Vocal Chain eq

[Docmattic]

Im exploring buying an outboard eq for my vocal chain. I dont want to spend more than about $1500. I dont have 500 series unfortunatly :(

Ive done a little researching and dont know what would be good for tracking. Ive come across:

arsenal audio r24,
speck eq
Rane Deq 60l 1/3 graphic eq
BBS Opal FCS-966
Emperical labs little freq

Has anyone any suggestions?

[strewnshank]

Originally Posted by Docmattic

Im exploring buying an outboard eq for my vocal chain. I dont want to spend more than about $1500. I dont have 500 series unfortunatly :(

Ive done a little researching and dont know what would be good for tracking. Ive come across:

arsenal audio r24,
speck eq
Rane Deq 60l 1/3 graphic eq
BBS Opal FCS-966
Emperical labs little freq

Has anyone any suggestions?

I think the LilFreq is a solid option, being that it has a desser on it, and is fully parametric. You can score a used one for well under 1500. I own a R24 and dig it, but not so much for vocals. I don't think you want to be EQing much during tracking anyway...I know its a dead horse around here, but mic placement and proper gain staging on the pre and the converter should get you 99% of the way there. if not all the way. Maybe a compressor doing a big of work will help as well, be easy does it on the way in if you are in digital-land!

[Docmattic]

ive experimented with mic placement before and foudn what i like. My convertor doesnt ahve a gain control. My pre and comp do. I always findmyself bumping 200hz slightly, making a small cut at 300 and a small bump at about 2k. I know i could use eq in the box, but im just exploring the idea after being told its a night and day difference. so i started looking looking at a graphic eq. (they make mroe sence to me). It might not be worth the money.

[lpkyer]

A Designs EMPEQ + HR500 rack

[imixrecords]

I have a very good original Neve 1073 pre/eq and i never engage the EQ during vocal recording recording. You could always try to save your money and solve the problems in some other way (i.e. mic placement/selection, distance from the mic, baffles, etc). I found it more efficient to leave the EQ and compression til after things are tracked. I do use a Tubetech CL1A compressor during recording but it almost never moves. I also have been using for about a decade now the Orban 526A mono de-esser! The most perfect little machine ever for removing nastinesssss, with some slight mods by a skilled tech.

But if i have to get an EQ, I go for the Pultec EQH-2

[larry b]

I would recommend an ADR (Audio + Design) Vocal Stressor or the Orange County Electronics version of the same piece, as this is one of most fantastic pieces of vocal chain kit i have ever worked with, but they are fairly hard to come by these days.

Speck makes a heck of an EQ, can't go wrong there.

Also, if you like old school gear, the Orban 642B is a great box for the street price that they sell for these days (around $4-600 depending on condition and options). With a few mods they can be on par with EQ's costing thousands more.

[kittonian]

Pickup an A Designs Hammer. Unbelievable for vocal EQ'ing. It's a bit over the $1500 budget but it's dual mono or stereo linkable so you're really buying two eq's. Well worth every penny.