannies, is there another batch with less special transformers coming as well?

heath.

[tdr]

Originally Posted by EisenAudio

We will try to post....and sound samples between now and then. In the meantime, let the questions begin!

I think those sound samples will answer all my questions

The price point of those is really attractive, I might reconsider making certain future purchase to use this one time only offer.

[pan60]

very nice!

[WTMNMF]

He said "LILPEQr"

[Brad McGowan]

Good job Jens! And love that carpet too. Are those Black Gate electrolytics? Also are there any plans to have a non-limited version using an off the shelf input transformer?

thanks,
Brad

[EisenAudio]

Originally Posted by supaheef

You mention that THIS batch will be with the Maranair trannies, is there another batch with less special transformers coming as well?

No, we were not planning on making any more. It was designed around the Marinair transformer.

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Are those Black Gate electrolytics?

No. The output coupling cap (1000u/16V) is an ELNA RBD Series bipolar - one of their "specifically for audio" products, which sounds quite neutral to my ears. The power supply decoupling caps (220u/25V) are Panasonic FM Series, which I also think sound fairly neutral - more so than the rest of the Panasonic stuff. I've tried Black Gates too, and I don't see the need for them with caps like these at my disposal.

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Also are there any plans to have a non-limited version using an off the shelf input transformer?

No such plans at the moment. I suppose if there was enough demand after this batch I would source more of the LI.31267, or have new ones made.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by supaheef

Man, do I ever need to get on this 500 train...

heath.

yes it is a must:)~

[bgrotto]

Email sent...I'm in. For a pair.

I so can't afford this...

[bgrotto]

Heh. Just noticed you posted that at 4am, Jens. Burnin' the midnight oil on this one, were we?

[drastic]

Aw man, right @ x-mas. Your killin me!!

[pan60]

Originally Posted by drastic

Aw man, right @ x-mas. Your killin me!!

me two :(~
i just cant take the plunge at the moment.
i wish the best for Jens but i hope i am not the only one broke at the moment.

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by drastic

Aw man, right @ x-mas. Your killin me!!

Word.

Tho I'm broke, I'm in for a pr. as well.

I think you're gonna see some choice items of mine in the GS classifieds over the next while...

[TEMAS]

Originally Posted by EisenAudio

- The passive transformer input circuit can be bypassed (by selecting "IN - DIRECT"), for injecting signal directly into the EQ section. While unfortunately resulting in an unbalanced input and less available HF boost, this also yields greater bandwidth and clarity, for instances where you don't want such a distinctively colorful transformer adding its effect.

This is a good idea, especially if these may be stacked in sequence with other outboard.


How broad are the eq curves? Could this be used as a LPF + HPF?

[screamingcatfish]

hope it's not prepubescent....cause i'd like some hair on my lilpeqr.....

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by screamingcatfish

hope it's not prepubescent....cause i'd like some hair on my lilpeqr.....

Ew...creepy...

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by screamingcatfish

hope it's not prepubescent....cause i'd like some hair on my lilpeqr.....

jokes only a gearslut would get...

[TAVD]

Originally Posted by screamingcatfish

hope it's not prepubescent....cause i'd like some hair on my lilpeqr.....

Don't give him any ideas. I don't want to see the xfmr/direct switch relabeled as hairy/smooth.

[mahasandi]

Originally Posted by pan60

me two :(~
i just cant take the plunge at the moment.
i wish the best for Jens but i hope i am not the only one broke at the moment.

ditto

[Isle of Weight]

great deal, but...

Originally Posted by pan60

i just cant take the plunge at the moment...
hope i am not the only one broke at the moment.

I'm afraid not


AA

[drastic]

Email sent yesterday Jens

[EisenAudio]

Originally Posted by drastic

Aw man, right @ x-mas. Your killin me!!

Yes, I know the timing is bad. I've just updated the first to state that you'd have until January 22, 2008 to pay. I apologize for the added anxiety that this missing information may have caused anyone.

