pilutiful
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Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
I'm looking for a good (but cheap-ish) analog hardware to give my tracks some analog warmth and depth. I haven't been fully convinced by the plugins for that job, after I tried a real Pultec EQ.....Anyone have experience with the Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer? They say it's a Pultec EQ clone, but it's much cheaper. With that said, will it give me the analog warmth and depth you get from Pultecs? Any other suggestions are welcome.
post edited by pilutiful - 2016/05/03 15:50:15
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Zargg
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/03 15:41:44
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Hi. I do not own one, but I heard one in a studio (of an acquaintance) and it sounded great. I have not compared them side by side, but they are good  Feels solid as well. Will try to get one myself, when money allows. All the best.
Ken Nilsen ZarggBBZWin 10 Pro X64, Cakewalk by Bandlab, SPlat X64, AMD AM3+ fx-8320, 16Gb RAM, RME Ucx (+ ARC), Tascam FW 1884, M-Audio Keystation 61es, *AKAI MPK Pro 25, *Softube Console1, Alesis DM6 USB, Maschine MkII Laptop setup: Win 10 X64, i5 2.4ghz, 8gb RAM, 320gb 7200 RPM HD, Focusrite Solo, + *
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Dreamstation
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/04 00:32:58
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I have one and I'm very happy. I've never used an original, so I can't compare.
It is certainly very effective at warming things up and the feel of it is fantastic - you would never know it was a budget model. The feel of the pots is sensational - a real surprise - it's a very solid box. I've only been using it a short time but already loving the low end on it - that cut/boost trick is a revelation.
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/04 04:43:53
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Thanks to both!
@Dreamstation, do you own/have owned other similar EQs? if so, does it compare well? I will be using it (if I buy) mainly for giving my tracks some analog warmth. I use Softube Tube-Tech EQ plugin which I'm happy with, but it lacks that warmth, so I will be combining those two.
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/04 10:27:57
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If you're after good lower cost front end gear (preamps, dynamics, EQ), Warm Audio makes several units you should check out.
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AT
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/04 13:12:14
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The Warm Pultec is great. I compared one to an ancient Pultec and it was much the same - the filter curves were a little different, the NOS tubes gave a little difference (tho for hundreds of dollars you can replace the tubes in the WARM) but it was a Pultec. And yes, it will warm up a track, or tracks or anything you run through it.
FYI, if you are mainly concerned with vocals, you might want to try for the new WA-2A tube compressor from WARM. Spit in vocals at one end and have vintage finished tracks at the other.
https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/04 17:15:37
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AT
The Warm Pultec is great. I compared one to an ancient Pultec and it was much the same - the filter curves were a little different, the NOS tubes gave a little difference (tho for hundreds of dollars you can replace the tubes in the WARM) but it was a Pultec. And yes, it will warm up a track, or tracks or anything you run through it.
FYI, if you are mainly concerned with vocals, you might want to try for the new WA-2A tube compressor from WARM. Spit in vocals at one end and have vintage finished tracks at the other.
Thanks for the reply...yeah I also got my eyes on the WA-2A actually. How does it compare to the EQ in terms of warming up your tracks? also I see there are 4 tubes in the WA-2A and only (?) 2 in the EQ - does that somehow give you something extra? I want to "warm up" mainly accoustic guitars, electric bass and vocals. Best regards
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AT
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/05 10:16:28
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In the short stretch I had the WA-2A it worked extremely well on all three instruments you list. We liked the Warm better on an acoustic guitar than an original LA-2A - on that song anyway. It is killer when it works. However, (and it was not an exhaustive testing) I would think the Pultec would be a better general tool. 2 tubes are enough to get that tubey goodness and one of the tubes in the WA-2A drives the optical T4 unit and is not in the audio path.
Even with 3 tubes (and transformers) it is important to note that most of the warmth and saturation comes from how you use the unit, rather than tubes and transformers being a magic bullet of fairy dust. The sound does change between a transformerless/tubesless design and a unit that does include them. More 2nd and 3rd order harmonics as well as humps and frequency emphasis applied to the sound passing through. But it is the driving of those non-linearities that "adds" to the sound and you learning - for your own style of sound - how much on each instrument you need. Two guitarists can play the same notes, but if one knows how to play the notes lyrically rather than mechanically and in the correct idiom, she will sound better.
https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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batsbrew
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/05 10:54:24
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☄ Helpfulby pilutiful 2016/05/05 11:52:43
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/05 11:52:36
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AT
In the short stretch I had the WA-2A it worked extremely well on all three instruments you list. We liked the Warm better on an acoustic guitar than an original LA-2A - on that song anyway. It is killer when it works. However, (and it was not an exhaustive testing) I would think the Pultec would be a better general tool. 2 tubes are enough to get that tubey goodness and one of the tubes in the WA-2A drives the optical T4 unit and is not in the audio path.
