Reference 1956 Equalizer

Broad strokes, big tone.

The low-end trick is a classic, but it’s not the only trick that has kept this type of passive EQ popular 70 years on. The minimum-phase passive design and extreme musicality make them great for broad strokes and big tones. Cuts and boosts are carried out with resistors, capacitors, and chokes, as opposed to op-amps or transistors. Just pure passive electronics and a beautiful tube amp stage on the output.

Our plug-in version is based on modern hardware that adds stereo functionality and more frequency selections while staying true to the nature of the original design. We added Headroom control within our Extended Features panel to exaggerate the thick low-end character of the transformers, plus built-in Mid/Side functionality, and separate gain controls for the two channels.

The Art of Rock & Roll Science

Our reputation for producing tools that improve workflow and offer the highest quality sound is rock solid. For over twenty years, we have forged strong partnerships with premium brands like Tube-Tech, Chandler Limited, and Empirical Labs.

This is the legacy the Reference 1956 Equalizer is built on—one of creativity, passion, and attention to detail. To create tools that innovate, you have to have heart, soul, and Rock & Roll Science.

Magical sound, modern features

The passive circuit design of this equalizer makes it exceptionally musical, natural sounding, and some say, magical. We’ve kept the magic intact by maintaining the true nature of the original passive circuit design. Reference 1956 Equalizer gives you the legendary sound, plus modern features like Mid/Side functionality and separate gain controls.

Even more modern with Equalizers

Want the full experience of the Reference 1956 Equalizer plus visualizations of its unique curves, up to 20 bands of modern curves, frequency content, dynamic EQ features, and more? You can load Reference 1956 Equalizer into the second slot of our Equalizers plug-in to create a one-of-a-kind EQ environment. The result is equalizing that’s both corrective and vibey in an ultra-fast workflow.

Tips! How does Reference 1956 Equalizer compare to Tube-Tech PE 1C?

The Tube-Tech PE 1C (available in our Tube-Tech Equalizers Mk II set, alongside the Tube-Tech ME 1B) is made to sound like a brand-new, perfectly tuned Pultec EQ with everything to spec and very little distortion as a result. Reference 1956 Equalizer is on the opposite side of the spectrum. It’s designed to give more distortion, and some parts are deliberately degraded to deliver that distortion.

Features

• Authentically captured, classic passive equalizing
• A modern, musical minimum-phase passive EQ
• Stereo functionality
• Additional frequency selections
• Headroom control
• Mid/Side functionality
• Separate gain controls for each channel
• Compatible with Equalizers
• Console 1 Ready