Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer Review
The Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer is a Pultec type, 2U rack mount with 100% refined analog signal. The equalizer is DAW controllable, and full digital memory capable. The stereo passive equalizer includes a pure analog signal path, low cut/boost, high cut/boost, high boost bandwidth management, and adjustable output levels.
The Pultec-style passive tube equalizer can be linked to a Mac or PC over USB and managed from a DAW plug-in. These permit the saving and recall of presets in addition to parameter automation. That apart, the SPE is hardware out and in, with a 100% analog signal path and high-end audio high quality.
The unit seems elegant and can also be laid out quite clearly. The left part of the entrance panel covers the low frequencies and the right part covers the highs. As you might know, Pultec-style EQs are about simultaneous boosts and cuts within the high and low-frequency ranges.
This method enables you to concurrently increase the good things and attenuate the unpleasantness. Thus, the SPE has Boost and Cut controls for each.
Bettermaker Stereo Passive Parameters
The Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer provides way more flexibility than the basic passive EQ. On the low side, it’s specified with selectable boost/cut frequency centers at 20Hz, 30Hz, 60Hz, and 100Hz. On the high side, you could have a generous selection of boost frequencies at 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 28kHz.
Independently selectable are 2, 10, and 20kHz HF lower frequencies. Bandwidth management is centrally positioned on the unit’s stout faceplate, letting you globally form your curves from sharp to broad. All in all, it’s a really efficient design that behaves and sounds slightly like a classic passive EQ, however with significantly extra sound-sculpting functionality.
In operation, the Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer is easy and intuitive to make use of, and it’s nearly unimaginable to get a foul sound out of it.
Inside Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer
All of the electronics sit on two massive rectangular printed circuit boards, the first of which sits vertically behind the front panel, while the second occupies many of the enclosure’s bottom panels.
The vertical board carries all of the front‑panel encoders, buttons, and LEDs, with the horizontal board housing the elements that make up the digital management circuitry, the equivalent left and right channel analog audio paths, and the inner power provide for the ±15V rails.
As with different Bettermaker products, the boards and their elements are of a very prime quality, and the board format, to our eye, appears impeccable.
All user interactions with the SPE’s analog electronics, whether or not manually from the front panel or from a DAW through the SPE plug‑in, are carried out within the digital domain and are dealt with by a 32‑bit
Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer Design
Taking a modern method to basic designs, fashionable and high-spec elements are chosen for long-term reliability and to assist preserve transient response and the low noise floor required for today’s recording practices.
At the same time, elevated performance enhances the efficiencies and accommodates the pliability required by today’s hybrid studio workflows. Where potential, Bettermaker engineers improve gain resolution and frequency response to ensure most sound high quality.
Stringent computerized instrument bench testing and subjective listening checks each play a significant role in the improvement of Bettermaker gear. And the outcomes speak for themselves.
Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer Sound
The Stereo Passive Equalizer shapes the style of a stereo signal, imbuing it with a richer low end, an extra articulate mid-range, and an open, ethereal high end. Importantly, the low end stays easy – there’s no lumpiness to it, and the high end stays open and clear with no sharpness or brittleness.
Every little thing simply sounds extra-musical and alive popping out the other side. And naturally, with Bettermaker, the plug-in management and immediate recall make it straightforward to build the Stereo Passive Equalizer into a contemporary studio workflow. Engineers can simply deliver rough mixes to clients and return to exactly the identical mix to address their feedback. No approximations or detailed report conserving wanted!
A built-in frequency analyzer throughout the plug-in offers users suggestions on the modifications they’re making and the effects of these modifications. Importantly, its built-in curves match the bandwidth and gain of the particular filters themselves.
In addition, new performance permits users to store and set off thirty-two “snapshots” both manually or through automation. That means a single command can set off full sets of parameters from track to track in a mastering session.
- 100% analog audio signal path
- USB connectivity for Mac and PC
- Low Frequency Boost Knob
- Low Frequency Cut Knob
- Engage Button with True Bypass
- Low Frequency Selector Buttons
- High Frequency Boost Knob
- High Frequency Cut Knob
- Bandwidth Knob for High Boost
- High Boost Frequency Selector Buttons
- High Cut Frequency Selector Buttons
- Gain Set & Reset To Defaults Button
Why You Need the Bettermaker Stereo Passive EQ
In the modern era where everything happens on a computer, having masterful analog equalizers that are still controlled by your DAW is something really needed. Add analog warmth with this classic style EQ both physically and digitally in a matter of seconds.
Besides that, this equalizer will give you support for both mixing and mastering purposes, meaning you will be able to use it completely to shape and finish your tracks’ frequencies. Maybe it is not the most versatile for mastering but definitively will add something that you might be missing if you are doing the whole mastering process in the box.
Conclusion
There is not much to say when we mention the Bettermaker brand. They built their name from the ground and now their units are in the most renowned studios around the world. Compared to the other devices that this brand produces, the Stereo Passive EQ is a tad cheaper which makes it affordable even for home and project studios.
If you have the funds, do not hesitate to try it out. All the time you will be able to test it and return it if not satisfied. Check the links we provided above if you are at the stage of purchasing it!
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