Bettermaker Stereo Passive EQ Pultec Mastering EQ

Overview

• Hardware equalizer for highest mastering demands
• USB connectivity for control via DAW (mac and PC)
• Control of recall settings and automations via plug-in (download from manufacturer's website)
• Hybrid plug-in, which also works without Hardware and provides two additional features (HPF and spectrum analyzer)
• Intuitive operation of the Pultec design oriented EQ
• Detented Lo Boost, Lo Cut, Hi Boost and Hi Cut controls
• XLR In and Outputs
• Robust, noble design in 19" 2U rack format

Technical data

• Max. input level: +24dBu
• Max. output level: +27 dBu
• Nominal audio level: +4 dBu
• Frequency response: 7 Hz - 30 kHz
• 101dB dynamic range
• Low boost/cut frequencies: 20, 30, 60, 100 Hz
• Hi Boost frequencies: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 28kHz
• High Cut frequencies: 5, 10, 20 kHz

For more information please visit the manufacturer's website

Pultec principle

In addition to its noble look, the Equalizer is very clearly laid out and offers the controls for processing low frequencies on the front left and for the treble from 3 - 28 kHz on the right.

Bettermaker relies on a simultaneous Boost and Cut for the Stereo Passive EQ, so there are two controls each for both frequency ranges. The Lo section has four switchable frequencies (20, 30, 60 and 100Hz), while the Hi-Boost offers a total of eight frequencies (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16) and two air bands (20 and 28 kHz). The selection is determined via two switches.

The additional gain button on the Hi-Cut changes its function and sets the output level to +/- 8dB. Pressing it for a longer time resets all settings to the default value. Naturally, the device can also be bypassed - a simple press of the Engage button is enough for this.

Last but not least, there is a control for the quality factor of the Hi-Boost between the sections.

Analog and USB?

As mentioned earlier, there is a USB port on the back that allows you to connect the Stereo Passive Equalizer to your Mac or PC. Audio is not sent or received via this - it's simply a matter of controlling some functions via the DAW of your choice. More precisely, this requires a plug-in that you can easily download from the manufacturer's website. Total recall for different projects and automations for more fine-tuning of your projects - very handy!

But that was not all: the plug-in represents a hybrid and can also be used separately from the Hardware in your DAW. The digital image of the SPE also has two additional features - an activatable high-pass filter with 24 dB/octave and an integrated spectrum analyzer.