I don't know. Aside from the shelving and/or limited freq boosts on either a previously owned Langevin DVC pre and UA 2-610 pre, I've never had, i suppose, a 'proper' outboard EQ so I am not sure I can really say. I do know that the UA API's sound pretty damn sweet to me, the Scheps 73 sounds better in the highs and mids than waves' older VEQ3 but some how emptier in the low end. I know I love the new UA Pultec mkII and find it markedly improved over the legacy. The most recent, riveting EQ, for me, is the IK Master 432. It is gorgeous. Very CPU hungry but now my 'go-to' mastering EQ, hands down.1176 Collection demonstrated ITB compression has arrived sonically, but what about the mkII EQs? Are they ready to go head to head with outboard? There was a lot of recent buzz about Waves newest 1073 and Nebula, while cumbersome gets it soundwise.
Drew, have you had a chance to try the Slate Virtual Buss Compressors (VBC)? I really like their take on the SSL buss comp (GF-Grey). It has a modded circuit which includes an extra transformer, and I really like the tone. Its different than the UA buss comp, but in a nice complementary way. I also really like the Slate FG-Mu. If you have tried VBC, does the FG-Mu come close to your Vari-Mu?I think the opposite actually. To me, ITB EQ has been usable for a while now whereas I still like hardware for compression, ESPECIALLY buss compression.
Between Massenburg, MKII Pultecs, even the 1081 and Harrison, along with the APIs, I have no issues with ITB EQ, but no plugin beats my API 2500, Smart C2, or Vari Mu.
UA did that too with the Harrison which is modeled on one channel from Bruce Swedien's board.I think Waves is kinda slick how everything they emulate is from someone's personal private collection, or some mod, or something no one but Kravitz has. No one can ever question how close it is LOL
ITB compressors are getting there faster than ITB EQs are. 1176 Collection is the gold standard and 33609 stays on the master bus.I agree the 33609 was a stepping stone for ITB compression, I used it for a mix just a few hours ago. For ITB EQ I use Fabfilter Pro-Q for everything, because it sounds good and got a great user interface. But if I can sacrifice some speed, the new Pultecs sounds very nice. I never liked the Neves so much, but I know plenty of people who do so to each his own I guess. Waves have gotten lots of praise for their new 1073 emulation, but I have not tested it yet.
Equilibrium GUI is exactly what I do not want in a channel eq. I like UAD Helios Type 69 and SW34EQ by HoRNet.UA did that too with the Harrison which is modeled on one channel from Bruce Swedien's board.
I would say the recent UA EQs are plenty good but the best one I've heard is the DMG Equilibrium at the highest quality setting.
Completely agree with Drew. While I have real 1073s and 550a's, I put my hardware muscle into compression. I have 33609s, LA3As, 1176 blackface Rev Es, Retro, ShadowHills, Smart and Summit compression. I do use emulations of Fairchild, LA2A, 33609s and 1176s .. Even the Slate VBC comps on occasion ... But the hardware compressors have not been matched by software ... Yet.I think the opposite actually. To me, ITB EQ has been usable for a while now whereas I still like hardware for compression, ESPECIALLY buss compression.
Between Massenburg, MKII Pultecs, even the 1081 and Harrison, along with the APIs, I have no issues with ITB EQ, but no plugin beats my API 2500, Smart C2, or Vari Mu.
Sorry, missed this the other day.Drew, have you had a chance to try the Slate Virtual Buss Compressors (VBC)? I really like their take on the SSL buss comp (GF-Grey). It has a modded circuit which includes an extra transformer, and I really like the tone. Its different than the UA buss comp, but in a nice complementary way. I also really like the Slate FG-Mu. If you have tried VBC, does the FG-Mu come close to your Vari-Mu?
+1Completely agree with Drew. While I have real 1073s and 550a's, I put my hardware muscle into compression. I have 33609s, LA3As, 1176 blackface Rev Es, Retro, ShadowHills, Smart and Summit compression. I do use emulations of Fairchild, LA2A, 33609s and 1176s .. Even the Slate VBC comps on occasion ... But the hardware compressors have not been matched by software ... Yet.
1176 Collection does it and I can't see it getting much better.+1
Compression is a FAR more complex process compared to EQ, so it's perfectly natural that ITB would match analog EQ first.
I'm sure they will. It's a no brainer for UA to do a new Neve vintage series complete with pre-amp models (using Unison). No question they would make a nice profit on that, so I predict it is a matter of when, not if....I hope they'll go revisite the "classics" (Neve...).
I'm waiting with my wallet open. Just say when UAD!I'm sure they will. It's a no brainer for UA to do a new Neve vintage series complete with pre-amp models (using Unison). No question they would make a nice profit on that, so I predict it is a matter of when, not if.