The history of the Pultec EQ low end trick

Mixing low end is a bit of an art. There are many techniques to help you achieve the best possible results and the most famous of them has it's roots in the 50's. Lets take a look at the history and technique behind the Pultec EQ low end trick.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:23 The history of the Pultec EQP-1
2:24 Practical examples of the Pultec Low end trick
6:47 The Pultec in 2021
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[@manifestgtr]

Pultec is one of those “make it better” processors for certain things. I’ll never forget this one pop punk track I was mixing about ten years ago. It sounded good but just a *little* indistinct...I decided to throw up a pultec on the master bus for a laugh. It tied the whole thing together so beautifully. It was EXACTLY what it needed. From then on, whenever something sounds a little confusing in the low end/murky (individual track, bus, whatever), out comes the pultec.

[@Estuera]

I wonder how much of this is psychological... but yeah, it certainly never made something worse. And once you've used it you tend to go back to it just like you describe.

[@manifestgtr]

@@Estuera Yeah definitely, there’s always a little confidence involved with some processors. Pro-Q, etc. could easily be massaged into doing a similar thing.

[@gelatinous6915]

Part of what creates this magical sound is the fact that this trick essentially overdrives both EQ stages. As you crank up the boost knob, the valves and transformers start pumping and instilling some nice saturation and nonlinear phase shifts that are characteristic of analog gear. As you add the attenuation knob, you start to reign back the output level of the low end while adding even more coloration as well as a nice low-mid scoop.

[@Renaxelo]

I used to put the pultec EQ on vocal, now I'm more brave to put it on the kick and bass. thank you so much

[@MrSpasticdancer]

always a good idea to be bold an try new experiments with using different effects

[@jpnavarromusic]

This is AWESOME. Just a bit of constructive feedback: when going back and forth between enganged/bypassed effect you could put text in the video instead of actually saying it out loud which I found a little bit distracting when trying to hear the differences. Anyway this is an extraordinary video and channel. Subscribed!

[@Estuera]

Thanks and fully agree with your feedback.

[@Ignorezbeats2]

me too!

[@ernieg]

yea

[@krewnixon3802]

@Darius Aarav Yup, I've been using InstaFlixxer for years myself =)

[@guscarmelo9216]

@Darius Aarav yea, have been using instaflixxer for months myself :)

[@DJVasC]

For the Logic Pro X users: one of the standard Vintage EQs in Logic Pro X is based on the Pultec....I've just discovered after seeing Jonas video and my search for a virtual version of the Pultec.

[@bigkeys1]

Looks like it's the Vintage Tube EQ in Logic Pro X

[@christophernoia5197]

I wonder how it compares with other plugins?

[@DJVasC]

@@christophernoia5197 There is a Sound on Sound article with a comparison. In addition, there are Some KZbin comparison video also.

[@jorgepeterbarton]

Vintage EQ in Ozone too but dont know if it has the tube colouration aspects

[@aerotekmusic]

Having Jonas Steur himself share his knowledge on audio stuff is a real privilege. Thank you!!!

[@Estuera]

My pleasure 😉

[@aristotle_4532]

@@Estuera If you want to test frequency response with precision, there is a way. Create a new wave file a few seconds long and draw a single sample spike in the middle of it. Send it through the EQ and do an analysis on the file. You want room on both ends of the spike, because the EQ implementation may have a part in front of the spike. In a typical linear phase EQ for instance, the response will be symmetrical. You can also see the technical quality of implementation using this method if you know your DSP. If you crop silence in this file, you have the reponse of the EQ at the given settings, which you can also apply to audio using a convolution plugin that accepts measured responses. You can use the same method to test and emulate guitar and bass cabinet/mic combinations. You can also test your room for early reflections.

[@substratec]

Absolutely agreed!

[@tired.mp3]

Quick correction, passive refers to using components that do not require power to work and these types of circuit are usually quieter at the output. The no loss term they added it's because the filtering stages are passive but there is active amplification either at the input or output stage of the circuit, to match or boost the gain.

[@Estuera]

Indeed. Somewhere in the comments we already had a discussion about this because there was some confusion. The way you describe it is correct.

[@captaindapto6463]

Thank you for such a left-of-centre piece of gear history. Bravo.

[@slogans777]

At 0:48, I immediately thought of the first Rolling Stones albums issued in America. The left channel was all treble, the right side was all bass. That's what they called "stereo," lol.

[@DixieWreck69]

speaking of shitty old mixes, listen to “I want you back” by the jackson 5. the drum kit is hard panned all the way to the right and it’s horrific lmao

[@emiel333]

I heard of this trick before but you explained it excellent especially with the audio examples. Love your channel more and more!

[@jimmygrant3151]

I have to point out that this is great for the low end of a piano jab. difference is amazing.

