AGF MEMBERS GEAR LIST, TUTORIAL VIDEOS, PODCASTS, & COMPREHENSIVE BEGINNERS GUIDE

[jim1960]

Equalizers

We’ve all had some experience with equalizers (EQs), whether it be just “low” and “high” knobs on a basic stereo or the kind of graphic eq with sliders that came with some component stereo systems. Equalizers let us target frequencies and adjust their volume.

When it comes to audio mixing, EQs can be tools of enhancement or tools that allow us to repair a recording.

Some uses for equalization:

• Reduce muddiness and/or harshness in mixes
• Introduce air to make tracks breathe
• Surgically remove unwanted sounds
• Carve out places so instruments don’t compete with each other in the mix

Some terms to know:
Frequency is an audible note. When using an EQ, we’re almost always adjusting a range of frequencies depending on the width of the Q.

• Sub Bass refers to frequencies from about 20Hz to approximately 60Hz.
• Bass ranges from about 60Hz to approximately 250Hz.
• Low Mids range from about 250Hz to approximately 1500Hz.
• High Mids range from about 1500Hz to approximately 4kHz.
• Highs are everything about approximately 4kHz.

(Opinions of what frequencies are in what ranges can vary)

“Q” or Quality Factor (bandwith) is the range of frequencies being adjusted. The higher the Q value, the narrower the band and fewer frequencies will be affected. The lower the Q value, the wider the band and a greater number of frequencies will be affected.

Filter is the term used for signal rejection. Filter are usually described as either “low pass” and “high pass,” or as “low cut” and “high cut.” When setting a low pass or high cut filter, all frequencies above the selected frequency will be rejected. When setting a high pass or low cut filter, all frequencies below the selected frequency will be rejected.

Shelf Filters are used to make a track sound more/less bright (by using a high shelf) or more/less bass heavy (by using a low shelf).

Bell Filters boost or attenuate on both sides of a given frequency. The center will be affected the most and the frequencies to either side will be affected to lesser degrees as defined by the Q.

A Notch Filter attenuates a single frequency or a narrow band (high Q number) of frequencies. A notch filter can be used to get rid of a hum or clicks on a track.

A Tilt filter uses a very wide high and low shelving filter with a flat curve that makes it act like a see-saw around a selected frequency. This allows a boost of one end while the other end is simultaneously cut. This allows the user to brighten or darken a track while maintaining the spectral balance of the track.

Bax or Baxandall filters utilize a very wide and gentle Q factor. That broad curve can adjust a larger portion of the frequency spectrum, but the gentle slope gives a more natural sound and minimal phase distortion.


Types of Equalizers

Below are the types of equalizers available. All EQs will fall into one of these categories and some will fall into two categories because some EQs are hybrids. The hybrids make sorting EQs into categories difficult so I decided to simply alphabetize the list instead.

Graphic EQs - Graphic EQs get their name for their visual presentation, which reflects a graph.

Parametric EQs - Unlike other EQ types, Parametric EQ plugins let you adjust not only the gain and frequency of a given track but also the bandwidth (Q).

Semi-Parametric EQs - Semi Parametric EQs only vary from their fully-parametric counterparts due to the lack of complete Q factor control.

Linear Phase EQs - For the most part, Linear Phase EQs work just like Parametric EQs in terms of the different filters and edits you can apply. The key difference relates to how parametric EQs and most analog EQs (also known as minimum-phase EQs) generate a phase smearing effect on edited frequencies. What this means is that frequencies that are boosted or cut become slightly distorted and out-of-phase with the unaffected audio.

Dynamic EQs - The additional parameters available in Dynamic EQs allow them to react to any audio signal above a set gain value, and cut or boost that signal as a result.

Mid-Side EQs - let you adjust the frequency content in the middle or side of the stereo field of your audio project.

Passive EQs - incorporate passive circuit elements, like inductors, to deliver tonal adjustments


The videos in this section run the gamut from very good to barely useful. In many cases only a single demonstration video was available. The are many EQs that do not appear on this list because I could not find a video that demonstrated that particular EQ. I gave preference to videos that had an acoustic guitar demonstration but not all will have that.

If anyone finds a better video for a particular EQ on this list, or if you find a good video for an EQ I missed, please private message me and I’ll add it.

[jim1960]

A Designs Audio EM-EQ2



A Designs Audio EM-PEQ



A Designs Hammer 2



API 5500



API 550A



API 550b



API 560



API Select SR24



API Select SV-14

[jim1960]

Audioscape EQP-A Tube Equalizer



Audioscape MEQ-A Tube Equalizer



Avedis Audio Electronics E12G



Avedis Audio Electronics E27



BAE 1023L



BAE 1066DL



BAE 73EQL



BAE B15

[jim1960]

Bettermaker Mastering Equalizer



Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer



Buzz Audio REQ-2.2 ME



Buzz Audio Tonic



Buzz Audio Zodiak Tilt-N-Filter EQ with BE41 Op Amp/Lundahl Transformer



Chandler EMI TG12345 Curve Bender



Chandler Limited EMI TG12345 MKIV EQ



Chandler Limited Little Devil EQ

[jim1960]

