SHIPPING UPDATE;
Due to unexpected demand for the REQ, we currently have a 4 week delivery
delay on all REQ orders, but will work hard to get up to date!
Dec
2011.
We have further improvements
for current REQ-2.2 users, click
here
Chris
Jordan "...the REQ filters seem
to slightly 'change' where certain elements or instruments sit in
the mix....I have never experienced this before with an analog equalizer."
Ed
Littman "The
best way to describe it is that I hear more of the quality of the
instrument in a given frequency range."
We wanted to build an audio equalizer
with the sound of real passive resonant circuits (chokes and capacitors)
but without sacrificing the adjustability and flexibility demanded by
recording and mastering engineers. For many technical reasons this goal
has not been easy to achieve, but after comparing the sound of real resonant
circuits to that of electronically simulated ones, we are convinced this
is how real audio equalization should be. The passive resonant filters
coupled with our True Class A BE40
amplifier technology yields a unique product with exemplary sonic performance
and a new definition of tonality.
CLICK
FOR LARGER VIEW. ACTUAL PANEL GRAPHICS VARY SLIGHTLY
FROM THIS PICTURE
View a brief review
of the REQ from Ed Littman, thanks Ed!
The REQ is a combination of passive filter circuits and active amplifier
stages. Parallel resonant chokes and capacitors form the frequency selective
part of each band and these are coupled into the amplifier stage via the
boost/cut control. The resulting equalisation is best described as "surreal"
and it never sounds hard or harsh. The low frequencies remain tight and
powerful with the high frequencies clear and well defined.
Many other equalizers using passive filters have limited centre frequency
choices, but the REQ boasts 72 different frequencies split over four bands
per channel. The high and low bands can be switched to bell or shelving
mode and the two bell mid bands have two centre frequency ranges. Each
band has a bandwidth
(Q) control and if the high or low bands are switched shelf mode, this
control reverts to a shelf "slope"
control. In addition a passive high pass filter and a variable "saturation"
module are provided. The saturation module converts the REQ into a more
"vintage" sounding unit by adding harmonics to the signal via
the use of a steel audio transformer driven by a "single ended"
old style Class A amplifier (see distortion specs below). The low
frequency response is also altered by the saturation control, depending
on the position of this switch.
The REQ is available in three versions;
REQ-2.2 standard recording version with +/-16dB continuously variable
boost/cut REQ-2.2 MP mastering version with +/- 8dB boost/cut via 23 position
PALAZZO brand switches REQ-2.2 ME mastering version with +/- 8dB boost/cut via 23 position
ELMA brand switches
The difference between the Palazzo switches and Elma switches is the Palazzo
are lower cost but have a heavier "feel" compared to the Elma.
Generally the Elma version is built to order.
All other controls on all versions are switched for repeatability. The
high pass filter of the mastering
version offers smaller steps and varying filter slopes to that on
the recording version.
Taking
a look inside the REQ chassis you will discover a vey high level of engineering
and build quality with modular construction for easy serviceability, high
quality controls, single point power supply wiring, discrete power regulators
for each band - the list goes on and on. Click on the images on the left
to see inside the Resonance Equalizer and discover for yourself why this
product is truly unique and an investment you will never regret!
tracking
and stereo mix bus equalisation
audio
mastering and restoration
post
production sound shaping
No other equalizer
like it in the world.
Fully discrete
hi-bias wide bandwidth differential Class A amplifiers.
Real choke and
capacitor resonant circuits that sound fantastic.
Individual discrete
power supply regulators for each EQ band.
Large easy to
adjust knobs.
High quality long life switches
and potentiometers.
Modular internal
construction for easy future servicing.
Mastering and recording versions.
Unique transformer
saturation module.
Overall and individual
band bypass switches.
High-end balanced input and output
amplifiers.
Input connectors with loop through.
Two output connectors
on each channel.
Rugged chassis
construction.
Frequency Response
Measured with all eq bands ON set flat, Saturation and HPF OFF 5Hz to
125kHz +0.2/-3dB
See graphs in side bar above for
typical eq and HPF frequency response measurements.
Harmonic Distortion
At +10dBu, Saturation OFF 100Hz 0.007%...1kHz 0.004%...10kHz 0.007%...100kHz
0.013%
Saturation ON POS-1 20Hz 1.5%...100Hz 0.07%...1kHz and up 0.01%
Saturation ON POS-2 20Hz 1.5%...100Hz 0.14%...1kHz and up 0.01%
Saturation ON POS-3 20Hz 1.5%...100Hz 0.16%...1kHz and up 0.01%
Saturation ON POS-4 20Hz 1.6%...100Hz 0.17%...1kHz and up 0.01%
Saturation ON POS-5 20Hz 1.7%...100Hz 0.18%...1kHz and up 0.01%
Saturation ON POS-6 20Hz 2.0%...100Hz 0.22%...1kHz and up 0.01%
Maximum Input Level +25dBu Input Impedance approx 20k ohms