[@DJVasC]

Tanks for this video Jonas! I’m looking forward to the next video’s, as always.

[@KulshanStudios]

Just tried this on a remix we're working on, and sweet lorb, this + light use of an aphex aural exciter really sweetened the track. Passed on your video to a colleague of ours, and he tried it, and it's already improved his songs a lot too! Thanks for the tip here This changes the game

[@Estuera]

Great to read it helped you out :)

[@meloonaticbeats7218]

This is exactly what I needed for my mixes! Thank you!

[@francobuzzetti9424]

all the knowledge i acquired over the years taught me this : "it just sounds good!" mean *smiley face eq*

[@itsbouncethatlad7581]

Love all your videos. Keep it up

[@saevik1]

Great tip! I just checked this with Logic's Vintage Tube EQ and it totally transforms the sound 🙌🏼

[@samuelll3166]

I’m glad this was recommended :) brilliant content with no filler! Well done 👏🏼

[@Estuera]

Thanks :)

[@untro7287]

Keep doin these! Its great info to share and very concise!

[@wanggang3885]

Thank you for being a good teacher. Very helpful and to the point. Subscribed.

[@virtual-adam]

Great video. Its all the subtle things like this that add up to the big things!

[@lordaethelstan69]

This was very eye opening and a great explanation, thank you for the fantastic video !

[@lairdtomfrenchelectromusic2545]

J'ai hâte de voir la prochaine ! This is also a subject that deserves to be addressed and you did it very well !!! I really like your retrospectives ! Très bonne idée Jonas !!!

[@Estuera]

Merci :) There are quite a lot of videos showing the Pultec trick in a very practical way but I'm also always interested in what the story behind these techniques are. It goes back a long time but luckily I still could find quite a lot of information about it.

[@jordanhamana1816]

Please do more of these !

[@dbcooper3916]

Underrated channel for sure

[@netuno_music]

Great explanation. Learned a lot. Thank you

[@KingsDenStudios]

Love the history lessons bro, keep em comin! 😎😎

[@Urk0000]

Brilliant demonstration. Thanks! Was looking for something decent on this a couple of days ago.

[@Johanthegnarler]

This content is awesome! More of these videos please!

[@SevenUpHub]

What a great video! I appreciate the time and effort that went into this. The use of a visual aid to help me understand exactly what is happening was very nice. I wish you would have done the same with the high end part of it but I suppose I'll be able to figure that out on my own. Cheers!

[@LambertDriveStudios]

Super clear and concise breakdown! Great job ! I own the waves version puigteq model , it is definitely making a difference in my mix buss in a very pleasing way

[@StanAllDay]

Supper awesome. Keep up the great work!

[@graememiller3897]

Sweet. Great from start to finish. Fascinating and useful. Something about knowing a bit about the history reinforces the power while your working. And LOTR 👌

[@markellismusic]

Great video Jonas, thank you. Really informative and practical. Looking forward to more of the same!

[@ChrisVassi]

I am here just for the T-Shirt.

[@nathanhyatt]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@maxuno8524]

Just tried it. It sounds amazing, thank you!

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Thanks for sharing this neat trick.

[@notbugs]

I really enjoy your content. I like the fact that you keep it simple and don't go on with any side stories that are not relevant to the matter. Cheers from Sweden!

[@Estuera]

Thanks ! :)

[@fletch3430]

would love to see more of this kind of stuff!!

[@baiijoune]

Very nice and informative! I really enjoyed this and am sure gonna remember this trick for next time💪

[@hannespi2886]

Great video, thanks man

[@co.agmusic]

Brilliant video and very well explained

[@persona83]

Great info and tips.

[@VladoT]

Great idea for this kind of videos!

[@stukedin]

Fantastic- much thanks

[@MichaelDaviesMusic]

Works just as well with the "Waves" Puig Tec... Thanks!

[@sonnybrasco9735]

I use this tool on every mix. Love it

[@realheadphonecandy]

One of my favorite tricks. I use it regularly but thanks for the video history lesson!

[@neytcev]

Thanks! Very interesting and useful!

[@kernelpanique9361]

Imma try it out right away. Thank you.

[@keifx9721]

Nice demo thanks!

[@tiadiad]

Finally! A worthy video of the truth. Well made. If I may add something to what’s already been said, I’d add this. The valve stage, in the traditional models, comes after everything, including output.

[@Estuera]

Thanks for the compliment and the extra info 👍

[@KleeMusicAZ]

Thanks man. Great information.

[@arilotringer]

Very cool video! thanks!

[@paolomotta900]

Great video, good job! Great explanation

[@andreaoricci2422]

Thanks bro for sharing your knowledge

[@robertholsman]

This is great - thank you! Another trick added to my collection :)

[@kevinturvey8213]

very interesting and well presented - great job!

