Empirical Labs ELQ Lil FrEQ 4-band parametric EQ

$1,766.79

GTIN: ELQLILFREQ SKU: ELQLILFREQ Category: Tags: ,

Description

As with ELI’s other signal processors, the Lil FrEQ Equalizer takes a somewhat unique approach to its job. Instead of daisy chaining several equalizers and frequency processors, we combined most of the sound sculpting tools an engineer needs into a compact single rack space box, while still offering the highest performance of any design in its class.

Eight Sections of Processing
There are eight sections of processing – what other EQ offers that? Even better – in addition to a master bypass, each of the Lil FrEQ’s sections features its own dedicated bypass switch, letting you instantly A/B the effect of each section as you adjust and fine-tune them.

HIGH PASS – The High Pass section is a really easy to use sharp filter that cuts all content below one of eight preset frequencies from 30-330 Hz. This filter is very steep and has a special shape that prevents frequencies from thinning out just above the cutoff point. The corner frequency is selected using up/down buttons, and indicated by LEDs that glow softly when the section is bypassed, and brightly when the section is engaged.

HIGH & LOW SHELVING – These two knobs function similarly to the familiar “bass and treble” tone controls found on many consumer audio playback systems; however, these are designed to a much higher performance standard, providing exceptionally smooth and musical boost and cut on the high and low frequencies.

PARAMETRIC EQ – The Lil FrEQ has four sections of fully parametric EQ (LF, Lo Mid, Hi Mid and HF), with each section featuring individual gain, bandwidth (Q) and frequency controls.  It may be the cleanest parametric EQ section ever produced, operating below .0007% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) even at extremely high audio levels. Try finding those specs anywhere else!

DS (DYNAMIC EQ) – The DS section provides the highest performance, easiest to use, and possibly most natural sounding “De-esser” ever built.  This powerful tool combines tunable filters with a compressor-like circuit that can help contain and control excessive high frequency content such as sibilants or other sharp transients, especially in the absence of other lower frequency content.  It can also function as a one of a kind soft knee High Frequency limiter, which is one of the main things responsible for the Lil FrEQ becoming the go-to vocal EQ for engineers everywhere.  It has been used on many acclaimed albums and major live performances all over the world, becoming the “go to” EQ for key tracks like lead vocals, snares, and bass.  There are now dozens of hit record vocals that were processed thru the Lil FrEQ.


Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 140 kHz on transformerless inputs and outputs. Transformer output 10Hz to 110 kHz.
Dynamic Range: 120 dB from maximum output (.1% clipping) to minimum output. Greater than 110 dB signal to noise.
Distortion: Ranges between .00056% and .005% depending on mode and settings. DS section has THD < .005%.
I/O: DC coupled inputs and outputs and one transformer coupled output.
Dynamic Time Constraints: Attack is approximately .5 ms. Release .04 sec fixed internally.
Power Consumption: 15 Watts Max.
Metal Chassis: single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.