Cranborne Audio Carnaby



Cranborne Audio Carnaby HE2



Crane Song IBIS Mastering Equalizer



Dangerous Music BAX EQ Mastering Shelving EQ



DBX 131S



DBX 530



Drawmer 1961 Two-Channel Tube Parametric EQ



Drawmer 1974 Stereo 4-Band Parametric EQ



DW Fearn VT-5

[jim1960]

Electrodyne 511



Elysia musEQ



Elysia xfilter 500



Elysia Xfilter Stereo EQ

PLAYLIST


Elysia xfilter Stereo EQ - Mastering Edition



Gainlab Audio Empress 2x3 Band Tube Equalizer



GML 8200



Golden Age Premier EQ-73

[jim1960]

GOLY Gravity's Rainbow Mastering Equalizer



GOLY PG Porter Grinder Mastering EQ



Great River / Harrison 32EQ



Great River EQ-2NV



Great River MAQ-2NV Stereo Mastering EQ



Gyraf Audio G23-S Equalizer



Hendyamps Michelangelo



H2 Audio Helios 5011

[jim1960]

Heritage Audio 73EQJR



Heritage Audio LANG Electronics PEQ-2 Passive Program Equalizer



Heritage Audio MOTORCITY Equalizer



Heritage Audio Symph EQ Master Bus Stereo Asymptotic Equalizer



IGS Audio 573EQ



IGS Audio iQ. Inductor Dual-Mono Parametric Equalizer



IGS Audio RB 500 Series ME Stereo Passive EQ



IGS Audio RB 500 Series Pultec Style EQ



IGS Audio Rubber Bands Stereo Tube EQ



IGS Audio Tilt n Bands Stereo Parametric Equalizer



IGS iQ505 500 Series 5-Band Parametric Equalizer

[jim1960]

Interphase Audio Carbon 500 Series Equalizer
Interphase Audio Helium 500 Series Equalizer
Interphase Audio Iridium 500 Series Equalizer



Iron Age Audioworks LH95



Klark Teknik EQP-KT Classic Tube Equalizer



Kush Clariphonic



Kush Electra



Kush Electra 500



Lindell LiNTEC Vintage Program Equalizer



Lindell PEX-500

[jim1960]

Maag Audio EQ2 500



Maag Audio EQ4 500



Maag Audio EQ4M Mastering Equalizer



Manley Massive Passive Stereo Tube EQ



Manley Massive Passive Tube Equalizer - Mastering Version



Maselec MEA-2 Mastering Equalizer



Millennia NSEQ-2 Stereo Four-Band Parametric EQ



Neve 8803 Dual-Channel EQ

[jim1960]

Phoenix Audio Ascent Two EQ



Phoenix Audio Gyrator EQ 500



Phoenix Audio Pivot Tone Channel 500 Series EQ



Pope Audio BAX 2020 'Beast' 500 Series EQ & Drive



Pope Audio BAX 2020 'Classic' 500 Series EQ & Drive



Pope Audio BAX 2020R 'Beast' Stereo Equalizer and Drive



Pultec EQM-1S3 Program Equalizer - Mastering Version



Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer



Pultec EQP-1A3 Program Equalizer - Standard Version

[jim1960]

Pultec EQP-500X 500 Series Program Equalizer



Pultec MEQ-5 Midrange Equalizer - Standard Version



Purple Audio TAV 10 Band Inductor EQ



Retro Instruments 2A3 Tube Program EQ



Rupert Neve Designs 551 500 Series Inductor EQ



Sebatron Spider EQ Valve Equalizer



Speck ASC-V 500 Series 4-Band Parametric EQ



Spectra 1964 STX500 500 Series EQ

[jim1960]

SPL PASSEQ Passive Mastering EQ



SPL PQ Mastering Equalizer



SSL 611EQ 500



SSL UVEQ UltraViolet Fusion 500 Series Stereo Equalizer



Summit Audio FeQ-50 Passive Tube/Solid State Equalizer



Tegeler Audio EQP-1 2-Channel Dual Mono Classic Tube Equalizer



Tegeler Audio MythEQ 500 Series Active Equalizer



Thermionic Culture Pullet Stereo Passive Equalizer



Thermionic Culture Swift Two-Channel Tube EQ

[jim1960]

TK Audio Tk-lizer 2



Tonelux EQ5P 500 Series Parametric EQ



Tonelux Equalux Parametric EQ



Trident 80B EQ 500 Series 4-Band EQ



Trident A-Range 500 Series 4-Band EQ



Tube-Tech HLT-2A Stereo Tube EQ



UnderToneAudio UTEQ500 500 Series Parametric Equalizer



Warm Audio EQP-WA Tube Equalizer

[jim1960]

WesAudio _HYPERION 500 Series Parametric EQ



WesAudio _PROMETHEUS 500 Series Passive EQ



WesAudio ngTubeEQ Equalizer with Digital Recall and Automation



Wunder Audio Allotrope 500 Series Inductor-Based EQ