Overtone PTC-2A EQ

[ukejon]

Just got this old-school, Pultec style EQ plug-in from Overtone:

http://www.overtonedsp.co.uk/download/download_ptc_2a/

The Demo allowed me to try out replacing the conventional EQ and AU Parametric EQ in Garageband with this new plug-in on some of my past fingerstyle recordings. It seems to be a neat tool for mastering. With the Pultec Boost/Attenuation configuration, you can do some very interesting tonal moves both in the low and high end. At the bottom, one has the ability to simultaneously dial in some attenuation to help clarify a bit of muddiness from a richly boosted low frequency. At the high end, the desirable application of shelving above 4k or so to add sparkle to an acoustic guitar track can sometimes be a bit much. Once again, being able to attenuate an adjacent curve creates a very distinctive sound that cuts back on a bit of its tonal harshness--sort of a variation on surgical parametric EQing.

The overall effect is subtle but very pleasing, and I look forward to learning how to use this tool. Even now, it is clear that this plug-in emulation is quite musical and doesn't seem to color the sound in an unnatural way (unless you go nuts, of course and jack everything up to the max). Instead, it offers a nicely nuanced and controlled approach to EQing. I recommend playing around with the demo.

Finally, I had a bit of trouble installing (needed to get multiple files into the right place...which isn't my strength) and got incredibly prompt and useful assistance from Mike at Overtone in London. Even some of my middle of the night emails were answered right away and he was most gracious. Customer service at its very best.

[rick-slo]

The low frequency boost and cut gives a boost to the lower frequencies with less accentuation of the low mids. The Waves Renaissance equalizer does something similar. Give it a demo also if you have the time.

[ukejon]

Will do in a day or two.