Cartec Audio Introduces The EQ-Pre-2A, A New Twist on the Classic Pultec EQ

March 19th, 2012 by Janice Brown

Manchester-based Cartec Audio, makers of the Pultec reproduction EQP-1A, have a new product coming out this week at MusikMesse in Frankfurt – the EQ-Pre-2A.

Cartec EQ-Pre-2A debuting this week at MusikMesse

Aimed at creative engineers and producers who will appreciate a new twist on the classic Pultec EQ, the EQ-Pre-2A is a 2U 19″ rackmount stereo discrete Op-amp Microphone/Line Preamplifier, with full ‘Pultec’ program type EQ, an M/S (Mid/Side) encoding or decoding section, and an AUX output.

Cartec Audio designer Liam Carter explains the ideas and applications behind the design…

‘The EQ-Pre-2A is a stereo preamp and EQ using the full equalizer circuit and components from our valve EQP-1A, but with solid state discrete op-amps as used in the later ‘Pultec’ units. A second amplifier is used to provide the microphone gain, but this unit can also be used with line level by engaging the ‘LINE’ switch, so it’s flexible for tracking, and these new features can also be used in a mix context for individual tracks, or it’ll also be great on stems or mix buss work too”.

“All gain and EQ controls are on rotary switches for perfect recall every time. The output transformer windings can be switched to turn this into a Mid/Side decoder (if using M/S mic technique for instance, it will output Left and Right signals), or encoder for further MS processing in the signal chain. On top of this, the rear panel features a third XLR which provides a transformer balanced Auxillary output that can be panned between channels 1 and 2 using the ‘Blend’ pot on the front. All passively… no extra gain stages…’

EQ-Pre-2A detail (click to enlarge)

The EQ-Pre-2A will retail for £1,695/$2,230, with a 2 month limited special promotional price effective from the MusikMesse (starts 3/21) for £1,495 / $1,966.

Unity Audio Ltd, the new International distributor for Cartec Audio, will be showing the new EQ-PRE-2A and the other existing products such as the EQP-1A and two 500 series modules – the PRE-Q5 pre-amp and the FE-Q5 3 band EQ – at MusikMesse (Hall 5.1 booth C80D).