Good hardware EQ

[duaneadam]

I think the Manley Stereo Pultec is an often overlooked jewel of an EQ. You won't be able to do surgery with it, but you have good plugins for that anyway. It's low end is somewhat similar to a Massive Passive (thunderous if that's what you need), but to me it's high end is sweeter and more usable. There's no comparison between the hardware and software versions, the hardware is the real deal.

duaneadam

[Musiclab]

9098 eq, is pretty amazing, very versatile

[nethereyes]

The Manley Pultec does sound good but its very limited in its abilities, it is more of a snow shovel than a scapel. The new Buzz EQ looks damn cool for the price I think there was some talk around here about it, I've got their MA 2.2 and love it. The Avalon 747 is a nice piece but kind of the same limitations as the Manley and even cleaner than the Manley.

[Fletcher]

I'm kinda partial to the Great River EQ-2NV... go figure...

[pieter]

Any votes for the API 550b?

[D'Kowmashev]

I must second that great river eq-2NV. I recently got one from Mercenary, and it is really fabulous. I think it sounds really cool, like the Ibis and Massive, but not quite as flexible, so it is quicker for me to get the sound I am looking for. They did a great job when they made this eq. I would be really happy if this were my only hardware eq.

[cdog]

Depends what you want to do... the Manley Pultecs don't sound as big as real pultecs in my opinion, they're cleaner... if you're gonna spend the Manley $$$$ , buy a Massive Passive and you won't regret it.

I also owned the system 9098 eqs and sold them... a little aggresive sounding for my taste, but very powerful. Overpriced also, I think, as just an eq, but the mic pres are really good.

If you want a clean, clear sounding eq and you don't want to spring for an IBIS, I think the Speck ASC-T does a remarkable job for the money.

For a more colored sound - you can't beat API. Chandler makes some pretty sick products too... maybe find a pair of Siemens or Sphere modules or some other such rare gems...

Personally, I like the software you mentioned for clean and surgical eq, I use hardware more for color.

[NathanEldred]

There's some really excellent suggestions on here, the Vintech X73i also deserves a mention too as it is some very nice ear candy IMHO (hey cdog, don't you have a 473?)....it's a nice mid point between color and somewhat clean, depending on how you drive the tranny.

I'm looking forward to the BUZZ Audio mono equalizer as well, should have some soon (possibly with Sowters on the ins and outs).

[Lindell 2nd]

Originally posted by pieter
Any votes for the API 550b?

H e l l YEAH!! $2500 should get you two 550B´s plus a lunchbox

[barforama]

Originally posted by D'Kowmashev
I must second that great river eq-2NV. I recently got one from Mercenary, and it is really fabulous. I think it sounds really cool, like the Ibis and Massive, but not quite as flexible, so it is quicker for me to get the sound I am looking for. They did a great job when they made this eq. I would be really happy if this were my only hardware eq.

I third that then. The Great River EQ-2NV is amazing!!I tried the IBIS, allthough just for a shorter period, at the AES in Berlin and it was nice, but hmmm....didn't really turn me on. I got the EQ-2NV a couple of days ago from Mercenary and it is definatly a keeper. It might just end upo beeing my preferred tracking eq...along side with my preferred pre (MP-2NV)

[Ruudman]

barforama,
have you tried the Gyraf's?

ruudman

[barforama]

Originally posted by Ruudman
barforama,
have you tried the Gyraf's?

No,I have not, but people seem to like 'em. Fairman too. My absolute favourite eq is the Massive Passive. It is truely amazing. It's like "DAMN!!, how can anything sound so good..." ...even boosting 400Hz on kickdrum sounds good on the Massive.
I would like to have both the Fairman and the Gyraf to test alongside with the Massive, though.
I have a Massive Passive, a Millenia NSEQ-2, an ISA215, a Great River, 4 channels of NTP 182-100, 4 channels of NT FI-10 and 2 dual channel Trident A-range re-issues and the one that is most similar in caracter to the Great River is the Massive. And that is quite an achievement if I may say so.