The Magic of the Pultec EQ: How to use it

[@ArmchairRamb0]

The visual for what the Pultec is doing really helps understanding. Thanks.

[@johncostigan6160]

I use the Pultec in the mix buss, but very gently. I never understood all the two-knob possibilities for individual sources. Thank-you, Chris!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome, John!

[@DEADLINETV]

I love the Pultec style EQ. I use the IK Multimedia one a lot. It's probably the most musical and intuitive EQ I know. Great video Chris!

[@mixdownonline]

The iK Multimedia version is pretty good!

[@DeRaNgEdOfficial]

Yes, it is one of my go-to plugs.

[@jayarecordsofficial]

yeah, IK's 1A & PB

[@TheWillsMusic]

Pultec EQ is no longer a mystery because of you! Thank you 🙏

[@rocnred]

Great stuff, Chris. It is in my vocal chain toolbox template. I use the Pultec>LA-2A>Pultec method on a separate vocal channel, then blend it with the original vocal to get that excellent "cut through the mix" sound. Almost every studio I worked at had at least one in the racks.

[@mixdownonline]

Yes, that's a cool technique

[@stoianmarkov144]

top technique

[@DJRob4Real]

Can you comment briefly what's the secret behind it?

[@davidgardell]

Why has no one responded to this? Smh. So the method they are talking about was made famous by Andrew Scheps and if you search for "Andrew Scheps Vocal Mixing Trick | Get Your Vocals To Cut Through The Mix" you will find a great video showin you how to do this. @@DJRob4Real

[@cali3168]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6SxZqptpalspKM

[@gisellechacon7081]

Out of all the classic tools, this one still eluded me. Thanks to your demonstration I now see that I was listening for the cut in the wrong place (thinking it would be below the boost frequency), and I didn't understand how the high frequency and LP filter controls worked either. Thanks, Chris!

[@NaymitMayne]

This explains so much. What is crazy is that you are working on 60hz but it is boosting and cutting from way higher. Mids like you said. I’m glad you made this because the eq never made sense to me when I used it. Now I know that 60hz is really around 1k. Sorry the graph is hard to read I’m on a phone need to watch this again on a computer. Thanks

[@siriusfun]

I use the UAD cartoons regularly and have since 2004. Fantastic! I Have a Manley Stereo Pultec that lives on my outboard 2buss that virtually every mix I sum out runs through. Cheers!

[@mixdownonline]

That's pretty nice!

[@Themosaicsound]

The secret is to close your eyes and twist the knobs until it sounds right

[@TonyHavenMusic]

And great way to save a stale marriage, two knob technique also recommended

[@RAGINROSE_]

Mix With your Ears not your eyes 🤌🏼

[@real.demesure]

And pultec is great for this. It have the right bands to shape almost any sounds. Works absolutely great on drums

[@WinItReigns]

And the WiFe I Plug In​@@TonyHavenMusic

[@DJFreaksoul]

Dude i swear this is what i do, It's a very good way to improve your earing skills

[@Lilliputian63]

The best Pultec video I've seen! Saved. Thanks for taking the time.

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks!

[@tkelong3569]

This is literally my favorite eq. I have the UA version. It just has this sweetness to it that I haven’t heard in any other eq. Don’t get me wrong, there are many gReat eqs out there in plugin-land but this one is really stands out.

[@metaldefender49]

Dude try the warm audio hardware its fantastic as a program mixbus Eq

[@metaldefender49]

I put the hardware on the master buss chain and it kills.

[@piotrkanarek]

Wow... this is the clearest explanation on Pultec I have ever seen! Thank you so much! I've got two Warm Audio Pultec clones,, now I fully understand them!

[@SDA-Sound]

your videos are some of the best ive seen. people always use shit music, shit lighting, shit cameras and all I hear is there room haha. you've checked all the boxes here man and I'm a fan!

[@reziahamed9255]

REALLY NICELY put in to correct context Chirs ! Love the way you let us see it thru Plugin Doctor... Nothing will ever sound as good without a Pultec on the Mixbus ! Much Love.. !

[@jackc8120]

What setting do you use for this on the mix bus? Thx

[@mixdownonline]

Check this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXikopisrNyLhMk

[@reziahamed9255]

@@jackc8120 Hello Jack.. :) It always depends on the context as we know... But.. as a universal standard I use the Low shelf on 60/100 CPS with its boost+cut simultaneously to TIGHTEN up the low end , then use the mid bell @ 8k/10k/12 to bring out the glamorousness in the mids & upper mids with a super wide bandwidth (about 8/10). Will only use the Hi-shelf attenuation if things get over boarded in the upper region, but really seldom. Hope this helps... Cheers mate ! :)

[@reziahamed9255]

@@mixdownonline Thanks soooo much Chris - I never miss anything from you ! Cheers ! :)

[@demetriuspatterson9396]

Loved, the detail video. I left your video with a better understanding how the EQ works...

