PS
Extremely Good Value Pultec-style EQ
Okay, i probably should use this for longer than a couple of days before writing a review, but I am just so very impressed with this EQP-KT from Klark Teknik! Just running signal through the unit before switching the EQ 'on' adds character to the sound. I've only ever before played with EQ on plug-ins after the fact but now...i have seen the light!
Obviously, having large dials to turn is always going to be more fun than point-click-drag on plug-ins 'in the box'...but it's about more than the tactile stuff...the difference I have been able to make to guitar tones and my vocals going into my interface has been so impressive.
Having spent good money on v.good plugins over the years, often seeing noticeable but marginal gains relative to the price on my songs/workflow....but i can tell already that this may be the best investment i have made so far. I'm not gonna go full analog, as i haven't got the money/space/cables(!) but i can see that a few choice bits of quality outboard gear, especially on the way in, can make recordings sound better and the process a bit more hands-on and fun.
Obviously, having large dials to turn is always going to be more fun than point-click-drag on plug-ins 'in the box'...but it's about more than the tactile stuff...the difference I have been able to make to guitar tones and my vocals going into my interface has been so impressive.
Having spent good money on v.good plugins over the years, often seeing noticeable but marginal gains relative to the price on my songs/workflow....but i can tell already that this may be the best investment i have made so far. I'm not gonna go full analog, as i haven't got the money/space/cables(!) but i can see that a few choice bits of quality outboard gear, especially on the way in, can make recordings sound better and the process a bit more hands-on and fun.
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C
I'v been waiting for it!
I have a small home recording studio where I and my friend produce our own music. In general, I have mostly used it for audio commercials and for mixing the sound for various video productions. I usually use various computer plugins, among them also the UAD 2 Pci-e series pugins. One of the most interesting and fun plugins to use was the Pultec EQ. A few years ago I produced several tracks for a local rock group. They insisted to use some English vintage mixing console (I don't remember the brand - so it obviously was not Neve or similar...). What stunned me was that the sound of individual tracks, but especially the sound of master outputb after summing the tracks was definitely very different from what I could achieve ITB. What hapenned could be described in three characteristics: more bass, tight and punchy sound and ... glue. After that session, I have started to buy different outboard. The latest addition to my studio are 2 pieces of Klark Teknik EQP-KT . The build quality seems very goo d and the look of device is appealing. The sound... definitely more than I have expected. Compared to the UAD Pultec plugin, I think the clarity is almost the same but there seems to be more warmth and things just seem sound better (or I imagine things - but then again - this means that all of my friends that have heard it in the action must imagine things as well...). I do not intend to change the tubes - the sound is totally pleasing with he originals. The simultaneous use of boost & cut offers endless combinations and very precise work on every source.
Final verdict: BUY! at least a pair!
Final verdict: BUY! at least a pair!
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D
Good for the price point (bought it when it was 30% cheaper then now). After few years of use few knobs broke (broken plastic) and one of 2 devices I bought started getting hum issues (50 Hz noise and harmonics). If you buy 2 of them as a stereo pair - watch out, they tend to have volume differences up to to 1dB between units and the same settings on both devices tend to give slightly different curves for L and R channel. Overall - nice to have, sounds decent but build quality could be better
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R
GREAT UNIT
Very low noise floor, works very well for adding a little shine to a part. I like it on acoustic guitar.
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JV
won't complain for the price
I picked this one because it offers more frequency options than most Pulteq clones.
It's certainly not breathtaking, but it does the job. What more could you expect for the price?
Don't expect mastering quality. But for tracking or mixing, this inexpensive hardware option is worth considering. It's certainly better than a plugin, especially in the bass. In fact, I would argue that, while clearly not as good as clones ten times its price, it's as good if not better than clones twice its price.
The knobs feel light and plasticky compared to other gear with similar knobs, but not to the point where I'd be afraid to break them. Let's just see how they age...
All in all, I'm rather happy with this purchase.
EDIT: now I'm even more happy with it, because I've replaced the tubes, which is an inexpensive way of improving the sound.
It's certainly not breathtaking, but it does the job. What more could you expect for the price?
Don't expect mastering quality. But for tracking or mixing, this inexpensive hardware option is worth considering. It's certainly better than a plugin, especially in the bass. In fact, I would argue that, while clearly not as good as clones ten times its price, it's as good if not better than clones twice its price.
The knobs feel light and plasticky compared to other gear with similar knobs, but not to the point where I'd be afraid to break them. Let's just see how they age...
All in all, I'm rather happy with this purchase.
EDIT: now I'm even more happy with it, because I've replaced the tubes, which is an inexpensive way of improving the sound.
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JL
Interesting and versatile EQ
This EQ is great. It definitely imparts a “sound”, but that sound is the stuff of legend. It’s noticeable strength is it’s handling of lows, and if used sparingly, the highs for sweetening as well.
Running two in stereo, I enjoyed sending my mix bus through them in bypass for more subtle coloration. So far they’ve worked incredibly well for a rock, a fusion, and even an acoustic project I’ve mixed.
It’s a classic for a reason - as simple or as versatile as you want to make it, and really has improved my mixes when it’s called for.
At this price it’s a no-brainer. Get two.
Running two in stereo, I enjoyed sending my mix bus through them in bypass for more subtle coloration. So far they’ve worked incredibly well for a rock, a fusion, and even an acoustic project I’ve mixed.
It’s a classic for a reason - as simple or as versatile as you want to make it, and really has improved my mixes when it’s called for.
At this price it’s a no-brainer. Get two.
