Which EQ for my vocal chain?

[Osten Powers]

Hey,
I'm searchin for a good and cheap EQ for my vocal chain (max. 500 $). My chain is SM 7B --> Neve 1272 --> Urei 1176

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Osten Powers

Hey,
I'm searchin for a good and cheap EQ for my vocal chain (max. 500 $). My chain is SM 7B --> Neve 1272 --> Urei 1176

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

The words good and cheap rarely go together well...

For your budget, there's not a lot that would be much better than what you will find on your typical Mackie console.... although the Speck EQ is a step up from a Mackie.

Me personally, I would probably go software with a bundle of URS EQ's or Waves SSL, etc..

[Osten Powers]

Don't wanna go software...maybe I find some used EQ on ebay? You know the SSL SL 502 module?

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

The words good and cheap rarely go together well...

For your budget, there's not a lot that would be much better than what you will find on your typical Mackie console. The Chameleon Labs EQ is actually pretty good, though. The preamp is not on par with your 1272, but the EQ is good for $600-ish.... and the Speck EQ is a step up from a Mackie.

Me personally, I would probably go software with a bundle of URS EQ's or Waves SSL, etc..

[XHipHop]

At under $500 I liked the DBX 242, Aphex 109, TL Audio Ivory (i had the HHB version). The dbx is the best of that bunch though.

I'd also try looking at a racked up Neotek or Trident EQ if you can find it...but maybe a used Toft eq will fit the bill (haven't used the toft but the eq gets pretty high marks).

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Osten Powers

Don't wanna go software...maybe I find some used EQ on ebay? You know the SSL SL 502 module?

I know that it will cost you more than $500 to get it racked up and working...

Why no software?

Anyway, If you want to get something good... you should try and save up a few more bucks and at least get something like a Summit FEQ50. I think we sell those for around $900-ish.

[jdjustice]

software equalizers have come a long way.
you can get a good plugin EQ or three for the price you quoted.

the same cannot be said for a hardware EQ.


if you come around and decide that software is acceptable, consider:

• Sonalksis SV-517mkII EQ (for more of a transparent sound)
• URS 'A' and 'N' series EQs (for some tasty colouration)
• Waves SSL bundle (a seriously good collection of plugins)

these EQs i use daily and i am very happy with them.

i wouldn't even consider an analogue outboard EQ under $1k (except for maybe the Speck, and i haven't heard it).
that's just me perhaps, but i figure, why waste your money on a sub-standard piece of equipment just because it's hardware when there are so many good software choices.

save your money and get a great outboard EQ, or go with one of the excellent software options available.

just my measly opinions of course, and YMMV.


good luck.
~j.d.

[Osten Powers]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

I know that it will cost you more than $500 to get it racked up and working...

Why no software?

Anyway, If you want to get something good... you should try and save up a few more bucks and at least get something like a Summit FEQ50. I think we sell those for around $900-ish.

I saw 2 SSL modules of this type runnin out on ebay for 260 Euro...and a friend of me can rack them up for free I think. Do you know these SSL eq's? Can I compare them with the EQ section of the SSL 4000 G+?

Why no software?
I avoid all digital as far as possible...I only use delay or reverb plugs sometimes on vocals, the deesser plug of waves and the L2 thats all. I mix on my Tascam M 320 and it sounds so warm...I know I can't reach this warm and smooth sound with plugs. I use a lot of samples from records...I'm that crate diggin type of producer...sometimes I play some additional synths...but I always sample my drumsets, loops and souns from records. I cut and arrange my songs with my MPC 2000 and my S950. Another point is the handling...don't like looking at a monitor all the time...

[XHipHop]

Originally Posted by Osten Powers

I saw 2 SSL modules of this type runnin out on ebay for 260 Euro...and a friend of me can rack them up for free I think. Do you know these SSL eq's? Can I compare them with the EQ section of the SSL 4000 G+?

