[Musikmesse] Cartec EQ-PRE-2A

The EQP-2A is a 2u 19” rack mount stereo Op-amp Microphone/Line Preamplifier, with 'Pultec’ program type EQ. It also features an M/S (Mid/Side ) encoding or decoding section, and an AUX output.

The primary intention of the output decoder is that Mid/Side microphone techniques can be used with the equalizer section and then recorded in a stereo 'Left and Right’ format. For instance, if recording acoustic guitar, the Side (or 'difference’) microphone could be equalized to give more brightness and clarity to the 'width’, while the Middle microphone (or 'Sum’) could have more low frequencies added.

This can also be used over a mix if the unit is fed with an M/S encoded signal from your multitrack. You can add a broad boost at 16 or 20 KHz to the sides of the mix.

If you input a stereo signal and use the M/S encoder switch, you can use the equalizer as a mix eq, then send the output to a compressor to compress the Mid and Side components differently, in a way that the Fairchild 670 works in Lat/Vert mode.

The AUX send pot works independently of the L/R or M/S switch, and pans output 3 between the signals that are input into the unit. So if you have a Side microphone fed to channel 2, panning this knob to the right will give you the Side signal, while you might still have the main outputs giving you Left and Right. You could send this to a reverb or delay (or well, anything) for some interesting effects. 

Pricing:

The retail price will be £1695 ex vat, with a 2 month limited special promotional price effective from the MusikMesse for £1495 ex vat.

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. 

You can visit them at Hall 5.1 booth C80D.