[@RecordProducerRob]

Excellent walkthrough. I have used the UAD version for a couple of years and still got valuable information from this video. Thanks.

[@mixdownonline]

Awesome, thanks!

[@nelsonm_]

Thank u for showing the curve analysis !!!!!

[@rickdeaguiar-musicreflecti7692]

Excellent presentation on the Pultec EQ. Thank you so much. Love your teaching style :)

[@mixdownonline]

That's great! Thank you!

[@RodRokn]

Thanks for the refresher on the Pultec I needed that.

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@maxhst37]

Exceptionally good visualized explanation 👍

[@mixdownonline]

Glad you liked it!

[@got2rock4]

Great tutorial I like the way you highlighted one what is being effected by the knobs. I have waves pultec and presonus pultec and never really fully understood them til your video. Great job 👍

[@JayYarbroughMusic]

Thanks for this, Chris. Just have to say ~ you seem happy in your new studio. Bravo!

[@mixdownonline]

Yes, that's the new place...2 moves in the last 6 months...Video coming soon :-)

[@mikeweber5362]

Great demonstration! Well done!

[@mixdownonline]

Thank you!

[@mravocado1283]

Nice of you to show the EQ curves. The only issue I see with this comparison is that the pre and post pultec signals are not level matched. I notice my UA Pultec already adds like a DB of gain with the default settings. Boosting the lows of a bass adds a lot more. Louder will always sound better. So you have to level match to see if the EQ is really adding something you like.

[@KitKalvert]

Chris I love your videos. I have to bring to your attention though; that using UAD plugins that Oversample should NOT be used on the the Mixbus, UNLESS the plugin has a Mix Blend function to bring back to original audio bandwidth. Please refer to the UAD Plugin manual Appendix to confirm this. I Just learned this from the manual. Hope this helps guys!

[@MakingMadBeats]

Not understanding how the Pulteq EQ really works always held me back of using it. Gonna try this out in my Mixes, again after watching your video. Greatrexplanation, Chris! Thank you so much 🙏😎👍

[@mixdownonline]

You're so welcome!

[@Fabertron]

Thank you very much for this very good Tutorial 💪🏻

[@mixdownonline]

Happy you enjoyed!

[@superfly3438]

UAD pultec eqp1a rocks. I pretty much use the eqp1a on Everything. I've also been adding it to my input inserts while tracking. I'm very okay with the results.

[@mixdownonline]

Cool stuff! Thanks for watching!

[@13Skribbles]

I use the vintage tube eq in Logic Pro I’ve heard it’s actually two different pultec eq’s in one I use it but only as a transparent Now though I will definitely play with the knobs now I know what they do Thanks

[@mixdownonline]

Awesome ! You're welcome!

[@duppykitoon]

Finally, I understand my Waves Pultec plugin. Thank you!

[@mixdownonline]

That's great!

[@ninobeatz_iOS]

I love the Pultec EQ’s ..I’m currently using the three Pultec EQ’s offered by Red Rock Sound! They’re up there with the UAD one

[@wiggzy]

TO ALL: BE SURE TURN OFF STABLE VOLUME IN PLAYER SETTINGS. New KZbin option (that now by default is ON without warning us) applies own compression algorhytm to videos that kills nuances on such videos. First i was afraid (i was petrified xD) that my ears just stopped working and heard sh..t, not real changes to the sounds rather than distortion. This was the case.

[@durp_with_muk]

OMG!! THANK YOU!!! I seriously thought I was going def or something. Wish this could be pinned.

[@neverfox]

I still hear no difference at all (listening on DT 770 Studio headphones).

[@wiggzy]

@@neverfox bad to hear that (without DT 770 Studio headphones)

[@ceed3d396]

Damn good tutorial on the Pultec EQ plugin!! New sub

[@mixdownonline]

That's great! I'm glad you liked it!

[@TamSilloc]

Great little summary thanks.

[@mikeymoo71]

Great video. Big fan of my Pultec eq, but this has been really helpful - thanks!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@rodferguson3510]

Nice. Thankyou. I'm quite fond of my T-racks 5 version

[@mixdownonline]

That's a good one as well!

[@TzoHill]

I use the Pultec UAD on lead vocals...magic!

[@alchemistrpm82]

I’m a visual learner. I finally fully understand how a pultec behaves (I think). 😅

[@DanielHodotcom]

Wonderful presentation!

[@filipswiton8455]

Thanks, this is actually game changer for my mix! 😮

[@matthewfritz]

I love the Pultec! I've been using the Tube-tec from Softube but I've heard some really good things about the Rule Tec version from NoiseAsh too. The results have been fantastic on kick drums for metal and I've gotten some good results on bass too so it's primarily been a low-end tool thus far. I'd love to give it a shot on vocals now since your example really did have more presence with the EQP-1A in place. Thanks Chris! :)

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome, Matthew. Thanks for your comment!

