Pultec exclusive deal with sweetwater!

[chdrummer]

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/manufacturer/Pultec/?m=Pultec&sb=&pn=

 

[LeSedna]

I have a question (genuine), what makes an analogue EQ so expensive ?

 

[AntonioPetrole]

I have a question (genuine), what makes an analogue EQ so expensive ?

+1

I never really understood the price on these

 

[Kazrog]

Read their about page. Building hardware is expensive. It's even more expensive if you're having to source custom components based upon multidisciplinary analyses of original 1950s era hardware to recreate vintage components that are no longer available.

I have immense respect for anyone building this kind of deluxe, retro analog hardware. It's a very manly undertaking, even if you're not actually MANLEY.

 

[RevoltStudios]

I've actually used many of these and the original vintage models, and while they do impart a character given only by analog, they are WAY not worth the price.

 

[AntonioPetrole]

I guess I should have rephrased my question. I guess it is not so much why are they so expensive, but how is the price justifiable over an eq plug. Honestly as far as hardware an eq unit would be the last thing on my mind

 

[Kazrog]

It's going to depend heavily on what EQ plugins you use, and how much you care about the color of vintage analog EQs in your mix. There's lots of ways to add color to tracks, or to the master bus, etc. A clean digital parametric EQ, or especially a linear phase EQ, will give you the cleanest sound, but sometimes "clean" isn't the tool for the job. There are lots of Pultec clone plugins out there, and I honestly have no clue how accurate any of them are, because I personally have never used the original hardware.

 

[PhilTheBeard]

If I had the cash I would buy one of these in a heartbeat. I love the pulteq eq on just about everything haha. such a great tool

 

[Ben Johnson]

I've been wanting to put together an authentic-ish pultec clone, complete with turret board, but laziness....and I don't have too much I/O to mess around with as much hardware as I'd like.

 

[Melb_shredder]

Now that I own an Analogue EQ.. I can say it's vastly different to an EQ plug. Boosts sound musical as opposed to harsh and out of pace. Cuts sounds less clean but more natural etc. I don't know about $4000 on one for me personally. But even the one I have kicks all kinds of ass (Massenberg clone) and was relatively cheap

 

[Benqbasic]

They are a fairly simple circuit. But custom wound transformers and inductors aren't cheap and would contribute the most to the "build" cost.
Plus the badge on the front cost quite a bit.

 

[LeSedna]

I found this, just to have a look at the number of components into this kind of unit :

http://www.recproaudio.com/diy_pro_audio/pultec_eqp1a.htm

I would say it gives an average cost of 30 to 40 dollars a component (only counting the circuitry ones) give or take if you consider a 4000 unit, all included (tax, R&D, salaries, dealer cut, etc). Considering some of them are common, some others must be expensive. Still looks like the brand name does a lot but still I can understand pro studios wanting the real deal, to get the extra 1% top quality their business is based upon. Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for this kind of things, I just find it hard to believe the cost of this kind of unit is inherently due to the components only.

It reminds me I would be interested in a colored preamp+EQ just for recording vocals

 

[Mikaël-ange]

I suppose many (most maybe?) never used a pultec.
Why those are great? Simply because you can boost a lot with little phase issue.
Not many eq can do that (api 550 and ssl 242 are the other), that why those work great on low end...

Agree for the price comment, vintage unit go crazy price wise...

 

[Notuern]

Just slapping an EQP-1A on crunchy/distorted guitars will make it sound so much better its insane.. of course, plugins are cheaper and really does the job well these days, but i honestly think that the hardware version is worth every dime.

 

[LeSedna]

I didn't wanna go off-topic, obviously there are different prices and qualities from the bottom to the top end of the market, I was just quite curious about what makes the difference in price. I have no doubt they do things well otherwise they would have never gotten famous in the first place, and that it must be sweet for those interested to be able to buy them new, with warranty, and without the hassle of already having to think about maintenance!

 

[BLUElightCory]

Oh man, I just WANT.

 

[chdrummer]

Oh man, I just WANT.

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