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Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 11:44 am
by Zarven Kara
Hey guys,

Im in search of a pullet style stereo eq for Mastering but also Kick and Bass duties. Looking a the JLM PEQ. Anyone had any experience with these or maybe the A Designs Hammer, or any other suggestions? Doesn't necessarily have to be tube based.

cheers

Zarv

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 12:35 pm
by The Tasmanian
Amtec PEQ 1-A (now a PEQ 10) - not even sure if they are made anymore?

I've had it up against top maintained Putec's - no race as far as the bottom end is concerned!
The tightest biggest bottom end on anything I have ever used (and it's tube)
Used on every mix since I owned it (8 years or more?)

Never to sell - a desert Island piece :)

EDIT - not made anymore because of lack of the specific transformers, maybe second hand?
But I doubt anyone would sell unless getting out of the business.

If I had to pick between the JLM and the Hammer - I would go the Hammer.
But none of these will sound anything like a pultec.

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 2:33 pm
by Gian
I use a JLM PEQ500, the 500 series ones. I have a pair and think they sound fantastic.

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 4:44 pm
by mylesgm
I have a pair of analog allstars 500 series pultecs and they are great. Use them all the time.

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 5:36 pm
by The Tasmanian
I'll bet they sound nice.
But I'll never be convinced (as far as Pultec comparisons) about getting a monstrous sound out of the puny little transformers in the 500 series - compared to the big chunky iron stuff - combined with voltage, tubes, point to point wiring etc...

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 7:46 pm
by mylesgm
Well they do sound nice and they do the "pultec thing" but do they actually sound like an original pultec? I've no idea as I've never been in a scenario to A/B them. Are they fiddly to use because they are small? Definitely. On the other hand, I built them myself, the parts are matched, the build quality is excellent, and there is zero noticeable difference between either of them in use at whatever setting you choose... I use the tools I have (and can afford) and those are the ones I recommend.

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 8:01 pm
by The Tasmanian
100% agree Myles - all we can do is use the tools we can afford.
And our skillset is always going to be the best gear we can ever have!

..but I do love big transformers, tubes, voltage etc when it comes to Pultec like designs.

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 11:56 am
by Paul Maybury
Hi, something I'd love to see in a 'pultec' program eq is a high pass filter. Maybe two settings, 20hz and 40hz, steep at 20 and shallow at 40.
I can dream.
Paul

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 12:42 pm
by mylesgm
I think the retro does and I agree that is something I'd like too!

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 1:13 pm
by Paul Maybury
The Retro channel strip thing has HPF, but not the stereo PEQ jiggamabob.
The low end shaping of the WE/ Pultec circuit is what I use my Overstayer AMPEQ most for, and like all of these designs, it involves creating lot's of sub 40hz stuff that I just don't need or want. Probably didn't matter too much in the 50's and 60's with limited bandwidth transducers, storage and reproduction but it does get in the way in today's world.
Paul

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 4:02 pm
by The Tasmanian
...yes that flabby low end is the reason why I'm not really into Pultec's - I like it huge but tight.
The Retro stuff is really great - all of it!

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 8:34 pm
by gigpiglet
the manly stereo pultec thing is coooool.
like the above posts - never been in a position to compare it to a real pair.
but it sounds real nice. and its stereo.
ive "nearly" bought one a couple of times - but every time something has come up/ not worked out.

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 11:39 pm
by peat
Paul Maybury wrote:The Retro channel strip thing has HPF, but not the stereo PEQ jiggamabob.
The low end shaping of the WE/ Pultec circuit is what I use my Overstayer AMPEQ most for, and like all of these designs, it involves creating lot's of sub 40hz stuff that I just don't need or want. Probably didn't matter too much in the 50's and 60's with limited bandwidth transducers, storage and reproduction but it does get in the way in today's world.
Paul


Retro 2A3 has a HPF.

Have always wanted one for this exact purpose.

RIght now I use UAD Pultec into UAD Curvebender and get a HPF from the CB.

Plugins though...

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 6:08 pm
by Paul Maybury
My mistake, the 2A3 does have a form of HPF.
Paul

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:24 am
by Lee
Has anyone had experiences with this mob
http://www.recproaudio.com/diy_pro_audi ... _eqp1a.htm

I have been thinking about making one for a while.
Any thoughts?

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Fri Jul 07, 2017 10:32 am
by OPP
Lee wrote:Has anyone had experiences with this mob
http://www.recproaudio.com/diy_pro_audi ... _eqp1a.htm

I have been thinking about making one for a while.
Any thoughts?


I'm curious about this too - anyone dug in?

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 2:17 pm
by waitup
;)

Image

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 5:54 pm
by Zarven Kara
Hey Nick whats it like? Tube or solid state?

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 5:56 pm
by waitup
Solid state. But transformers and discrete. What's it like? like crack.

I should record some audio examples huh?

Zarven Kara wrote:Hey Nick whats it like? Tube or solid state?

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:13 pm
by Text_Edifice
Shhhh...

I don't think the tubes are the magic bit.


Shhhh...

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 11:20 am
by Chris H
Speaking of Transformers and Inductors, I found this site interesting. It may be great info OR it may be misleading.......better minds that mine can be the judge. Probably good for the DIY thread.
http://vintagewindings.com/products/Vin ... EQ-1A.html

....and the original manual for perusal:
http://www.thehistoryofrecording.com/Ma ... Manual.pdf

To my ears, there is a LOT to be said for the solid state version That being said I do love the original. I sold mine years ago when it needed repairs to the HF chokes. The Optro solid state clones I've used for many years are fantastic as well.
And while we are speaking of magic bits, It's worth noting as most here well know, many people, me included, think they are going to have some "super heightened reality audio nirvana moment" when first trying a revered 'holy grail' bit of kit they have saved years for, only to be initially severely underwhelmed and finding it takes more that a few days to unlock the secrets of the particular box you have worshiped in your imagination for so very long and are now feebly tweeking! :ar!

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 1:01 pm
by waitup
I like how when I turn my solid state one on, the left and right are the same level every time :)

Text_Edifice wrote:Shhhh...

I don't think the tubes are the magic bit.


Shhhh...

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 7:29 pm
by Zarven Kara
waitup wrote:Solid state. But transformers and discrete. What's it like? like crack.

I should record some audio examples huh?

Zarven Kara wrote:Hey Nick whats it like? Tube or solid state?


Hey Nick, how many of these have you made and is anyone else using it around the traps?

Re: Best Pultec Style EQ

PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:28 pm
by waitup
Hey Zarven,

Nah, just this one for myself... I don't really have intentions to build for sale.

but maybe...

Zarven Kara wrote:
waitup wrote:Solid state. But transformers and discrete. What's it like? like crack.

I should record some audio examples huh?

Zarven Kara wrote:Hey Nick whats it like? Tube or solid state?


Hey Nick, how many of these have you made and is anyone else using it around the traps?