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SettingsEmpirical Labs ELQ Lil FrEQ 4-band parametric EQ removeRupert Neve Designs 511 500 Series Microphone Preamp removeVermona VSR 3.2 Vintage Spring Reverb Rack Unit removeSuhr Reactive Load removeRupert Neve Designs 535 Diode Bridge Compressor removeEmpirical Labs EL9 Mike-E Microphone Preamp remove
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Description
ContentAs with ELI’s other signal processors, the Lil FrEQ Equalizer takes a somewhat unique approach to its job. Instead of daisy chaining several equalizers and frequency processors, we combined most of the sound sculpting tools an engineer needs into a compact single rack space box, while still offering the highest performance of any design in its class. Eight Sections of Processing There are eight sections of processing – what other EQ offers that? Even better – in addition to a master bypass, each of the Lil FrEQ’s sections features its own dedicated bypass switch, letting you instantly A/B the effect of each section as you adjust and fine-tune them. HIGH PASS – The High Pass section is a really easy to use sharp filter that cuts all content below one of eight preset frequencies from 30-330 Hz. This filter is very steep and has a special shape that prevents frequencies from thinning out just above the cutoff point. The corner frequency is selected using up/down buttons, and indicated by LEDs that glow softly when the section is bypassed, and brightly when the section is engaged. HIGH & LOW SHELVING – These two knobs function similarly to the familiar “bass and treble” tone controls found on many consumer audio playback systems; however, these are designed to a much higher performance standard, providing exceptionally smooth and musical boost and cut on the high and low frequencies. PARAMETRIC EQ – The Lil FrEQ has four sections of fully parametric EQ (LF, Lo Mid, Hi Mid and HF), with each section featuring individual gain, bandwidth (Q) and frequency controls.  It may be the cleanest parametric EQ section ever produced, operating below .0007% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) even at extremely high audio levels. Try finding those specs anywhere else! DS (DYNAMIC EQ) – The DS section provides the highest performance, easiest to use, and possibly most natural sounding “De-esser” ever built.  This powerful tool combines tunable filters with a compressor-like circuit that can help contain and control excessive high frequency content such as sibilants or other sharp transients, especially in the absence of other lower frequency content.  It can also function as a one of a kind soft knee High Frequency limiter, which is one of the main things responsible for the Lil FrEQ becoming the go-to vocal EQ for engineers everywhere.  It has been used on many acclaimed albums and major live performances all over the world, becoming the “go to” EQ for key tracks like lead vocals, snares, and bass.  There are now dozens of hit record vocals that were processed thru the Lil FrEQ. Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 140 kHz on transformerless inputs and outputs. Transformer output 10Hz to 110 kHz. Dynamic Range: 120 dB from maximum output (.1% clipping) to minimum output. Greater than 110 dB signal to noise. Distortion: Ranges between .00056% and .005% depending on mode and settings. DS section has THD < .005%. I/O: DC coupled inputs and outputs and one transformer coupled output. Dynamic Time Constraints: Attack is approximately .5 ms. Release .04 sec fixed internally. Power Consumption: 15 Watts Max. Metal Chassis: single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.With a big, bold preamp, a swept high-pass filter and the powerful saturation control of variable Silk, the 511 combines legendary Rupert Neve tone with 500 Series value. What is Silk? One of the key features of the 511 is the Silk / Texture control. The Silk circuit was initially developed for the original Portico series mic preamplifiers, and was only a single switch – on or off – that added a specified amount of musical, pleasing harmonic saturation to the unit’s output stage. Taking this concept one step further, the Texture knob is designed to adjust the actual amount of harmonic content from the source material. So how does it work? By reducing negative feedback across the output transformer and adjusting this feedback’s frequency response, the Silk / Texture circuit provides the sweet, musical saturation found in Rupert’s legendary vintage designs – but with complete & precise control over the amount of classic tone you want. NOISE
  • Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 22 Hz - 22 kHz, source impedance 150 Ohm balanced. Noise performance can vary depending on the 500 series and / or interference from stray magnetic fields.
  • Unity Gain: Better than -103 dBV
  • Gain @ +66 dB: Better than -60 dBV
  • Equivalent Input Noise: -125 dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
  • Main output, no load.
  • +/- 0.1 dBu from 10 Hz to 31.5 kHz
  • -2.6 dB @ 120 kHz
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL +23 dBu TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE, NO SILK
  • @ 1 kHz, +20 dBu output level, no load: Better than 0.0025%
  • @ 20 Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 0.025% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE WITH SILK ENGAGED 
  • @ 100 Hz, +20 dBu input level, no load.
