Pultec Eqp-1a Vst Download
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The Pultec EQP-1A is renowned for its unique ability to boost and cut the same frequencies simultaneously, thereby creating a resonant shelf. The PuigTec EQP-1A is a remarkable replication of the original hand-crafted unit owned by iconic producer/engineer Jack Joseph Puig (U2, Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga) and heard on dozens of popular recordings by Weezer, Black Crowes and many more. PTC-2A by OverTone DSP (@KVRAudio Product Listing): Overview: The PTC-2A is a vintage equalizer plug-in inspired by classic Pultec style hardware EQs. Separate boost and attenuate controls allow simultaneous low frequency boost and cut to shape the signature sound, while a transformer-coupled tube emulation further enhances the desirable vintage tone. The 200 Best Free VST Plugins Ever. Free VST Plugins are one of the most exciting things about mixing. In the past it was impossible to imagine that so many quality tools could be available at no cost. Today there are more great free plugins than ever before, but the freeware scene is always changing.
Equalization is the heart of mixing besides where you place the faders. If you have a great EQ you can add all kinds of sweetness to the sound of your tracks and it will make for an intangible that means all the difference in the world between bland and high quality. That being said very few analog equalizers are as famous as the original Pultec EQP-1A, for the very reason that it does the job by adding a very special sound to anything you pass through it. Unfortunately the original units cost several thousands of dollars per channel and remakes are not much cheaper. But in the world of ITB mixing there are several options that try to capture the sound of the Pultec. Universal Audio was one of the first major players to go all out and make a really competent Pultec emulation with their EQP-1A plug-in. But the question always arises: does it sound like a real Pultec? More on that in a minute.
The Pultec Pro plug-in is really two plug-ins in one that come with separate modules for the EQP-1A and the MEQ-5 midrange equalizer. I use both regularly. The controls are very simple (as with a real Pultec). You have a low shelving filter where you can boost or cut at set corner frequencies. There is a high peak boost, with variable bandwidth and finally a high shelf cut at selectable corner frequencies. With the MEQ-5 unit there is a low mid peak boost, a low mid to mid cut and a high mid peak boost, all at selectable, set frequencies.
IN USE
So does it sound like a real Pultec? Well I have heard and used a real Pultec and various analog copies of the original and I'd say that no the UAD version doesn't sound exactly like one. But it's close enough in sound that you get similar effects from the material you use it on in the mix as if you were using the real thing. With the plug-in there is a subtle lack of dimension and fullness as compared to the actual hardware. That's not really a problem if you're used to mixing ITB and aware of the usual differences between hardware and software emulations.
If you're fine with working ITB and accept the UAD Pultec on it's own terms it's a wonderful, characterful, software EQ. I find it great for fattening up a bass drum or bass guitar, for taming harshness on electric guitars, for adding a sense of vibe to an otherwise bland track and for making something sound a bit thicker and dirtier when it's too clean and thin. It's really a fine EQ. The drawback is that dialing in too much will usually result in mud. To avoid that is a matter of not using a Pultec on every single track and being careful about how you dial it in. But on the whole I like the sound of the UAD version and I find it goes a long way towards giving some vibe to ITB mixes. I highly recommend it.
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Each and every voice is uniquely different, and therefore each voice presents unique challenges when recording and mixing. EQ is arguably the most effective tool in shaping the timbre and tone of a vocal so that it works correctly within the context of a mix.
Here are the five equalizer plugins that I find myself using most frequently when mixing vocals.
1. FabFilter Pro-Q 2
Pultec Vst Free
In preparation of this series of articles on mixing vocals, I looked through dozens of sessions to see which plugins get the most amount of use in my mixes, and perhaps no single plugin gets more play than the Pro-Q 2. It’s the perfect surgical and subtle tone-shaper. It’s got a clean, transparent sound and a visually stunning user interface, which provides so much great useful information when mixing.