[@ben.daniel]

Rule Tec sounds great even as a passthrough on the mix buss, well worth checking out

[@gwugluud]

I have a couple of sims of this, and I have little clue re the Martiany EQ setup. None of them have presets, which would be majorly helpful. I've arrived at great sounds w them, but that was purely by blind luck. Something like this is grotesquely overdue. Thanks for posting this instructional vid!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@lloydbrownmusic]

Great video and tips as per Chris. The vocalist featured in your track has got a great tone of voice. I remember him from your microphone technique videos. Would love to hear more from him. Can you furnish us with more info about him please Cheers dude! 🙏

[@mixdownonline]

His name is Rex Vezosa. He's a good friend. He released an album years, and did few singles also. You can find him on Spotify open.spotify.com/artist/3OrR8JCoQuApHGuVrNoDNH

[@lloydbrownmusic]

@@mixdownonline Cheers for that mon ami

[@storiesreadaloud5635]

was going to ask this myself.

[@markleyland2661]

Love this video, thanks Chris!

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks Mark!

[@mjklein]

I have 2 of the Klark-Tecknik hardware version. I insert them on my console 2-mix. Sounds like magic.

[@dragondreamjln]

Great Video! Thank you!

[@mixdownonline]

Glad you liked it!

[@guitarplayer5932]

a tiny bit of low and a bit more highs on the master bus is magic

[@BENJAMIN-nz6nd]

Best video, appreciate this gang

[@mixdownonline]

Thank you!

[@robertrickman3531]

I've been using a "P-tec' on Acoustic Guitars lately.. WOW!

[@georgegeranios2918]

Hey, my old road buddy: the Roland RE_201 in the background. I've noticed it in your other videos. At one point I had two...for stereo fun. I eventually moved on to the 301 for the nifty chorus. Good explainin' here.

[@mixdownonline]

I wish I had a 301, but that's a 101 (hard to see from the camera), but hey, an old friend gave it to me a few years back :-) Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@stevesnelling7615]

Illuminating! Thanks.

[@mixdownonline]

You'er welcome!

[@kapitbanda]

very good presentation

[@edgriggs3544]

Thanks for the Plugin Doctor part. That really helped me understand what it's doing. I have a question: you can adjust the negative gain and Q on the low shelf (band 1) of Cubase's Frequency 2 to get the inverse of the curve you showed - a low end shelf reduction with a nice upward bump in the low-mid. This can be nice for removing rumble from a kick while simultaneously boosting the fundamental. How do you do this with the Pultec emulation? Thanks, Ed.

[@daddydanny5588]

Thanx again .. bt what is that visual analizer ... how did u use it ..

[@BadboyEhis]

Plugin doctor

[@thekopys3094]

Does that graph, showing the moves being made, come with the EQP-1A? That would be quite helpful for someone starting out using a Pultec. Secondly, how does this plugin compare to the $4K+ analog unit? I suppose the real question is: Why would someone spend over $4K when a $50 plugin does the same thing?? Thanks for this video Chris! Very helpful!!

[@alexinphx1411]

2:55 yes please!

[@celestialmelt]

would be great if you could do a video on the api 2500 and the studer a800. your videos are really helpful. thanks!

[@BeatMax2023]

Nice helpful video! :)

[@mixdownonline]

Glad to hear that!

[@volcaniadread]

ty!:) 2:38

[@MajikMuzq]

Thanks !! Great video

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@johnmoreno5965]

My ears are loving it now how do i take my favorite sounds and make em better on my computer

[@tintinsadhukhan9765]

You are awesome sir

[@woodward_alan]

Thank you ive wondered about this! What is this plugin dr?

[@korkenknopfus]

At 5:15 I guess the Pultec acts this way because this is actually the way second order analog filters act technically: in the zone where the resonance occurs the product gain x band width remains constant. It is nice to see something from the ancient world 😹. Each time I use a modern parametric eq I feel I am violating some law of the Universe.

[@JIMBO-xo9zu]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you. Subscribed followed liked everything.

[@mixdownonline]

Awesome, thank you so much!

[@OBDPVCR]

NoiseAsh is musical hot sauce!!!

[@delabego]

Nice one, I use pullet EQ and I like so much. By the way, did you move to a new studio again?

[@mixdownonline]

LOL, Yes I did...Again! I'll explain in next week's video :-)

[@kripticbeatz]

Where can I find the song in this video?

[@Omni_Beatz22]

Great one 🔥🔥💯✅

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks!

[@stupendousmusic4190]

Can you do the same demo with the MEQ-5 ?

[@PhatLvis]

Good mix.

[@katiepower1570]

what do the numbers mean on the knobs? Are they 6 thousand for example or 600 where it has 0-10 on the high frequency knob.