Why no software?
I avoid all digital as far as possible...I only use delay or reverb plugs sometimes on vocals, the deesser plug of waves and the L2 thats all. I mix on my Tascam M 320 and it sounds so warm...I know I can't reach this warm and smooth sound with plugs. I use a lot of samples from records...I'm that crate diggin type of producer...sometimes I play some additional synths...but I always sample my drumsets, loops and souns from records. I cut and arrange my songs with my MPC 2000 and my S950. Another point is the handling...don't like looking at a monitor all the time...

Don't screw up that great vocal chain with those crappy ssl eqs.

Maybe check for audix or calrec modules and have those racked up. Since you're in europe also check for telefunken/siemens/neumann eqs...those seem to be pretty available on your side of the ocean.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Osten Powers

I saw 2 SSL modules of this type runnin out on ebay for 260 Euro...and a friend of me can rack them up for free I think. Do you know these SSL eq's? Can I compare them with the EQ section of the SSL 4000 G+?

Why no software?
I avoid all digital as far as possible...I only use delay or reverb plugs sometimes on vocals, the deesser plug of waves and the L2 thats all. I mix on my Tascam M 320 and it sounds so warm...I know I can't reach this warm and smooth sound with plugs. I use a lot of samples from records...I'm that crate diggin type of producer...sometimes I play some additional synths...but I always sample my drumsets, loops and souns from records. I cut and arrange my songs with my MPC 2000 and my S950. Another point is the handling...don't like looking at a monitor all the time...

Very familiar with those SSL EQ's and it is not an easy job to rack them. Don't assume he will be able to rack them for you.

And.. of course you can reach a warm and smooth sound with plugins.. Your using Waves De-esser, but your afraid to use a plugin EQ? You're already using a plugin EQ and compressor. Don't buy into the plugins don't sound good camp. A high end EQ like the Avedis E27 is something that would be hard to match with plugins... but, the EQ's in your budget will most likely NOT sound better than some very good plugin EQ's. If you want the SSL EQ sound, just buy the Waves SSL... they are very dramatic sounding. Or SSL Duende, which is more in the 9000 series family of sound.

Try some demo plugin EQ's from URS... they're quite capable. FULLtec is warm and smooth.

[defjamm]

if you're on vst there is capable freeware, which is as good as some of the plugins here mentioned. or you could use the vst to rtas software.

[Osten Powers]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Very familiar with those SSL EQ's and it is not an easy job to rack them. Don't assume he will be able to rack them for you.

And.. of course you can reach a warm and smooth sound with plugins.. Your using Waves De-esser, but your afraid to use a plugin EQ? You're already using a plugin EQ and compressor. Don't buy into the plugins don't sound good camp. A high end EQ like the Avedis E27 is something that would be hard to match with plugins... but, the EQ's in your budget will most likely NOT sound better than some very good plugin EQ's. If you want the SSL EQ sound, just buy the Waves SSL... they are very dramatic sounding. Or SSL Duende, which is more in the 9000 series family of sound.

Try some demo plugin EQ's from URS... they're quite capable. FULLtec is warm and smooth.

You are right...thanks for your advise guys I'll try that. Anybody here who worked with the Calrec PQ1549 EQ's? I found it as a do it yourself projekt on "gyraf.dk" and I'm thinking of building this one by myself!

[Osten Powers]

Maybe check for audix or calrec modules and have those racked up. Since you're in europe also check for telefunken/siemens/neumann eqs...those seem to be pretty available on your side of the ocean.

Yeah thats what I wanna hear...you know which neumann / siemens / telefunken EQ's are the best? I'm working at a radio station and they have alot of those modules they wanna trash...I can get them for free I think but I need to know which I should looking for!

Thanks

[Osten Powers]

You know this?

http://cgi.ebay.de/1-Paar-Neumann-W-...QQcmdZViewItem

or this?

http://cgi.ebay.de/Neumann-PEa-High-...QQcmdZViewItem

[XHipHop]

Originally Posted by Osten Powers

You know this?

http://cgi.ebay.de/1-Paar-Neumann-W-...QQcmdZViewItem

or this?

http://cgi.ebay.de/Neumann-PEa-High-...QQcmdZViewItem

I'm not that familiar with that stuff but do a search on here and you'll find a lot about them...the euroslutz know them well.