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f
No brainer for tracking vocals
Every recording studio can afford this device, and it improves nearly every mic you use, if you want a warmer, but also present sound that fits in the mix. I use it with several expensive mics like Neumann U87, AKG 414 B-ULS and Gefell CMV 563, but also with Shure Beta 58 and i must say even the Beta 58 is now usable for professional sounding Rock recordings. By the way, i also use the Klark Teknik LA-2 clone to track vocals, guitars and bass, and i am very much satisfied with this combination.
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n
you can't go wrong for this price
Pros:
- great way to add shape, color and depth to tracks, very transparent sound.
- the low end is another world compared to any plugin.
- running anything through it even on bypass gets a subtle lovely touch.
Cons:
- not quite impressed with the high frequencies, the SSL plugin sounds better imo.
- not impressed with the build quality, on the second day of use some cracks appeared when changing LF paramentes, luckily it doesnt appear on the recordings, but still, its annoying.
I am using it frequently and for the price you cant get anything better, sounds waaaaay better than plugins on the low end and very close to ssl plugins on the highs, but still, plugins cant give that subtle analog flavour to your sounds.
- great way to add shape, color and depth to tracks, very transparent sound.
- the low end is another world compared to any plugin.
- running anything through it even on bypass gets a subtle lovely touch.
Cons:
- not quite impressed with the high frequencies, the SSL plugin sounds better imo.
- not impressed with the build quality, on the second day of use some cracks appeared when changing LF paramentes, luckily it doesnt appear on the recordings, but still, its annoying.
I am using it frequently and for the price you cant get anything better, sounds waaaaay better than plugins on the low end and very close to ssl plugins on the highs, but still, plugins cant give that subtle analog flavour to your sounds.
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M
Very nice EQ
I've owned this now for about a year and it's still as good as new.
My favorite use for this EQ is bass guitar but it works well on all sources.
My favorite use for this EQ is bass guitar but it works well on all sources.
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K
Upgrade it
I purchased two Klark Teknik EQP-KT units to build a proper stereo setup for my guitar stereo rig. I also own two Klark Teknik 2A-KT compressors, which always work with my guitar. After that come two guitar heads and two guitar cabinets.
This is a great piece of gear for anyone searching for the perfect tone of their instrument.
Regarding the price, I wouldn’t call it cheap — but I do believe it’s very reasonable for this type of unit. If you compare it to Warm Audio, I honestly don’t think their products justify the extra cost. For the same money, you could buy two EQP-KTs and still have enough left for a quality guitar pedal.
After about two months of use, both of my units started producing random noise. The tubes became microphonic and began crackling. Don’t be afraid of this. The units come fitted with the cheapest and most unstable Chinese “Bugera” tubes, and they should be replaced immediately after purchase. That’s exactly what I did.
For those who complain about harsh high frequencies — it’s the “Bugera” tubes causing that. As soon as you replace them, the problem disappears. I didn’t overthink the choice and installed affordable Electro-Harmonix tubes. Immediately, the highs became smoother and less piercing, the unstable tube noise disappeared, and the overall sound became much cleaner, better, and warmer. If you install premium-grade tubes, I’m sure the result will be absolutely outstanding.
When pushing the gain hard during reamping, there is a slight white noise present — but it’s insignificant.
The Klark Teknik 2A-KT compressors also come with four “Bugera” tubes each. Even though the compressors weren’t noisy, I still replaced all the tubes.
Important to know: the EQP-KT uses one 12AX7 and one 12AU7 tube. I recommend ordering a set of quality replacement tubes from Thomann at the same time you purchase the unit, so you can swap them immediately and not waste time. Don’t expect miracles from “Bugera” tubes — they will let you down at the worst possible moment. Tubes are consumables anyway.
Don’t be afraid to open the unit and replace the tubes yourself — it’s very simple. Yes, you might void the Thomann warranty, but what matters more: perfect tone or warranty coverage?
The unit itself is excellent. Buy it and dial in the right sound. Plugins and digital gear will never deliver the same result.
Absolutely recommended.
Thank you, Thomann
This is a great piece of gear for anyone searching for the perfect tone of their instrument.
Regarding the price, I wouldn’t call it cheap — but I do believe it’s very reasonable for this type of unit. If you compare it to Warm Audio, I honestly don’t think their products justify the extra cost. For the same money, you could buy two EQP-KTs and still have enough left for a quality guitar pedal.
After about two months of use, both of my units started producing random noise. The tubes became microphonic and began crackling. Don’t be afraid of this. The units come fitted with the cheapest and most unstable Chinese “Bugera” tubes, and they should be replaced immediately after purchase. That’s exactly what I did.
For those who complain about harsh high frequencies — it’s the “Bugera” tubes causing that. As soon as you replace them, the problem disappears. I didn’t overthink the choice and installed affordable Electro-Harmonix tubes. Immediately, the highs became smoother and less piercing, the unstable tube noise disappeared, and the overall sound became much cleaner, better, and warmer. If you install premium-grade tubes, I’m sure the result will be absolutely outstanding.
When pushing the gain hard during reamping, there is a slight white noise present — but it’s insignificant.
The Klark Teknik 2A-KT compressors also come with four “Bugera” tubes each. Even though the compressors weren’t noisy, I still replaced all the tubes.
Important to know: the EQP-KT uses one 12AX7 and one 12AU7 tube. I recommend ordering a set of quality replacement tubes from Thomann at the same time you purchase the unit, so you can swap them immediately and not waste time. Don’t expect miracles from “Bugera” tubes — they will let you down at the worst possible moment. Tubes are consumables anyway.
Don’t be afraid to open the unit and replace the tubes yourself — it’s very simple. Yes, you might void the Thomann warranty, but what matters more: perfect tone or warranty coverage?
The unit itself is excellent. Buy it and dial in the right sound. Plugins and digital gear will never deliver the same result.
Absolutely recommended.
Thank you, Thomann
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