Can anyone recommend a decent eq that won't break the bank?

[Liam Judah]

I'm looking for a decent eq to use on signal running into my daw, as well as occasionally on the way out when mixing in my home studio. I'm not really looking for the "cool factor", or something that is more "name" than product. Really just looking for some value in a "first non budget-mixer q".

I do mostly Hip Hop/Rap and some R&B. I currently use a Vt737sp pre for most of my input, and plan to start using a recently aquired 1272 alot more. Might it make more sense to grab a 2nd 737 for stereo eq'ing, or is my money better spent on a lower cost dedicated q (like the Speck ASC equalizers)? Price (under 2K) and quality are my main issues. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

[petermeechanuk]

Have a look at the CLM DB500. Its a stereo/dual mono dynamic eq. As a general eq it's pretty clean sounding which makes it extremely versatile but doesn't give it the WOW factor of some other units. It can be used for very surgical cuts on anything and the dynamic filters are a great bonus.

-Peter

[Dave Martin]

Why not the Speck?

[Wiggy Neve Slut]

Peter... i 2nd the 'expounder' notion.

ITs extremely flexible, musical and surgical if needs be. It aint as pristine as a GML etc but its great EQ for nearly all occasions.

seriously underated EQ IMHO

Cheers
Wiggy

[Liam Judah]

The CLM sounds interesting. Where could one find some info on it (price, where to by in the states, etc.) other than the CLM web-site?

[echorec]

I think the Orban parametrics are quite good for the price. Can be found for very little money on ebay.

[Scott Shane]

Here's an Expounder on eBay.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by G-3
Really just looking for some value in a "first non budget-mixer q".

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

Manley Massive Passive EQ.

Works well going in and coming out.

Its one of the few EQ's that lives up to the hype.

Also its a different sound than the surgical units(which you can do on a plug anyway).

[chessparov]

Also DBX 242 for around $100 used.
It was designed by Robert Orban BTW.

IIRC Jim Williams at www.audioupgrades.com can upgrade it further if you wish to make it even cleaner.

Chris

[jdfoca]

does anyone like the klark-technik dn410 dual parametric? it seems to have all the bells and whistles

[ozraves]

The Speck ASC EQ is a true bargain. I'd suggest getting the one with the output transformer.

[tunesmith]

I recently got a pair of Daking Pre/Eqs and have been in awe of the EQ section ever since. The pre is great as well, don't get me wrong.

I took a BADLY recorded vocal through the EQ and a distressor and was floored at how credible it sounded.

Both of mine were demos and I got them for $1300 each, which is the best price I've seen on them, but occaisionally an older set will pop up on eBay or the DUC or even here.

Tunes

It just hit me that you could probobly get 2 API 550b's for about 2k. I don't think that includes the housing unit, however.

[Bang]

One thing about the Speck that one must understand is that is a very straight forward and clean eq that won't give you the extra harmonic fatness on the lows and upper mid smack that the 1073 and color eqs give. For mastering this is cool, but for tracking and getting this some balls, I like stuff like 550Bs and 1073s and Midas Venice EQ. But if you want it clean, then definitely Speck.
Steve
www.blacklinerock.com
www.bangrecording.com

[oortnyc]

What about that new Z-systems EQ. I know it is digital but alot of Mastering guys are using the Bigger version. Anyone use it?
http://www.z-sys.com/pp_eqm.html

[Liam Judah]

Originally posted by ozraves
The Speck ASC EQ is a true bargain. I'd suggest getting the one with the output transformer.

Has anyone else here tried one? I've seen the stereo pair on the merc site, and am digging the price. Is this the "cleanest" in its price range?