No outboard Eq at all

[AdAudioInc]

I'm getting geared up for a session next week tracking a rock band. Green Day meets Taproot - ish. I'm pretty set for mic pres - GML 8302 (2) - API 512B (1) - Red 8 (2) - Mackie 1604 (16). But I own no outboard Eq what so ever. In this situation tracking and mixing this style of rock - I would love to hear opinions / suggestions on a great 2 channel eq for around $1,000.

I'll be mixing on an O2R - not great, I know - what I want to avoid most is having to go out to an eq while mixing because of the additional D/A - A/D required - I have no outboard conversion either, not much of a slut....

So I'm thinking that if I want a little shine or bass roll off on anything during tracking I'd like to dial it in then to avoid the conversions

Now this post will take a sharp turn - OR comments on weather some good A/D would contribute to a better overall sound than the availibility of a good outboard eq., still in the 1K range.

Thanks.

[max cooper]

How about using plugin EQ's?

usrplugins.com

[AdAudioInc]

I should have mentioned that I'm recording to an AMS Audiofile (AMS-Neve.com) no plugs available.

But thanks for the thought.

[ZEUSS]

You could get a pair of speck ASC T's for that budget. They should be able to do the job great for what you are looking to do.

[AdAudioInc]

Just looked at the Specks @ Mercenary - they seem like a good option, I'll do a search to read more. Thanks.

Others anyone?

[nbutter]

i'm no expert...but having done some searching on this topic, i've got a few suggestions...

unfortunately there is no FMR "Really Nice EQ" offering great functionality in a $500 stereo unit...but there are some cool things around.

first off, i recently got a toft audio designs ATC-2, and I'm really digging the EQ.

it's got some color (emulates the trident a-range, i guess) - but I think it sounds _great_, it's in your price range, and it happens to also include a good stereo compressor (as well as 2 not so hot preamps, but who's counting?). you can run line in and keep the compressor switched out (it's post-eq) to use this as a stereo EQ unit.

the toft is fixed-Q...hence, in part, i guess, the "sound." I don't know whether you feel you need parametric for tracking...

next: the speck ASC. gets very high reviews, and is described as very "clean" - i haven't heard it, but I LOVE my speck xtramix. it's more versatile in terms of curves (lo can be shelf or peak, has one switchable-Q band (lo's or mids) and one fully parametric band (mids)). they are mono units (but you need 2 mono channels, not a stereo eq, right?).

Finally, I have an Orban 622 - 2 channels, parametric, full warm tone, and cost me $300. Worth grabbing if you see one, IMHO, but maybe not something you'd want to run every track through (might be too Orban-y)...









edit: guess y'all beat me to the Speck reference! lol

[junior]

i can second the toft.

btw, they have a dual-channel pre/eq called the afc-2. it's supposed to come in at under $600...

[nbutter]

There's also the TC Electronic 2240 Parametric, which Fletcher calls one of his all-time favorites, and says he'd buy over the Toft 97 times out of 100, in this thread:

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=29736

[toque-eh!]

you only need one EQ... for the bass drum. your challenge is to bedtrack everything else getting the tones you want with mic choice and placement. it can be done. what you need more is some great comps. (IMHO).

have fun and enjoy your sessions!

edit: tc 2240??? ewww.

[toolskid]

I'm not sure what $$-range the Buzz audio Eq comes in at, but its a hell of an equaliser. Subtle and smooth but also satisfyingly extreme if caned, I'd definitely check it out.

[7rojo7]

Aren't there EQs in the O2R? and I'd probably go for the Yomama pres before the Mackies but the mackies have EQs and if you don't smack them too hard should work out in a spot, I'm assuming you don't have a patch bay for some reason, you're going to need a lot of connections. Sounds like it will be a good excersize in mic choice and placement, that's the way it should be anyway. AudioFile has it's own plug ins available, EQ and Dynamics, OMF and PT 4and5 import export, Vocalign, Cedar.
I find that my problem areas are always K and SnUp, I always need an eq, everything else I can normally take pre to track except I like to compress the bass.
There's the Earthworks kikpad that sounds interesting, you can't tweek it but you wouldn't have to. That would leave you the rest to search ebay, there's a lot out there now.
The Toft and a single channel TC Electronics Pre/EQ included, I saw a pair SSL 5000 EQs racked up from audiojunkie (UK) for 7 bills. K & SN!

[Darius van H]

The eq's in the 02R are harsh city gritty........spesh in the hi-end.........avoid at all costs.......i suggest strapping an analog eq over the monitoring 2-buss for a hi-lift then repeating under controlled conditions in mastering......or not.

[AdAudioInc]

Yeah - trying to avoid anything but some small cuts with the O2R eq's. But - you have me curious about the mackie Vs. O2R pre amps now - I have them slated for toms, guess I'll have to do a shootout and report back. I was assuming for some reason that the 1604VLZpro pres would be better than the O2R - newer? Advertising at work? I'll try both and, um LISTEN.

Thanks for all the comments - I'm into the mic placement thing too and will be running back and forth a lot, but I'm probably going to add some Specks to the set up also.

I'll post some notes and MP3ies when finished.

Thanks again.