pair of pulse techniques pultec's or retro 2a3 - Page 5

Johanz · 8th November 2014

I'm VERY happy with the pulse tech's (1a3, MEQ 5), the bass so well and impressive, the highs very silky etc. To my opinion Steve's answers are very clear. He reengineered all the best he could and improved some things, why I have lower noise level and they deliver very well in my mastering chain. I prefer them above the old ones for sound, noise level, reliability, all... I also use a gml 9500, and a massive passive, but my Pulse Tech's are my most loved EQ's. Thanks again Steve, you did a wonderful job!

HansMues · 9th November 2014

I see a lot of messages deleted by Psycho Monkey! What is going on?

bogeyeater · 9th November 2014

It was getting pretty undignified last night.
Good call.

Rolf Ebitsch · 9th November 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hansest ➡️

I see a lot of messages deleted by Psycho Monkey! What is going on?

A 'below the belt' post.
No more, no less...

Please, back to the topic on this really good thread !
Thank you very much

R.

LMNproyect · 9th November 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolf Ebitsch ➡️

A 'below the belt' post.
No more, no less...

Please, back to the topic on this really good thread !
Thank you very much

R.

Yeah , PEACE AND LOVE.
And lets go back to pulse tech pultecs and retro 2a3

Gringo Starr · 5th August 2016

This is a good thread and I'm curious if anyone has changed their minds or any new users have jumped in with these EQ's and what their opinions are.

I'm intrigued with both of these EQ's but only one can come next.

TanTan · 6th August 2016

I wish Retro would do a stepped pots version for the 2a3.. Stereo matching and total recall is a deciding factor for mixing and mastering facilities, Pulse Techniques did a stepped pots version for their eq

NOT CONNECTED · 6th August 2016

The retro isnt a proper pultec by a long shot

Miles Flint · 6th August 2016

I had a Retro 2A3 and now own a pair of Pulse Techniques EQM1S3. Both fantastic but very different sounding EQs IMO. I never missed the stepped controls on the Retro, it's built like a tank and the knobs turn stiff but well. Though with pots, a recall is no problem.

fredouli · 6th August 2016

Eh recall is a breeze on the retro.. I use it in mastering & mix. It doesn't fit everything but when it does it's great and mixing in to it with the 40hz hpf engaged produces a very sweet low end

NOT CONNECTED · 7th August 2016

The retro imitates a pultec but it sure doesnt sound like one nor can it - pop it open and have a look

HansMues · 8th August 2016

never had problems to recall with the retro. love its sound and it´s knobs´s feel

Squawk · 22nd October 2016

I'm looking at purchasing a Pulse Techniques EQP-1A in the next few weeks. Everyone still digging the reissues? There seems to have been some differences of opinion in this thread

I'm also looking at a pair of EQP-500s after that for bus duties.

Phewson · 1st May 2017

A Retro Sta-Level stereo pair and a 2a3 is on its way.. somebody pinch me!!

HansMues · 2nd May 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phewson ➡️

A Retro Sta-Level stereo pair and a 2a3 is on its way.. somebody pinch me!!

wow!!! congrats!! i have a 2a3 and a 176 and absolutely need another 176 hahahaha

enjoy!!!

fromthepuggle · 28th May 2020

I'm debating between pair of AML pultecs and Curve Bender, or Retro 2a3 and Api 2500 (or something similar in that pricerange for mids, like Great River EQ). In terms of budget, about the same for either pair. Looking for max vintage tone and types of color for tracking and mixing. Thoughts?

Arichlsss · 17th January 2021

The retro will be “max vintage tone” out of those three.

compmyvocal · 14th May 2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansMues ➡️

This is the first time i read something like this. Absolutely all other comments have been that the retro is incredible. Maybe it arrives today. I´ll soon have my opinion, which is the one that matters to me.

I'm about to get a 2A3 for 3k€ would you consider it a great purchase?

HansMues · 4th November 2023

i think it´s a great eq! use it really often!

good luck

SadCowboy3 · 7th February 2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles Flint ➡️

I had a Retro 2A3 and now own a pair of Pulse Techniques EQM1S3. Both fantastic but very different sounding EQs IMO. I never missed the stepped controls on the Retro, it's built like a tank and the knobs turn stiff but well. Though with pots, a recall is no problem.

How would you describe the different sounds and your uses and preferences between the EQM1S3 and 2A3?

Miles Flint · 8th February 2025

I sold both in the meanwhile... remembering the Retro giving "weight" to a mix, the Pulse more "bigness/fatness".

