German sound seers Tegeler Audio Manufaktur are known for their contemporary take on classic audio designs. With their burgeoning 500 series units also making waves, we take a look at their new lunchbox EQ. See and hear it for yourself…

Considering Hardware Processing In The Digital Age

With the audio plugin catering for just about every audio processing need, newer engineers choosing their next tool might rightly wonder why there are also so many hardware contenders available as well. Questions about which is ‘better’ are perhaps more usefully addressed by considering technical and ergonomic factors. Of the sound, only the listener can decide.

Technical

There can be some measurable technical advantages in using hardware. Tracking through hardware may save time in the mix, but tracking and mixing through it can also save computer resources (admittedly an ever-diminishing concern). Using hardware can also avoid some of the lesser known factors of working with plugins. It also neatly sidesteps any issues with compatibility, licensing, developer support, or any of the myriad of show stoppers that those reading this may be familiar with.

Practical

There are also more tangible advantages. For some, using hardware is the default, thanks to years of acquisition during the pre-DAW age; if it still works and it sounds good, why rely on (and pay for) a plugin? Certainly, in an uncertain world, the idea of spending money on something with some guaranteed longevity is attractive. Aside from the endless sonic discussions, for many hardware owners, their tools are simply a different, practical way to crack the same nut. The interaction with real gear can also represent an immediacy that the control surface can sometimes struggle to match and the mouse can only dream of.

A New Way To Hardware?

When most think about the average rack-dwelling box, the 19 inch format springs to mind. With beginnings in the rail and telecommunication industries, it has housed audio designs for the best part of a century.

For the uninitiated, the 500 series format is an ecosystem of miniaturised outboard gear, which can better scratch smaller studios’ hardware itches thanks to its matching footprint. Initially developed by API, the format now enjoys an astonishing number of units to choose from, often derived from larger full-size offerings. These are installed into portable combined rack + power supply housings, often with feet and carry handles, hence the Lunchbox moniker.

Tegeler Audio Manufaktur MythEQ 500

With no shortage of names offering 500 series nirvana, the latest to throw their hat into the ring is Tegeler Audio Manufaktur. With their full-sized creations gaining a foothold, the company’s second foray into the 500 series format landed recently in the form of their MythEQ 500.

Watch in the video how we take printbacks through a single MythEQ 500 unit to inject some genuine analogue character into drums, bass and keyboards. After exploring the shelf and peaking filters to inject sparkle into the drums, we bolster a bass with some low shelving richness. With 15dB of gain on tap, we dial up the mids and pull out the bottom from a woolly-sounding pad to give it some shimmer.

More From Tegeler Audio Manufaktur:

To round up the sound and add a little more Tegel character, we decided in the end to install our in-house transformers. We have made countless listening tests and decided on the most beautiful sound. Transformers provide a pleasant compression of the sound through the conversion current - magnetic field - current and their non-linearities. The bass becomes tidier and more defined. The heights are pleasantly rounded.

The Q of the mid-bell filters is proportional to the amount of gain. The more you boost (or cut) the narrower it gets. The shelves are fairly wide. We wanted to make it as clean/clear as possible.

Full Technical Specifications:

• API-500 series active design, high quality film capacitor mono equalizer

• In- and output transformers

• Toggle switch: in/bypass

• High band shelf filters: 3kHz, 3.3kHz, 3.7kHz, 5.5kHz, 8.5kHz, 10kHz

• Upper midrange bell filter: 1kHz, 1.5kHz, 2.5kHz, 4.5kHz, 12kHz, 16kHz

• Lower midrange bell filter: 80Hz, 120Hz, 190Hz, 330Hz, 900Hz, 1.3kHz

• Low band shelf filter: 50Hz, 55Hz, 65Hz, 100Hz, 300Hz, 450Hz

• Maximum boost/cut: +-15dB

• Frequency response: 20Hz - 40kHz

• Maximum input level: +20dBu

• Input impedance: ≥2.4kΩ

• Output impedance: <600Ω

• Maximum output level: +21dBu

• Dynamic range: ≥100dB

• Supply voltage: +-16V

• Fuse: -

• Maximum current consumption: 80mA

• Size: standard API 500 module size

• Weight: 540g

In Summary

While questions surrounding the audible virtues of audio plugins versus hardware processing will continue, engineers who are deciding whether or not to venture into the 500 zone can consider some less controvertible truths.

When considering workflow, and yes, having fun when tracking and mixing, the hardware experience is hard to beat. After all, when was the last time anyone went misty-eyed over their days of mousing around over getting up-close-and-personal with some great outboard? Tegeler Audio Manufaktur MythEQ 500 will easily fulfil any need for hardware EQ with ease thanks to its refined, transformer-infused tones, 15dB of cut or boost per band, and satisfying build quality. Several units in the same box shouldn’t draw too much power either, with the review unit pulling less than 100mW with no noticeable heat produced, alluding to the 80mW quoted value.

Yes, those just entering the 500 zone will realistically need more than one unit to make the leap worthwhile, but deciding on the next muse is part of the fun. That will of course be mandatory if you plan to graduate from mono bus processing…

Thanks to KMR Audio for the supply of the Rupert Neve Designs R6 used in the making of this article.