I generally like fixing problems via subtractive equalization before anything else, so the Pro-Q 2 is found as the first insert on many of my vocal tracks. In my sub-aux approach, all vocals are routed to their own aux before reaching the 2-buss, and I often have an instance of this plugin on this aux, as well.
Mix Tip:
Use the frequency analyzer to determine where to de-ess. The stock Pro Tools EQIII used to be my go-to for surgical attenuation, but since I got the Pro-Q 2, it’s now collecting metaphoric dust in the EQ plugins folder. This is mostly because the Pro-Q 2 has a simply stunning frequency analyzer, which I use to gain information about my program material. As I mentioned, each singer is unique, and sibilance will occur at different ranges in different voices. I use the analyzer to determine where it occurs in singers, do some subtle attenuation there, and apply what I’ve learned about the singer when I’m de-essing.
2. Maag EQ4
Available from both Plugin Alliance and UAD, the high end of the EQ4 is virtually unmatched. All of the individual bands (aside from the Air Band) are at fixed frequencies, so it’s not the best option for surgical applications, but for adding color and clarity, and really bringing vocals into focus, I love using the Maag.
Mix Tip:
The Air Band. No other EQ on the market does quite what the EQ4 can do in the high-frequency range. You’ve got five selectable frequency options (up to 40 kHz) and you can really crank the Air Band without your material sounding harsh and unpleasant. If I’ve got a vocal that seems a bit buried and dull, chances are this is what I’m using to fix it.
3. Pultec EQP-1A Emulations
Cobra fi2000 auto tune tuner. One of the most widely used hardware EQs out there, we are fortunate that so many plugin companies have emulated the classic Pultec EQP-1A. We’ve got options from UAD, Waves, IK Multimedia, Avid and others. I’m partial to the UAD version, but there are many serviceable recreations of this Pultec on the plugin market. This is not for surgical applications, but for broad brush strokes, and adding clarity and proximity to vocals, I often use the EQP-1A.
Mix Tip:
On a recent mix, I popped the UAD EQP-1A on the vocal buss and automated the plugin so that it would add an extra 3 dB at 10 kHz during the chorus only. This did a great job of adding excitement and really helped the vocals cut through a dense chorus arrangement.
4. UAD Harrison 32C
There are so many great analog-style plugin options for general tone sculpting duties, but I keep coming back to the UAD Harrison 32C. Modeled after the preferred desk of legendary engineer Bruce Swedien, the 32C has tone for days, but can also handle more precise tasks if asked to. The filters are some of the best you’ll find in a plugin, and the midrange can be pushed pretty hard without becoming unpleasant (depending on the source material, of course.) All of these qualities make the 32C one of the most musical plugin equalizers on the market, in my opinion.
Mix Tip:
On a recent mix, I used an instance of the 32C on my Vocal Buss. Summed together, all of the vocals became a little bit harsh, yet still needed some additional clarity. A gentle cut at 2 kHz and a slight bump at 10 kHz using the Harrison did just the trick. I also like using the 32C after my reverbs. Some verbs seem to need some tone, warmth, or other fixes, and the vibrant-sounding 32C does a great job at these applications.
5. Softube Trident A-Range
Rounding out my favorite EQ plugins for mixing vocals is yet another analog emulation. I find myself wanting to add color, character, and vibe to vocals especially, and the A-Range is a much-used tool in my arsenal. Available from Softube native and for UAD platforms, the A-Range is a meticulously recreated plugin version of the equalizer section found on the famed British console.
Hundreds of rock hits were recorded using the Trident desk, and chances are if I’m working on in-your-face rock vocals, this is the plugin I’m using. Additionally, from a user interface perspective, the sliders offer a nice alternative way of working as compared to the many knob-based equalizers out there.
Mix Tip:
Push this thing. Mangle your vocals with it. Combine the filters with the ability to boost or attenuate 15 dB of gain at each band, and you have a lot of bold sonic possibilities. The Softube Native version has a saturation knob. I love abusing my signals with this thing.
Pultec Eqp-1a Plugin Download
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