Chris Jordan...
I've had the REQ-2.2ME in use for about a week and I love this thing.
I have found that it affects
program in a way that I can only describe as making the overall end
result sound 'the same, but different'. There are two caveats:
1) Different in a good way.
2) Depending on the program, the REQ filters seem to slightly 'change'
where certain elements or instruments sit in the mix. I could describe
this curious response as a sonically holographic characteristic.
I have never experienced
this before with an analog equalizer. It is something that - if carefully
exploited - might well be used as helpful tool in the process. The
performance of the filters, and especially the Q functions are spot
on. Gutsy when needed, but can be dialed in to convey subtle improvements
as well.
It is evident that Tim and his team have worked long and hard to develop
the frequency selections, stepped values, and front panel layout. Tweaking
this beast is very intuitive - no 'hunting and pecking' to find the
right control.
I know that the saturation
circuit at the output stage was a bit of a design afterthought - but
I have found this feature to be especially useful in adding body the
low end of many electronic and hip-hop productions; music that has been
created solely 'in the box' can really benefit from the transformer
saturation effect to bring the music back to the land of the living.
In particular, setting 1 and 2 are great for doing just this to mixes
which sorely need it.
The I/O switching of different
sections - and overall 'system' bypass provides just the right amount
of flexibility to audition the effect of processing on a song. Again,
an example of well thought out, and implemented design. The
build quality is outstanding; the chassis, rotary switches, and internal
layout (yes I had to pop the hood) are all top notch.
In operation, this EQ gets
really hot - like V8-engine-block hot.... you just know those discrete
class A op-amps are working away like little monsters. If mounted in
a 19" rack, I would recommend to anyone that a full 1RU space be
left open above and below this unit.
This is a fantastic EQ.
It performs superbly as my primary mastering equalizer. Well done, Tim
and company!
August 2009, Foundation
Mastering, London, CANADA
Ed Littman...
I got to tell you this eq is amazing. The best way to describe it is
that I hear more of the quality of the instrument in a given frequency
range. It gives the mix more of a dimension from front to back, kinda
jumps out at you. Right before this email I got blown away when boosting
a mid frequency to warm up an acoustic guitar. It was almost as if the
guitar changed mic position to bring out the better tone. In fairness
I have not heard the Sontec or some other well regarded high end eq's
in my room, but in all my 10 years as a mastering engineer this eq does
it for me in a big way!
May 2009, Ed
Littman Mastering, USA.