Even with 3 tubes (and transformers) it is important to note that most of the warmth and saturation comes from how you use the unit, rather than tubes and transformers being a magic bullet of fairy dust. The sound does change between a transformerless/tubesless design and a unit that does include them. More 2nd and 3rd order harmonics as well as humps and frequency emphasis applied to the sound passing through. But it is the driving of those non-linearities that "adds" to the sound and you learning - for your own style of sound - how much on each instrument you need. Two guitarists can play the same notes, but if one knows how to play the notes lyrically rather than mechanically and in the correct idiom, she will sound better.
Good stuff. Thanks :-)
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/06 12:43:43
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Today is an awesome day. The sun is shining, it's friday and I got my very first outboard gear Question to analog guys...: as I learned with the real Pultec EQ when I tried it, with analog equipment there will be a certain amount of noise. I'm thinking about minimizing it/removing it with Goldwave Noise Reduction effect, which is Excellent for removing noise. How do you guys deal with it? 
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batsbrew
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/06 12:48:18
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I THINK the noise is mojo.
don't lose the mojo.
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bluzdog
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/06 13:02:49
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/06 14:08:25
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batsbrew
I THINK the noise is mojo.
don't lose the mojo.
that must be it :-)
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/13 05:02:14
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newb question: should you warm up tube hardware first before use (like this EQ) like you do with tube guitar amps?
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Zargg
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/13 05:33:44
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☄ Helpfulby pilutiful 2016/05/13 11:19:39
Hi. I usually let my tube mic pre warm up for 5 minutes (or more) before using it. Others will know more about the subject All the best.
Ken Nilsen ZarggBBZWin 10 Pro X64, Cakewalk by Bandlab, SPlat X64, AMD AM3+ fx-8320, 16Gb RAM, RME Ucx (+ ARC), Tascam FW 1884, M-Audio Keystation 61es, *AKAI MPK Pro 25, *Softube Console1, Alesis DM6 USB, Maschine MkII Laptop setup: Win 10 X64, i5 2.4ghz, 8gb RAM, 320gb 7200 RPM HD, Focusrite Solo, + *
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AT
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/13 10:36:43
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☄ Helpfulby pilutiful 2016/05/13 11:19:36
I always turn the Pultecs on before using them. They seem to stabilize fast (5-10 min), but it could take longer, I assume.
https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/13 11:03:19
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Beagle
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/13 11:20:58
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Beagle
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/13 11:22:27
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and I agree with the guys above - at least 5 min warm up for all equipment, I usually let any tube based equipment warm up for at least 10-15 min first.
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/13 11:28:36
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pentimentosound
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/13 12:06:06
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More Warm Audio pieces are high on my list, after buying a TB-12 Tonebeast and WA76.
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donplee
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/13 15:49:26
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Don't know how I missed seeing this earlier. YES - I've had the EQP-WA (and WA76) for a little over a year now and I am very pleased. Thank you to AT, who originally told me about the gear. I just wish I knew how to use it better :-) Makes me want to consider other WARM AUDIO outboard gear. What a sickness.
Dono in Baja Oklahoma (AKA Frisco, TX.) Another satisfied Studio Cat customer Quad Core 3.9/16GB Win 10 64bit (3) Drives Focusrite ISA One Pre Warm Audio WA-76 Warm Audio EQP-WA Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 Sonar Platinum (1.17) BFD3 Guitar Rig 5 THD 3 Garritan Personal Orchestra Please listen to my debut "solo" album, "The Docks of Wilmington" here: https://soundcloud.com/do...mp;utm_medium=facebook
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/14 05:43:49
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Btw, do you guys use the External Insert plug-in in SONAR when processing already recorded tracks? when I do it manually (without the plugin) I see practically no latency, but are there other benefits when using the plugin?
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sven450
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/14 10:09:05
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A little late to the party, but I have the WA12 preamp and I absolutely love it. Great as a preamp for vox, but also a really nice bass DI. Warm Audio is the shizzle.
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Klaus
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/14 17:41:26
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☄ Helpfulby pilutiful 2016/05/14 18:39:53
pilutiful
Btw, do you guys use the External Insert plug-in in SONAR when processing already recorded tracks? when I do it manually (without the plugin) I see practically no latency, but are there other benefits when using the plugin?
The benefit of using the External Insert is it's sample accurate. Using it when processing recorded tracks during mixing, when you probably raised buffers to i.e. 1024 samples, is easier than nudging the new recorded clips along the time line to be in perfect sync with what's already recorded. You have to zoom way into the waveform (at sample level) to see the offset between the clips, but even at low buffer settings the "latency" is there if you don't use the External Insert to automatically compensate for that delay.
SONAR Platinum ∞RME HDSPe AIO - Windows 10 64bit - Intel i7 2600K - 16 GB RAM
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AT
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/25 09:28:22
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Sound on Sound has a review this month of the WA-2A.
https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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pentimentosound
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/25 09:42:16
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Thanks for the heads up, AT. I look forward to SOS reviews! It's an excellent magazine.
Michael
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pilutiful
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Re: Warm Audio EQP-WA Equalizer any good?
2016/05/26 07:15:25
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Reading the SOS review of WA-2A now....seems Warm Audio have done it again. Now I want one 
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