I will be posting more details this afternoon (and responding to the many e-mails!). Thanks for your patience!

[drastic]

Awesome! Thanks.

[ToneRanger]

Any other finishes/knob options available??

How about the bypass, does the transformer in/out switch have a middle position to bypass the unit?

More details! De-tails!!

[Chris]

So what exactly would the "character" be? :)

[TAVD]

Originally Posted by ToneRanger

Any other finishes/knob options available??

How about the bypass, does the transformer in/out switch have a middle position to bypass the unit?

More details! De-tails!!

Looks like it's in the middle position in the top picture. Says "hardware bypass" also in the 1st post.

[EisenAudio]

Originally Posted by ToneRanger

Any other finishes/knob options available??

How about the bypass, does the transformer in/out switch have a middle position to bypass the unit?

More details! De-tails!!

All switches have three positions. Bypass is in between the two "IN" modes. No, there aren't any other finish/knob options available.

More answers and information on the way.

[EisenAudio]

Originally Posted by TEMAS

How broad are the eq curves? Could this be used as a LPF + HPF?

Program EQ implies for program material, meaning the whole mix. Unlike channel EQ, which is good for sculpting, the LILPEQr is designed for overall tone control - like the bass and treble knobs on a guitar amp or stereo receiver. It assumes that you've already adjusted the midrange character and relative balance of each instrument in the mix and now you just want to make the entire program brighter/darker and/or bigger/smaller in the most straight-forward, flattering, and texturally relaxed way possible. Of course, this is not to say that you can't use it on individual tracks!

To answer your question directly, the curves are very broad. At full boost/cut the slopes are even gentler than a first order (6dB/octave) high or low pass filter. They start gradually deviating from unity at either side of the 800Hz to 2kHz region and never really flatten out like true shelving would - the response just keeps rising (or falling as the case may be) until the module's bandwidth runs out. ---> This will make more sense once I get my Audio Precision to print out some response graphs. You almost never see 6dB/octave filters in practice, because they;re not very useful; most units employ a 12 or 18dB/octave slope. I would say that unless your goal is to, very gently, simulate a limited bandwidth environment with some analog texture to it (e.g. early recording mediums, transmission lines, etc.), then the LILPEQr will not do you much good as a filter set. Specifically, I often find it useful on a somewhat harsh-sounding digital mix to insert a pair of vibey, analog program EQs on the mix buss, and cut some highs (above 10k) and boost some lows (e.g. near 100Hz) to yield a "tape-like" laid back response. This is not something you'd necessary use filters for, and yet typical channel equalizers would not be very good at it either.

Originally Posted by Chris

So what exactly would the "character" be? :)

Well, it's hard to say. I've already mentioned the sonic benchmarks, namely Lang PEQ-1, but I'm not so cocky as to think the LILPEQr sounds just like one of these $5,000 tube and inductor-based monsters! The LILPEQr sounds sweet enough to serve a similar purpose, but it's no clone.

I think the best description I've come up with thus far is that the LILPEQr sounds like the high and low shelving bands of a Neve 1073 (or 1064, 3104, etc.) EQ section, but much clearer and less opaque. It has the same sort of wide richness (spreading and thickening the lows and low mids), but without the cloudiness. And because the of the short-as-possible signal path the high end and upper mids come out mostly intact, retaining their punch and immediacy. Whereas a 1073 has several more amplifier stages, 30dB of resistive losses, and a bizarre, lossy output transformer, I've found that it tends to slow down certain spectral regions - a certain type of haze that is beautiful when called for, but impossible to get rid of. The LILPEQ has far less of this. The highs are clear, but never harsh, and the lows are thick and overwhelming, but never get squishy or fall apart.

Honestly though, this is all just my own biased impressions. I have spent too much time at the test bench lately (and not enough time in the studio) trying to finish this module. I'm completely confident that it's come out sounding the way I'd wanted it to, or you wouldn't see any for sale here, but I'm waiting for sound samples and user feedback to give a truer perspective.