In this lesson I'll show you how to use the PTEq-1a VST EQ plugin by Ignite Amps. We'll mix a jazzy flavoured project with this modern, free and simple recreation of a classic EQ plugin. The targeted instruments are drums, hats, guitar and piano.
For shaping the frequencies of the sounds, the vintage EQ plays the major role, while Ableton's EQ Eight is used for cleaning up the bottom end and make space in the music. The project is at 100 BPM and written in C minor.
This is the final song
About the PTEq-1a
A Short History
Regarded as one of the all-time best-sounding EQs in the pro audio world, Pultec EQP-1A, was manufactured from 1951 to beginning of 1980s. Almost every studio has at least one piece of this popular gear.
It was and is being used in sound design, mixing, and mastering. Fortunately Pulse Techniques LLC is making new versions of this famous tool. To create the new versions, engineer and scientist Steve Jackson painstakingly recreated the original design with no compromises or enhancements.
The Plugin
PTEq-1 is a top quality freeware Pultec-style passive EQ made by Ignite Amps. The software was featured in the KVR Developer Challenge in 2012.
The plug has some great features:
Three band EQ (low shelf, high peak and high shelf)
On the low shelf we can boost and cut at the same time (using automatic different analog curves)
Dynamic tube stage modeling
Switchable mono / stereo mode
Automatic upsampling for the best quality
Separate input and output level setting
It comes in both 32 bit and 64 bit
Made for Windows and Mac
Equalization Workflow
When the song was complete, I started to put the vintage EQ on the desired channels. During the mixing process I listened to the given tracks both in solo mode and together with the mix and also paid attention not to overdo the colouration with the plugin.
1. Drums
To give presence and air we boost the low and high end of the drums track.
Before
After
Mixing settings:
Utility, volume +5dB
PTEq-1a, low frequency 100Hz 33% boost, high frequency 10kHz 65% boost
EQ Eight, 4x times low cut at 50Hz
Limiter, default
2. Hats
To give additional high content to the drums we need a programmed MIDI hi hat part.
Before
After
Mixing settings
Utility, width 0%
Simple Delay, left time 1ms, Right time 24ms, dry-wet 100%
PTEq-1a, high frequency 16kHz 90% boost
EQ Eight, 4x times low cut at 1.6kHz
3. Guitar
The guitar defines the main tune of the song. It is a transition between high-bass and low-mid frequencies.
For this instrument we are using Ableton's Tension plugin with a Jazz Guitar preset.
Before
After
Mixing settings
Reverb, decay 2.64 sec, size 100, dry-wet 39%
PTEq-1a, low frequency boost 20% and 30% cut at 150Hz, high frequency 4kHz 80% boost
EQ Eight, 4x times low cut at 91Hz
4. Piano
A free VSTi plugin, Piano One is used for the piano track.
Before
After
PTEq-1a, low frequency cut 21% 100Hz, high frequency 4kHz 78% boost
Reverb, decay 4.5 sec, size 100, dry-wet 44%
EQ Eight, 4x times low cut at 73Hz
5. Electric Piano
This comes from Ableton Operator plugin.
Reverb, decay 1.84 sec, size 100, dry-wet 40%
Ping pong delay, default settings with 39% feedback and 37% dry-wet
EQ Eight, 4x times low cut at 350Hz, -5dB cut at 4.12kHz
Master Channel
The master contains a chain of Spectrum, EQ Eight, and a Limiter. All of them are used with the default settings, because this project doesn't required tweaking here.
Similar Plugins (Payware)
There is a wide range of emulations on the market. The UAD runs only with a DSP hardware, but the other products are native ones.
Universal Audio Pultec Passive EQ Plug-In Collection
PSP NobleQ
Waves PuigTec EQP-1A + MEQ-5 EQ
Softube Tube-Tech PE 1C
Native Instruments Enhanced EQ
IK Multimedia T-Racks Custom Shop Vintage Tube Program Equalizer
Nomad Factory Pulse-Tec EQs
Conclusion
So that was our session of equalizing a project with PTEq-1a. We used it on the drums, guitar and piano as well. If you'd like more variety with the EQ selection, I recommend trying out the payware products as well.