In Summary

Evoking a classic mastering EQ, Pulsar Audio’s W495 promises wide, musical flavours and control that goes beyond where stereo EQs usually ends. Here we explore how its vinyl roots are more than just a nod to the days of pure listening enjoyment…

Going Deeper

A side effect of vinyl’s limitations has been a number of signal processors developed specifically to make the transfer from source to cutting lathe as smooth as possible, both musically and technically. Tricks such as EQing the side channel to improve stylus tracking, or level control to increase side run times are just two of the tools available to cutting engineers.

Pulsar Audio W495

Although many developers offer MS equalisers, these tend to be original designs that trade in digital precision; up until now those wanting classic MS treatments had fewer options.

Originally constructed in the "Danner Cassette" format, Pulsar Audio’s W495 draws direct inspiration from the Neumann W495b. This MS equaliser found its place in various Neumann consoles such as those for broadcast, as well as Neumann VMS mastering consoles and vinyl pressing equipment. According to Pulsar Audio, 90% of vinyl records produced from the 1970s to the 1990s were mastered using these Neumann modules. Recognized for its exceptional transparency and musicality across its bass, midrange, and high-frequency bands, the W495 EQ is well suited to adjustments across master recordings.

In the video we dial in some of the kind of treatments that wouldn’t be out of place across a vinyl master that also work well for a digital deliverable. In the low band, we reign in extra energy in the S channel to add focus to our master. In the middle, apply cut in the M channel to reduce vocal harshness; this also helps to play down some over-prominent percussion. Finally in the high band S channel, we showcase how even huge boosts remain natural in sound. In our master we use its sheen to open out the sides for a unique ‘width’ effect.

Pulsar Audio W495 Features:

• Recreation of the classic Neumann W495b mastering equaliser.

• Stereo MS format processing. Each band has three channel modes: M, S, or both.

• Haufe RK 756 transformer modelling.

• Curve Editing option for fast workflow versus knobs.

• Switchable Auto-Gain to aid decision-making.

The Good Old Days?

It’s been said that masters made for vinyl have all of the good stuff that just happens to work particularly well for digital playback.

Parking what sounds ‘best’ as compared to digital, in the 21st century vinyl sees a resurgence in many territories for those who take the listening experience seriously. What cannot be argued is vinyl’s limited technical abilities to store audio as compared to the majority of digital formats. These are a lot more measurable than what’s happening between someone’s ears!

What masters for vinyl do bring is the kind of dynamic restraint and smooth curves that sound good to most listeners. It could be argued that these will sound even better without the limitations of vinyl playback. That makes W495 the perfect tool for engineers who understand what really makes vinyl sound so good to some…

A Word About This Article

As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.