  • TEXTURE @ min: 0.015%, mostly 3rd harmonic typical
  • TEXTURE @ max: 2%, mostly 2rd harmonic typical
GAIN
  • Unity up to +66 dB in 6 dB steps.
  • Trim continuously adjustable from -6 dB to +6 dB.
PHANTOM POWER Supplied by the 500 series rack power supply. Switch selectable on faceplate. HIGH PASS FILTER
  • Continuously variable swept frequency from 20 Hz to 250 Hz.
  • Slope: 12 dB/Octave
POWER REQUIREMENTS @ +/-16VDC, 100mA
Proven reverberation classic for the future With the VSR 3.2, we happily rely on the proven old mechanical way to create reverberation. Rightly, because the used reverberation spring by AccuBell (formerly Accutronics) creates that magic 60's reverb which is slightly metallic and dense at the same time. Just like it predecessors, VSR 3.2 has a straight-forward and honest approach: signal in - spring reverb - vintage sound out. VSR 3.2 is equipped with an equalizer that is exactly adapted to the springs' frequency response. In addition, there are controls to mix the dry and effect signal as well as controls for the input and output level. This way, VSR 3.2 simply exactly does what it was designed to do. Designed for every situation Although using a large spring (type 9), VSR 3.2 fits in a 19" housing with one rack unit – minimal space requirements. Thanks to its extremely solid chassis, VSR 3.2 is a reliable vintage-effect that cannot only be used in a controlled studio environment. On the contrary, it also serves fine when being used in straining live situations. VSR 3.2 grants your sound an elegant touch of "good old times". Its simplicity makes it an unbelievable versatile companion. Inputs
  • 1/4"-jack input front
    • unbalanced
    • max. input sensitivity: –40 dBu
    • impedance: 1 MΩ
  • 1/4"-jack input rear (1)
    • unbalanced
    • max. input sensitivity: 0 dBu
    • impedance: 100 kΩ
  • 1/4"-jack input rear (2)
    • unbalanced
    • max. input sensitivity: –20 dBu
    • impedance: 10 kΩ
Outputs
  • 1/4"-jack output (1)
    • unbalanced
    • max. output level: 0 dBu
  • 1/4"-jack output (2)
    • unbalanced
    • max. output level: - 20 dBu
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
  • direct: > 80 dBu
  • effect: > 70 dBu
THD + Noise
  • direct: < 0,1 %
Miscellaneous
  • power supply: external DC-adapter with 12 V/1000 mA
  • dimensions: 19“, 1 HE, ca. 190 mm deep
  • weight: 2.5 kg
The Suhr Reactive Load delivers a simple solution to capture all of the warmth, and dynamics of your sound, without the hassle of miking a speaker cabinet during a live or recorded performance. The Reactive Load takes the place of your speaker cabinet in your signal chain. It provides an 8Ω load for your tube amplifier (maximum 100 watts), and produces a balanced and unbalanced signal that interfaces with recording devices, effects, and power amplifiers. The Suhr Reactive Load is the perfect link between your amplifier and computer audio recording interface. You can use the Reactive Load with your existing library of speaker impulse responses (IR) for the most realistic direct recording experience possible. Traditional resistive load boxes will safely load your amplifier, but they also alter the tone, dynamics, and response of your amplifier. Real speakers do not have a fixed resistance across the entire frequency spectrum. Real speakers are reactive. The impedance curve of the Reactive Load has been painstakingly tuned to react like a speaker. Your amp will never know the difference. The Reactive Load is dedicated to being the absolute best load box possible with zero compromises, and therefore does not include speaker emulation. You can use the Reactive Load with your speaker-sim or impulse response of choice, and benefit from the natural response, dynamics, and touch sensitivity of your amp. The Suhr Reactive Load features a balanced or unbalanced line level output. The INPUT is optimized for the 8 ohm output of your amplifier and the THRU jack can be connected to a physical speaker cabinet. If a physical cabinet is connected to the THRU jack, the Reactive Load’s internal load is bypassed and the amp will see the load of the physical cabinet. SPEAKER INPUT IMPEDANCE: 8 Ohm DI / LINE OUT LEVEL: +4 dBu at 7 watts input, maximum level setting BALANCED LINE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Less than 6KΩ UNBALANCED LINE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Less than 6KΩ MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED INPUT POWER: 100 Watts RMS ROHS COMPLIANT: Yes DIMENSIONS: 8.8" (W) x 8.9" (D) x 3.6" (H) WEIGHT: 6.6lb
  • FAST – Fast Attack (750us), Fast Release (130ms)
  • MF – Medium Attack (2.25ms), Fast Release (130ms)
  • MED – Medium Attack (2.25ms), Medium Release (400ms)
  • MS – Medium Attack (4ms), Slow Release (725ms)
  • SLOW – Slow Attack (10ms), Slow Release (1S)
  • AUTO – Medium Attack (5ms), Dual Decay Release (T1 500ms, T2 1s)The LINK switch allows the compressor to be linked to another 535 compressor module via a sidechain control voltage. In link mode, the compressor generating the greater sidechain voltage (resulting in higher amounts of compression) will control the compression of both audio signal paths to maintain proper stereo center image while compressing. Note: it is advisable to always audition the unlinked sound as well, to decide if the benefit of a constant stereo center image is worth the potential trade-off of reduced left / right independence in the stereo field.
  • SIDECHAIN HPF

