Warm Audio EQP-WA Single Channel Tube Equaliser

Warm Audio EQP-WA Single Channel Tube Equaliser

The EQP-WA is a re-creation of the Pultec EQP-1A, the most renowned tube Equalizer in studio history. Not only does the look and feel of the EQP-WA match the classic Pultec units, but the sonic quality has been carefully considered by using top-end components such as CineMag transformers and premium tubes.

This fully discrete Tube EQ can pull euphoric sonics from any track and bring a brilliance and luster to mixes that are nearly impossible to achieve inside the box. The EQP-WA redefines the industry standard by bringing a fully professional-grade equalizer to the market at a price that's just as remarkable as the unit.

Warm Audio's goal was to make an equalizer affordable for the first time, without compromising the quality and design parameters that make this type of equalizer so desirable.

Hardware Controls - Front Panel

Bypass Switch

Located on the bottom left-hand side of the faceplate is the bypass toggle switch. This switch engages or disengages the equalizer section of the EQP-WA. By design, it is not a true bypass; but merely takes the EQ circuitry out of the audio path. More on this is discussed later in the manual.

Power Switch and indicator bulb

Located on the bottom right-hand side of the faceplate is the mains power toggle switch. This turns the unit on, and power will be indicated by the adjacent power indicator bulb.

Boost and Cut - Low Frequency' selector

The rotary switch selects a frequency in the low to lower midrange bands for boost, cut, or even simultaneous boost and cut to create a desired texture effect to the selected band.

Low-Frequency Control

'Boost' (low frequency)

Controls the amount of gain applied to the band selected by the low-frequency selector with a range from zero (unity gain) to +12dB.

'Cut' (low frequency)

Controls the amount of attenuation applied to the band selected by the low-frequency selector, with a range from zero (unity gain) to -18dB.

High-Frequency Control

Bandwidth

The bandwidth knob varies the width of the high-frequency boost and cut controls from a relatively sharp Q (affecting the least surrounding frequencies) 1o a somewhat brooder Q (affecting a larger area of bandwidth). A sharp Q is considered useful for more surgical work, such as boosting or cutting a specific overhead piea1 or octave of an instrument; while a broader Q is more natural and musical, for gender lone shaping of instruments or program material.

Boost knob

The boost knob controls the amount of boost applied by the high-frequency boost selector, from zero (unity gain) to + 18dB.

Boost High-Frequency Selector

This rotary switch selects the high frequency to be boosted by the boost knob.

Cut knob

This knob controls the amount of attenuation applied by the high-frequency cut selector, from zero (unity gain) to-14dB.

Cut High-Frequency Selector:

This rotary switch selects the high frequency to be attenuated by the cut knob.

Hardware Controls - Rear Panel

Power

The EQP-WA requires a 3-pin, grounded IEC cord, and should ship with the power cord appropriate for the territory in which it is sold. Voltage is selectable between 115v and 230v operation, from the rear voltage selector switch. Power input is via a standard fused IEC power receptacle with built-in fuse access, chassis mounted on the rear of the unit. Power is turned on and off via the toggle switch labelled 'ON/OFF' on the right side of the unit's front panel.

Audio Connections

The EQP-WA has both XLR and ¼ inch TRS balanced inputs and outputs, rear chassis-mounted, operating at line level. Unbalanced connection is also possible via a ¼ inch TS cable. It is not advised to connect both input connectors or both output connectors at once.

Tube Gain Adjust

Located next to the output section, this control provides for approximately 6db of adjustable gain in the tube makeup amplifier, generally between -3 and +3dB. This will allow users to match two units for stereo use with either a test tone or source material; or to match one or two units for unity gain within a particular setup. At fully clockwise (when facing rear of unit), the control is essentially bypassed and the EQ has its original default level. At fully counterclockwise, the EQ will be at full attenuation.

Aside from its technical purpose, this feature allows for some additional creative use. For instance, hotter bus material can benefit from the slightly improved headroom and transparency of pulling down the tube gain lower. Conversely, solo instruments and vocals (acoustic guitar or female vocal, for example) can benefit from the added tube roundness and girth of having the tube gain pulled up higher. As with anything, let your ears be the final judge of how to use this feature.