[@Azul-lj4yh]

I use The Ik multimedia Version And Since I used it the first time, I couldn't stop, it's addictive.

[@bocmanize]

Thank you for this video! Very useful 👍

[@Firstinversion899]

Great review

[@FunkyFlo]

Thanks for the Info!

[@WassupFred]

Great Video my Friend!!!! Love it...

[@davidjcooper9301]

love the history, thank you!!

[@pitedahmusic8235]

thank you for sharing this

[@timspencer1]

Excellent! Thanks - I didn't even know half of that!

[@zedxxx9]

Wow! Thanks. I have at least 2 Pultec EQ plugins, and until now have not really thought much of them... (silly me). I just tried your trick with a MODO bass and my Nomad Factory version of the Pultec, and it truly adds some sweet bottom end to the bass tone. I also tried applying the signal with nothing boosted or attenuated at all, and indeed the plugin does still add some character to the signal just as it is. I wouldn't have expected that from a plugin version, especially since it is more than 10 years old. Gonna be using this going forward for my bass sounds and will experiment with other signals too. Much appreciated!

[@Estuera]

My pleasure :)

[@patrickleduc7712]

Thanks for the video! This was great. Subbed!

[@rosanacaban]

super helpful, thank you!

[@viewoftheaskew]

fantastic, thank you! Subscribed.

[@mynameisnobody99]

I've seen 2 of this guys videos so far when they pop up on my feed. Good stuff

[@Estuera]

Thanks :)

[@troutstudio]

Really good explanation. I just got a UAD and love the EQP1, but fairly clueless apart from presets. Great work. Subscribed.

[@savatomic2]

Superb video!

[@flatnandez5304]

thanks!! great explanation!

[@timdatailor8482]

Great video!

[@Key_to_life]

Much Thanks 👍👍

[@MrzodiacBE]

very good and solid info!

[@pedalscapes]

Very informative, thank you 😎

[@ricksalt6860]

Good stuff , Thanks

[@collegestatistics]

Thanks for making this cool vid!

[@mousepd]

Thank you!

[@NoProblem608]

LOVE THAT TACO CAT SHIRT!!!

[@chrisp7405]

Thats what I was thinking

[@cryptout]

Finally someone shows how it's used on a 909 Kick! Thanks dude.

[@AlayliDracula]

This was the best youtube recommendation ever. I love the concept. I hope you make other stuff with this exact structure. Instantly subbed and checking out your other stuff.

[@Estuera]

Thanks ! :)

[@levondarratt787]

ummthiso trick has been out for 20 years - everyone is doing it - if it is new to you , then you need to watch a lot more channels and other content...

[@AlayliDracula]

@@levondarratt787 This isn't about the trick. FYI I'm a kickass producer and i can handle my low end without 20 year-old "tricks". The cool thing here is the content and it's structure. He doesn't go like "Hi guys just get a pultec and do this trick and you're good to go don't forget to like and sub". He talks about wtf is a pultec(which i didn't know and functionally it didn't matter) why it got popular, why it's important, how people use it and what are some good emulations of it. And it's cool to learn these stuff in like 8 minutes. It's not a "need" it's just a pleasure. I would even pay for this instead of paying netflix.

[@levondarratt787]

@@AlayliDracula there is no way you are a kick-ass producer without ever having encountered a Pultec, or at least the plugin. It's everywhere. So for the typical hobby guy working in his own bedroom, never leaving his bedroom, and head nodding to his own beats - yes it was a great history lesson, and to that - well done and structured.

[@AlayliDracula]

@@levondarratt787 LOL. I love the internet.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

Love this demonstration. Subbed

[@Estuera]

Thanks and welcome :)

[@ThisIsDownstate]

great video, thank you ! I have owned the uad plugin of it for some years now and have never really got the best out of it. I'm gonna give this ago tonight for sure. thanks

[@LouisBurgessComedy]

definitely need more like this, great video man

[@Estuera]

Thanks :)

[@gautieronana1478]

thanks great tutorial

[@Yahoomediaclub]

Brilliant

[@pretend7076]

Great content my man! greetings from brazil

[@Unibabble]

Hey that was really good! That's something new I learned today. I've used Pultec plus-ins before and always get nice results, but now I know how it REALLY works, and can get even more out of it. Thanks so much!

[@Estuera]

My pleasure :)

[@felippeboulderdash8453]

Thanks! This was helpfull!

[@minttrax]

very cool this,,,, great video fella

[@rcknicholson]

Great explanation

[@timweinheimer1]

Thanks very nice

[@puipuiapachuau4021]

good video straight to the point!

[@NachoPiek]

Loved it 👌🏼

[@robertofnascimento]

very very good video!

[@HEARTBEATBRAZIL]

Very cool trick! I never knew this measure would have a dampening effect on the midrange!! Thank you ;)