    LEVEL AND GAIN REDUCTION METERING

In today’s modern age of digital recorders, DAWs and software plug-ins, Mike-E is the ultimate solution for getting a clean and strong, yet warm and musical signal into the box…and it couldn’t be easier to work – its front panel layout is so straight ahead that even inexperienced engineers will have no problem moving around on it right away. When the engineering team at Empirical Labs sets out to build a microphone preamp, you can be sure it’ll deliver spectacular sound, be effortless to work, and will provide features unlike any other device in its class. To that end, we proudly present Mike-E, a high performance transformer-coupled mic preamp with a noise floor far below any microphone’s self noise, combined with a one-of-a-kind compressor/saturator circuit that delivers classic knee compression as well as versatile tonal ‘coloring’ that can replicate many of the best characteristics of vintage analog recording equipment. Mic Preamp The Mike-E features a super low noise transformer input amplifier section with the gain under precise digital control. The signal to noise far exceeds any microphone in existence. Having used many mic preamps over the years, we’ve implemented a unique stepped gain control that should be impervious to the normal flakiness that age causes to pots and detented switches. A “Bad!” LED indicates when the input signal is overloading the circuit. CompSat The CompSat’s unique circuitry sets the Mike-E apart from all other mic preamps.
  • SATURATOR –  a multi stage soft-clipping circuit. At lower levels, a triode-type saturation affects the signal. As the level increases, a second unique clip circuit starts to more severely flatten out the peaks.
  • COMPRESSOR – based on ELI’s world famous Distressor, but with other characteristics (including a much longer attack time).  Preset ratios include: 2:1, 4:1, 8:1…and, of course, Nuke.
  • EMPHASIS – a two-stage circuit that boosts and soft clips high frequencies before the CompSat™ circuit, and then cuts the frequencies after it. Emphasis has the added perk of improving signal to noise, and is the reason analog tape decks used emphasis to begin with.
Frequency Response: 3 Hz to 200 kHz on (No CompSat). CompSat is 3Hz – 150Khz. Optional Transformer output is 6Hz–80kHz. Signal to Noise: 130 dB signal to Noise.at 40dB gain. Maximum output is +28dBu. Distortion: Ranges between .0006% and 15% depending on mode and settings. I/O: Transformer coupled Input, Active and Transformer Outputs available. High quality audio caps used internally. Impedance: Input Impedance is above 600 Ohms at all frequencies, transformer coupled. Output impedance is less than 38 ohms. Instrument In Impedance is 332K Ohms. Attack/Decay Range: .9 – 70mS attack. .15 – 1 Sec. Power Consumption: 15 Watts Max. Metal Chassis: single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.
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