Hey all,

Looking to get an EQ unit for tracking and mixing. Primarily will be used on vox and guitar but really looking for a swiss army type unit, something very flexible . . . looking to spend about $1500. I do have a API lunchbox that has two open spaces . . . Any suggestions?

thanks

This Sony box right here is great... You get a microphone, a true ANALOG tape machiene, and an EQ for under $50

Ladies and gentlemen, Sender, give it up . . . he'll be here all week

For your Lunchbox, the API 10 band graphic EQ is really easy and quick to make changes to the tones of your sounds and it is more flexable than the three band parametric 550.

The Great River EQ is a really great sounding unit and very flexable. A bit more expensive than you want to go but you get two channels so you could use it during tracking for individual things that need a bit of help and then you could also use it during mixdown if you mix on a board. You could use it on individual tracks or on the whole mix inserted on the master mix bus, almost to master your mix while you are mixing it. So you see there are a lot of advantages to having two channels.

You will find that the majority of people will recommend the Great River. There really aren't any products that offer the same features and sound quality which compare at the moment.

Now, if you want the best EQ, buy a rackmounted AMS Neve 1073 re-issue channel strip. That is the best EQ on earth for tracking, plus you'll get the best mic preamp along with it. Not many people will disagree that the Neve 1073 and 1066 EQ's are at the very peak of the mountain.

Must not be a very high mountain.

Haha, thank you, thank you! heh

On a more serious note.... I defintily would reocmend the Neve 1073 as well. It's a WONDERFUL EQ. You really couldn't ask for a better EQ. However.... I think it might be slightly out of your price range. So you might want to try the Amek Rupert Neve 9098i Channel Strip (you can find one new for right around a grand, and this used on in eBay for 800! http://cgi.ebay.com/Amek-System-9098...yphotohosting). In my opinion, the 9098i is probably Ruperts most under rated EQ.
I'm sure someone is going to beat me for this, but I like the SSL EQ's
....which you can also find in your price range on eBay.
Check out the Manley Massive Passive as well. Really the best thing to do, if possible, is to try and demo the gear, and see what you would like best.

Even better is the Sphere 900 graphic eq... All inductor based and very Pultec like....I think Primal Gear sells a pair for around $1500 racked and powered- Not sure if they have any more though.....


I think you'll find many people that would dispute that- The 1081 eq is certainly much better as far as Neve eq's go.... I love the 1073 pre, and the eq is great, but not MY favorite.

The API's (560 and 550B) are great, the only thing I like them on is kick and snare though (I haven't tried the 550A which may be different). Look at the Great River & Buzz single channel units in your price range (you said $1500). Whatever you end up getting, make sure that it at least has 2 bands of fully parametric midrange (Q, lots of selectable or sweepable frequencies along with cut and boost). Fixed Q, or wide gaps in frequency selection will really limit the EQ's flexibility.

If you have a Great River ME-1NV then the EQ-1NV will be an amazing companion that will give you all kinds of flexiblity besides being an amazing EQ... if you don't have the ME-1NV get one [just kidding]... seriously, if you don't have the ME-1NV then I'd probably recommend the Empirical Labs "Lil Freq". It's a couple bucks more than $1,500, but without a doubt one of the most flexible/useable/easy/musical/sophisticated equalizers I have ever met!!!

Though a matched pair of Speck Electronics ASC-T's wouldn't suck...

Best of luck with your search.

do not want to hijack, but I was offered a pre-owned EAR-Yoshino 825Q equalizer.
I understand it must be an outstanding piece of equipment but other than that I do not know much about it, and would like to know if any of you ever used one. I must say I already own a Millennia NSEQ2, and I was looking for something different (tracking/mixing), say a massive passive (this would cost new like the used EAR)
any suggestions?
best regards
Massimo

i just heard the EAR eq today and it sounds great, although i just compared it to a summit and a specks, but the lows and the highs were just outstanding...
if you can, do a shootout between the MP and the EAR and let us know what you think, cause i´m also in the market for my first real eq
good luck with your search...

any opinions on avalongs eq?

Someone just emailed me offering the last of the new 9098 pre/EQ units for $995 each. In the states, I believe. If you're interested, I'll see if I can find the email.

I will second the 9098 EQ vote. For the money, there's nothing better. Enjoy the sheen and glow features.

Nice on certain things.

Vanilla on others.

Go with the Massive.

Its more versatile.

The EAR is nice albeit a little on the clean side.

Are you going to triple his budget for him?

Hell, go with the GML 8200 while your at it.

Buddy i was responding to Massimo.

For the original poster, i would suggest to save his pennies and pick up either the Great River EQ or that new Lil Freq thing.

Sorry, I didn't read it all. My bad everybody!!!

I stand corrected.

thumbsup

Thanks guys, think I'll save for the Great River stereo EQ . . . or would you save even more for the Manley? Is it that much better? What about their Pultec clones?

If you already have API rack, then a API 550A would be a sweet eq to have.
I like the 550b's for more surgical eq.

Another nice eq with a fine preamp is the Daking pre/eq. Very nice

yes, i'll second that. for $1295 (plus power supply), the Daking would definately be my choice. sounds beautiful and has personality unlike anything else.

Better is not the right word but different.

2 different tools for all kinds if jobs.

Normally i would give the protocol High End Gearslutz answer to get both, but if you need something to start of with the Great River EQ will do fine.

On the Pultec clones thing personally i would pass right now.

now you have 10 diffrent models to choose from..

that's audio.. based on opinions, not on numbers..

I disagree.. Neve 1073 sounds "too" warm ==> muddy for me.

1066 EQ's.. sorry, never used em..

When Neve's are muddy it means they need to be recapped.

A recapped Neve is usually clean and tight sounding.

anyone here working with the BAE e15?

ok learned something.. hum, sometimes I think all gear older than your mom is good

Right now I'm testing an pre/eq (mono channelstrip) from a new small company...

http://www.sky-audio.net/

To make it short: This is one of the best sounding eqs I've ever heard! Very sweet differentiated highs, very powerful and precise lows, good mids.
The strengths are especially the highs and lows. From what I understand it is an improved pultec design. The overall sound is very natural, sounds never harsh or equed. Haven't tested the pre so far.

Andreas

I'm late to the party, but I love the Buzz MPE - that thing is plain great and not too expensive!

Jo