In this video, I dive deep into the features and function of the new UTEQ500 equalizer. I also demonstrate how you can replicate the EQ moves of 4 different iconic vintage EQs.
Some amazing stuff! To me the examples sounded pretty much the same, but the UTA sounded a little cleaner to me on the top end and I liked it better, it had the vibe but kept the “air”
They are very different- especially at the 10% of x factor which makes us pay the big bucks for golden age gear instead of working in the box. So im not sure where the uta comes handy… its like a hardware plugin in a sense and in result. Does the curve perhaps but without the magic of the original gear. Not sure when Eric says they are undistinguishable. I could immediately hear the difference even on iPad speakers.
so clearly unless your maybe driving it pretty hard, the saturation of these old units doesn't have as much weight as we give it.. ha I closed my eyes for the whole mix comp, and I had no idea you even switched it haha, I was waiting..
The only problem is you would need to memorize these settings to match these curves or I guess if you got to know it well enough you could kind of know what to do?
Currently specing out my first 500 series outboard gear (first ANY outboard gear actually), and having watched this video, a pair of these UTEQ500 equalizers are absolutely going in there. Taking my time so I can afford all at once a proper 16 slot expansion to my RME Fireface UFX III (looking at the Cranborne Audio 500ADAT or something along those lines). Forgive me if I missed it, and if this is a stupid question, but do these need to be stereo matched? Is that a thing with EQs? I'm new to outboard gear and it's subsequent terminology. "Make sure they're stereo matched!!" is a term I've seen used a lot, but I'm not sure if it only applies to certain pieces of gear. Either way, excellent video!! And thank you!!!!
Would you say that these eq's are still a valid first choice if you never had any of those classics, hence the whole curve matching thing would be a bit less important?
Off topic, but Eric could you please do a video of your process of running pre recorded tracks through your tape machine back into pro tools. I’m just confused about time alignment etc. Would also love a video on your bass guitar mixing, you really seem to nail it
I think the most noticable differences between UTEQ and the vintage units was with the Neve and the Pultec. Having said that, in the case of the Pultec I actually preferred the sound of the UTEQ, maybe not so with the Neve but it was really close. When it comes to a full mix, well sure there might be some differences but they're pretty minor and once again I found that I actually preferred the sound of the UTEQ vs the Vintage units on a full mix. Cool eq. Very interested. It is on my want list now. I have been looking at outboard eq options with flexibility and this is pretty much the essence of flexible.
I just got a few of these. Im blown away lol i will be watching this again. The possibilities are kind of endless and making me realize my idea of Eq has changed and needs some work lol
Hey! Happy to hear you got some!! I had a similar experience when developing these EQs for the console. I learned so much about how EQs work and how to use them. Ultimately, the shape control has become so fundemental in how I think about EQ now that I REALLY miss it when I use other EQs. EV
The UTEQ500 is cleaner than the vintage EQs its being compared with in this video but It does have a sound. It's character is similar to analog tape mostly in that it is predominantly 3rd 0rder and the harmonic distortion increases in the higher frequncies. These EQs are really nice when yu need to boost high frequencies. To my ears, it ends up silkier sounding than digital EQs.
Great great video and examples, I would love to hear Phase alignment in punch distorted guitars, but this UTA device really it's pure EQ power, thanks Eric
I just was inside a Fairman TMEQ Mastering equalizer. When I read the schematic I noticed this (to me) weird way of filtering where the cut signal was the phase reverse of the original boost signal. I thought that it was an interesting design. Great to see a similar idea being used in a modern equivalent!
Excellent video especially with short samples
Some amazing stuff! To me the examples sounded pretty much the same, but the UTA sounded a little cleaner to me on the top end and I liked it better, it had the vibe but kept the “air”
We should get a UTEQ500 plug-in next, for the mortals.
Ideal recipe for a Plug-In🌠⚡
Love the music. Would love to hear an EV album! ❤️❤️. Amazing Eq by the way
The vintage eqs have more mojo but tubes, transformers, and inductors will do that, but this UTEQ500 is incredible, and clean.
✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻
They are very different- especially at the 10% of x factor which makes us pay the big bucks for golden age gear instead of working in the box. So im not sure where the uta comes handy… its like a hardware plugin in a sense and in result. Does the curve perhaps but without the magic of the original gear. Not sure when Eric says they are undistinguishable. I could immediately hear the difference even on iPad speakers.
It looks like it doesn’t have transformers so that would be the mojo difference.
so clearly unless your maybe driving it pretty hard, the saturation of these old units doesn't have as much weight as we give it.. ha I closed my eyes for the whole mix comp, and I had no idea you even switched it haha, I was waiting..
The only problem is you would need to memorize these settings to match these curves or I guess if you got to know it well enough you could kind of know what to do?
Currently specing out my first 500 series outboard gear (first ANY outboard gear actually), and having watched this video, a pair of these UTEQ500 equalizers are absolutely going in there. Taking my time so I can afford all at once a proper 16 slot expansion to my RME Fireface UFX III (looking at the Cranborne Audio 500ADAT or something along those lines).
Forgive me if I missed it, and if this is a stupid question, but do these need to be stereo matched? Is that a thing with EQs? I'm new to outboard gear and it's subsequent terminology. "Make sure they're stereo matched!!" is a term I've seen used a lot, but I'm not sure if it only applies to certain pieces of gear.
Either way, excellent video!! And thank you!!!!
Hello! That's a cool piece of 3-band EQ! Although I'm curious if there are there merits running two in series?
That's NUTZ... I mean maybe the api was a bit honky-er, and there were artifacts in the phase plug-in, but the others... couldn't see for lookin'.
Would you say that these eq's are still a valid first choice if you never had any of those classics, hence the whole curve matching thing would be a bit less important?
great video! But the character of harmonic distortion of those eqs doesn´t matter? Is it all about curves?
Brilliant
my jaw stayed on the floor for the last 42 minutes !!!! this is the most crazy eq I've ever seen, endless possibilities !!!
Off topic, but Eric could you please do a video of your process of running pre recorded tracks through your tape machine back into pro tools. I’m just confused about time alignment etc.
Would also love a video on your bass guitar mixing, you really seem to nail it
Maybe sounded more Neve than Neve 😅
wow pretty insane man
I think the most noticable differences between UTEQ and the vintage units was with the Neve and the Pultec. Having said that, in the case of the Pultec I actually preferred the sound of the UTEQ, maybe not so with the Neve but it was really close. When it comes to a full mix, well sure there might be some differences but they're pretty minor and once again I found that I actually preferred the sound of the UTEQ vs the Vintage units on a full mix. Cool eq. Very interested. It is on my want list now. I have been looking at outboard eq options with flexibility and this is pretty much the essence of flexible.
35:12 Sounds if it is still a bit out of phase. The UTA sounds more organic. Interesting device and great video. ✌️
I just got a few of these. Im blown away lol i will be watching this again. The possibilities are kind of endless and making me realize my idea of Eq has changed and needs some work lol
Hey! Happy to hear you got some!! I had a similar experience when developing these EQs for the console. I learned so much about how EQs work and how to use them. Ultimately, the shape control has become so fundemental in how I think about EQ now that I REALLY miss it when I use other EQs. EV
Thanks Brother I couldn't agree with you more! @@UndertoneAudio-nx1dh
Would you say the UTEQ500 has a sonic signature of its own or is its signature that it can sound like anything?
The UTEQ500 is cleaner than the vintage EQs its being compared with in this video but It does have a sound. It's character is similar to analog tape mostly in that it is predominantly 3rd 0rder and the harmonic distortion increases in the higher frequncies. These EQs are really nice when yu need to boost high frequencies. To my ears, it ends up silkier sounding than digital EQs.
Great great video and examples, I would love to hear Phase alignment in punch distorted guitars, but this UTA device really it's pure EQ power, thanks Eric
I just was inside a Fairman TMEQ Mastering equalizer. When I read the schematic I noticed this (to me) weird way of filtering where the cut signal was the phase reverse of the original boost signal. I thought that it was an interesting design. Great to see a similar idea being used in a modern equivalent!
I have to have one Eric!
Great I want these now damn it!
Very cool EQ!👍