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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.
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Reference 1998 Equalizer
Massively musical and organic.
The list of gear that can truly be considered modern classics is short. Despite that, we're confident in saying that the inspiration for this plug-in undoubtedly makes the cut.
The original design is sophisticated. It features four passive, parallel EQ bands that each impart an unmistakable warmth and subtle saturation that's coupled with a tube stage offering superb headroom. The masterstroke, however, is its shelving filters. The shelving filters go from wide and smooth to a colorful unique shape that instantaneously gels with a mix and gives you color that’s, simply put, massive.
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- macOS Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13
- Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11
- Softube account
- iLok account
- Computer with AU, VST, VST3, and/or AAX-compatible DAW host software
- Internet access (for downloading installers and managing licenses)
Supported CPU Families
- Apple macOS computers with Intel Core i3/i5/i7 or Apple silicon (M1 or newer) CPU. Apple silicon is supported natively.
- Windows computers with quad-core Intel Core i3/i5/i7 or AMD quad-core processors with SSE 4.2 support.
- Other Intel processors (Celeron, Pentium, and Xeon) are compatible if they support SSE 4.2 instructions.
Supported Host Software (DAW)
Any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work. However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs—and our rigorous standards—Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One, and Reaper. Softube plug-ins are not tested regularly in non-listed systems. They will likely work if the system requirements are met. However, the manufacturer cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems.
Softube strongly recommend using VST3, as some of their plug-ins have features that are not present in the older VST format. Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo. The most recent maintenance release of your DAW application is recommended. AAX DSP is not currently in active development. TDM/VENUE/RTAS are no longer supported. See Legacy Installers.
Important Note: Make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com