Chaseme72 · 9th February 2025

hey fellas , would you say the 2a3 is bit too 'soft' or 'round' sounding for electronic music (i do pop /edm stuff) or does it stay pretty 'tight' (or at least tight enough for the kind of music i do? )

Rouleur85 · 9th February 2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaseme72 ➡️

hey fellas , would you say the 2a3 is bit too 'soft' or 'round' sounding for electronic music (i do pop /edm stuff) or does it stay pretty 'tight' (or at least tight enough for the kind of music i do? )

Have 2x 2A3 in the studio and make/mix electronic music .they are excellent at adding real proper weight/thickness to bass/drums.not much else does it as well . A definite recommendation

AB3 · 9th February 2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles Flint ➡️

I sold both in the meanwhile... remembering the Retro giving "weight" to a mix, the Pulse more "bigness/fatness".

How does something give more weight without being more big/fat? Can you elaborate a little more on this. Thank you.

Chaseme72 · 9th February 2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rouleur85 ➡️

Have 2x 2A3 in the studio and make/mix electronic music .they are excellent at adding real proper weight/thickness to bass/drums.not much else does it as well . A definite recommendation

very cool , do you use it on the mix buss ?

Rouleur85 · 9th February 2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaseme72 ➡️

very cool , do you use it on the mix buss ?

It’s Generally on the drum/bass bus but whenever something needs some thickness /weight we try it out .could be a keyboard part or could be the master ,no strict rules to it!!

fredouli · 13th February 2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaseme72 ➡️

hey fellas , would you say the 2a3 is bit too 'soft' or 'round' sounding for electronic music (i do pop /edm stuff) or does it stay pretty 'tight' (or at least tight enough for the kind of music i do? )

I differ slightly to the other op. Find the 2a3 sets things back, that and the colour works great for folk etc. on the mix bus but electronic music over the mix I probably wouldn’t reach for it. Maybe on like vocal bus or some synths busses for electronic but I would rather go solid state or cleaner or even all digital/plugin for total transient preservation for electronic music that doesn’t want a whole heap of vibe. Very coloured piece to me. A very nice colour tho and really glues frequencies together on sources

Chaseme72 · 13th February 2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredouli ➡️

I differ slightly to the other op. Find the 2a3 sets things back, that and the colour works great for folk etc. on the mix bus but electronic music over the mix I probably wouldn’t reach for it. Maybe on like vocal bus or some synths busses for electronic but I would rather go solid state or cleaner or even all digital/plugin for total transient preservation for electronic music that doesn’t want a whole heap of vibe. Very coloured piece to me. A very nice colour tho and really glues frequencies together on sources

Thanks , yeah that's kind of what i was thinking ..probably too colored for the kinda music i do.
i have a bettermaker mastering eq that i like a whole lot but i'd love another EQ to compliment it that's got a bit more weight and mojo but still 'fast and punchy'
any suggestions ? (not looking to hijack the thread lol)

fredouli · 13th February 2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaseme72 ➡️

Thanks , yeah that's kind of what i was thinking ..probably too colored for the kinda music i do.
i have a bettermaker mastering eq that i like a whole lot but i'd love another EQ to compliment it that's got a bit more weight and mojo but still 'fast and punchy'
any suggestions ? (not looking to hijack the thread lol)

It’ll have much more colour than the bettermaker I suspect.. the Retro transformers add weight and girth IMO. They have a familiar sound across their whole range.
If you’re all electronic it’s maybe not the best shout (unless it’s boards of Canada or soupy big colour vibes).
I love API in the signal chain on electronic music, but I get that with the 2500 rather than the 5500 - but I’d maybe demo that.
Digital tho otherwise and add the colour another way, apart from EQ (or try a new harmonic style eq like carnaby maybe)

Chaseme72 · 13th February 2025

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredouli ➡️

It’ll have much more colour than the bettermaker I suspect.. the Retro transformers add weight and girth IMO. They have a familiar sound across their whole range.
If you’re all electronic it’s maybe not the best shout (unless it’s boards of Canada or soupy big colour vibes).
I love API in the signal chain on electronic music, but I get that with the 2500 rather than the 5500 - but I’d maybe demo that.
Digital tho otherwise and add the colour another way, apart from EQ (or try a new harmonic style eq like carnaby maybe)

Yes sir , was thinking i'd probably gravitate towards 5500 or Maas...i know i can't go wrong with those offerings...

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