[Gregory Pastic]

(I began by messaging Bob who suggested I post this on the forum, so here it is so far.  Please offer your experiences with mastering EQs!)

Hi Bob.  I love the forum!  I have a question for you, which I hope you can help me with.  I’m in the market for an analog mastering EQ.  I’m using a Tegeler EQP-1 right now and it’s ok.  In all your years of mastering, which analog EQ would you suggest I consider, both from a cost and a quality perspective.  Can you recommend one where cost is no object, and one that is great value for the money? I couldn’t think of a more qualified person to ask!
Regards,
Gregory

[Gregory Pastic]

Hi, Greg.
Thanks for your kind words. Please tell me more about your application: what kind of music? Are you looking for total transparency, or a bit of warmth or cold box tone?I don’t have a “value for the money” EQ for you….
1- If you want transparency, Elysia makes a very very transparent, equalizer, the Museq, and that’s what I’d recommend if you want transparency.
2) If you want real musicality, and subtle warmth — if the Maselec MEA-2 is still available I’d get it hands down. You may have to supplement it with some in the box digital because the MEA-2 is only 4 bands so it doesn’t have a high pass or low pass. But its bell shape is unique and EXTREMELY musical. No other bell sounds as musical to my ears as that of the MEA-2. And the HF shelf is to die for, at 28 kHz. Subtle and perfect, no peakiness to that one.
3) If you like the tiniest bit of edge without sounding harsh, just a bit more forward and extreme versatility, then I highly recommend the Bettermaker Mastering EQ.
I have the Maselec, I have the Bettermaker and I have the Elysia’s little brother. I wouldn’t part with any of the three and I use each of them for their individual strengths.
Feel free to post this and my reply in the recording forum somewhere. You’ll get some more replies!
Bob

[Gregory Pastic]

Hi Bob,
I get quite a variety of projects to master. Some are home hobbyist recordings, some are pro studio stuff.  Genres are quite varied as well: metal, rock, jazz, acoustic, classical.  And of course, my own recordings which are all minimal mic, acoustic ensembles, in natural spaces. All your suggestions are great, and maybe someday I’ll be able to afford them all…LOL.  I’m leaning more towards a neutral, more transparent sounding EQ rather than something with a lot of mojo.  I was also considering the Millennia NSEQ-2 for it’s twin topology, even though it’s not specifically for mastering.  Any experience with Millennia?
I will post our thread in the forum too, thanks.
Gregory

[Bob Katz]

I had a Millennia NSEQ-2. It’s a terrific equalizer with either a transparent solid state or nice tube tone, but for me the fine resolution of the boost and cut knobs was not fine enough for my mastering needs. But it definitely would make an excellent equalizer for mixing.