Pultec tutorial - Low-frequency EQ and the Pultec trick

This Pultec tutorial focusses on low-frequency EQ on kick drum and also demonstrates the 'Pultec trick'. The Pultec EQP-1A equalizer is demonstrated in this video using the Rule Tec EQ1A plug-in by NoiseAsh. Check out the Audio Masterclass Music Production and Sound Engineering Course at bit.ly/3W3tpKo
You might notice that the audio is quiet in this video. This is so that the kick drum can reach full level, almost -1 dBTP, without limiting or clipping. There's more information on this in my video on KZbin levels at • How loud would you lik...
0:00 Introduction
1:04 Demonstration starts
1:29 Low-frequency controls described
2:10 Setup in the DAW
3:33 Low-frequency boost and and frequency controls
4:38 Demonstration audio starts - 20 Hz boost
5:46 30 Hz boost
7:04 60 Hz boost
8:28 100 Hz boost
8:50 Looking for the optimum setting
14:52 Attenuation control
16:20 20 Hz attenuation
17:31 30 Hz attenuation
17:48 60 Hz attenuation
18:00 100 Hz attenuation
18:29 The Pultec trick
25:15 Summary and conclusion
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[@edgriggs3544]

I'm just now (finally) learning how to use the Pultec. Your tutorial has the best audio analysis by far that I've encountered on YT. There are other Tubers who use Plugin Doctor (for us math geeks) to show exactly what the curves look like and why they do what they do. Of, course, the bottom line is always "if it sounds good, it's good." Cheers.

[@chiefindisguise]

Love that thuddy/punchy sound that the boost/attenuate combo does. What i find very strange is that when you use the attenuator, it cleans around the 600hz-1000hz range, the kick has a "conjested" sounding quality there that it takes out.

[@stevenleonmusic]

One thing that helped me figure out how to use this was combining it with Bertom Audio's EQ Curve Analyzer plugin before and after the Pultec EQ plugin. It can show you the actual graph of what's happening and you can clearly see the low shelf that happens with the boost knob and the valley that forms just to the right of it when you mess with the attenuation knob.

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

I just purchased the UAD version of this so many thanks for the explanation.

[@STMRecords1]

This is great, thanks for taking the time to do such an in depth demo

[@AudioMasterclass]

You're welcome. DM

[@bettodiniz8131]

This is the best explanation I ever see about it. Thanks so much!

[@AudioMasterclass]

You're welcome. DM

[@EdwinDekker71]

Excellent video. Thanks.

[@JanPanCygan]

Superior lesson, that you!

[@mdue72]

Thank you for the lesson, I'm realizing mixing is meticulous work in progress, and it's great you show how to set levels for comparisons in detail, gonna try the trick on heavier guitars, because they often fill up the room👍

[@andrecabelomusica3699]

Thanx!! Such clear info!

[@AudioMasterclass]

You're welcome. DM

[@TheShpmusic]

When using a plutec and boosting the low frequencies its highly recommend to put a high pass fliter after the eq, since this version eq doesnt have the built in filters. It will clean up the mud..I promise.!!

[@AudioMasterclass]

This applies to all shelving EQs, unless of course you actually want to boost all the way down to 0 Hz. DM

[@ombanisakala7405]

Exactly!!!! Was just thinking about that actually!!! Brilliant observation!!!

[@tonytemple8195]

Yeah, this emulation does muddy up the low mids, a lot. Stopped using it

[@alexrichardson9125]

Thanks!

[@AudioMasterclass]

Thank you very much! DM

[@andthensome512]

On my kik, I start by micing it inside the drum, close to the reso head. Medium dampening. Then, through the Waves SSL E channel strip. About 6db cut around 220hz and 3db boost around 60hz. Then, I add the Waves Puigtec plugin. 30 hz, knob turned to around 6, then to tighten all that low end, attenuate to around 6 on the knob. Then, for attack, set it to 5000 and turn up the knob till I like it.

[@smithandcophoto-video8022]

Thanks for this really good explanation!!! And after this I am looking for your video how to handle the high frequencies using the EQP-1A - can you tell me where I can find it, please? Thank you!

[@AudioMasterclass]

You're welcome and thank you for your comment. As for the high frequency video, the only place it can be found right now is in the future. It's on my list. DM

[@smithandcophoto-video8022]

@@AudioMasterclass Thanx

[@donato77]

@@AudioMasterclass Great video. +1 on the high frequency video request.

[@thefivepoints]

Tegeler Audio EQP1 is what you want valve outboard pultec style eq but it doesn't cost £10,000!

[@Radical_Middle]

UA native version any good?

[@heythere6983]

What I don’t understand is can anyone just use almost any eq to cut a frequency and then use the eq again to boost in a similar fashion, so the only difference would be the pultec tone and one time use?

[@AudioMasterclass]

You can imitate the Pultec trick with any EQ that has multiple bands with frequency, gain, and Q controls. As you say, the difference would be no Pultec tone. Also, you would have more flexibility but sometimes it's easier to use an EQ that has fewer controls and fewer options. DM

[@mdue72]

Thank you for the lesson, I'm realizing mixing is meticulous work in progress, and it's great you show how to set levels for comparisons in detail, gonna try the trick on heavier guitars, because they often fill up the room👍

[@BrentLeVasseur]

Listening on iPad Pro speakers, I can hear a difference at 30 hertz, and it sounds slightly boomy when on. I can hear a difference at 60hertz too and again it seems to give it a secondary resonance making it sound more boomy. At 100 hertz it is adding a harmonic resonance, making it resonate longer and giving it a tonal ‘ring’. At 100 hertz it sounds more tamberal with less thud.

[@jen3800]

you are awesome! love this trick!

[@colinowenuk]

Why is the audio so low?

[@AudioMasterclass]

That's a good question seeing as absolutely no-one else has asked it. It depends on the topic of the video, but some of my videos are very low in level overall because I want to accommodate peaks without limiting, and at the same time balance the level of the demonstrations against the level of the commentary. This video is as high as I could get it without limiting or clipping. There is more information at kzbin.info/www/bejne/joWZiGh7gMSJiqc and interesting comparisons at kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4XbZp6EnL5qfLc

[@MiguelCruz-cm1fe]

Hi there

[@AudioMasterclass]

Hi. I hope you enjoyed the video. DM

[@MiguelCruz-cm1fe]

@@AudioMasterclass Indeed I did, tried to emulate it more or less with EQ and it is very responsive.

[@AudioMasterclass]

@@MiguelCruz-cm1fe Good work. You've saved yourself the cost of (two) Pultecs. DM

[@MiguelCruz-cm1fe]

Yeah, right :-)

[@berndtlindstrom830]

Preferably more tips on stuff that costs 10 thousand dollars, because that's what the common man has in his account. 🤦‍♂️