[@HanyAhmed-vk7rq]

I want a video from you on how to mix the sound like The Weeknd in the album After Horse .. It is a beautiful sound and it deserves to learn how it was produced in detail

[@speedyslug]

You neglected the mids meq-5 is almost more important but both are equal hf-3 is optional usually just for electric and bass and kick

[@greekplayback]

Thanks , In general where is recomended to add the eq after or befor rhe comproser insert ?

[@katiepower1570]

is the vocals showing the 2 knob technique?

[@sparklin84]

Thank you for this! Great content! Meticulous and explanatory! 🙏 A question that maybe is dumb: Is there a standard db per octave decline for every pultec EQ (or at least some kind of ratio), or every other brand has its own character/specs?

[@mixdownonline]

I don't know about that, cause it's not a fixed one, that curve ratio moves as you boost or cut, that's what makes it colorful

[@sparklin84]

Thanks again!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@HariMaiamusic]

Can you please explain to us why you did not attenuate on mixbus? please. thanks

[@piktormusic2538]

This video was very helpful. Thank you.

[@mixdownonline]

Glad it was helpful!

[@katiepower1570]

Why is the attenuation nob only on one side. Can you not use it for low and high frequencies at the same time?

[@mixdownonline]

There's an Attenuation for low frequencies and another one for High frequencies :-)

[@fabricetremblay9023]

Bonjour Chris. J'aimerais changer de paire d'écouteurs. Avec quoi est-ce que tu travailles? Merci!

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

Interesting video and a plugin I have somewhat considered, especially since it's on sale at UAD. It appears the curves are a drastic, but I presume that is the point. My question becomes how is the pultec any different or more beneficial than the Pro Q3 by fabfilter?

[@who_is_dis]

1. It's less surgical, wider, more 'musical' curves, although you can also do it with Pro Q3 (be hard to recreate the exact curves though) 2. This one from UAD (and others) add a saturation / harmonics / tone to the signal that's really nice on most sources. Pro Q is completely transparent.

[@BYCWELL]

which song was that, that the gentleman was singing sounds good.

[@mixdownonline]

That's my upcoming new single, that I co-wroted with my good friend Rex Verzosa (singer) it will be out soon

[@hansroggen3840]

Any news on the new single yet?

[@katiepower1570]

what does a shelving type of boost or attenuation mean?

[@mixdownonline]

A Shelf is a type of EQ Filter. Open your Stock EQ inside your DAW, and put a Frequency Band to Shelf, you will see how it looks, and sound like. It's close to a High or Low pass filter without filtering the whole signal.

[@studiokounouz1064]

Merci bcp vous êtes génial 🎉🎉

[@mixdownonline]

Merci!

[@updown5238]

Great! Thanks.

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@updown5238]

@@mixdownonline Appreciate your input! The mix you played and the audio examples you gave sounded tops cheers.

[@updown5238]

@@mixdownonline Have you done a video on saturation? Such as, in which cases do you use even and odd harmonic saturation on tracks you're mixing? You explain things very well and give useful examples.

[@fabricetremblay9023]

Merci!

[@paperplanemusic3273]

Legend

[@Yogeshbairaagi]

your headphone is nice sir

[@TaiLe-dr5ve]

This is app (software) or hardware EQ?

[@daaamn001]

Thx 🙏🏾

[@GravytyMusic]

I like PTEQ-X by ignite amps, didn't see it on your popups.

[@GravytyMusic]

And it's free.

[@mixdownonline]

There's so many out there that I didn't have the chance to include them all. Yes, the PTEQ-X is a good one!

[@nk1000]

Are you aware that the UAD Pultec boosts the signal by 1.5dB by default?

[@Matthew8473]

This is unmatched. I had the pleasure of reading something similar, and it was truly unmatched. "The Art of Meaningful Relationships in the 21st Century" by Leo Flint

[@Entertainment_Records]

Unique tool

[@sgfdancecompany]

I have the all of the versions UAD sound great but the Purple from Acustica is a much more 3d sound for my ears, also with the Titanium (the Tubetech version of the Pultec) same 3d effect and also more polish in the highs feq

[@arturfreitas1285]

i would like to listen the song of the video 🙂

[@wrmusic8736]

"Two knob technique" doesn't receive enough credit. When you do 30 Hz low boost and attenuation at about 6 both - you have that curve clear out 250 Hz, which is the most common mud frequency, while making drums and bass stand out. It's like the default thing to have on your master bus straight from the start, the difference is not subtle, but immediately noticeable.

[@codyak510]

What plugin is that showing the frequency?

[@mixdownonline]

That's Plugin Doctor!

[@stoianmarkov144]

For all the years i've been mixing i was using it wrong by thinking the bandwidth affect also the low frequencies 🤣

[@mixdownonline]

Been there done that Lol!