> Step by step

3. Getting started with the basics

1

The EQP-1A is a processor that has an effect on the signal, even when it’s applying no gain and T-RackS EQP-1A emulates this effect. Have a go at inserting it across a track. You should be able to hear a subtle difference. 2

The EQP-1A is great for adding high frequency sheen to pretty much anything. The peak-shaped high frequency band can be set very broad so that it sounds natural, and this often works better than boosting using a high frequency shelving EQ. 3

It may sound like there’s been a slight increase in level or simply like the audio has a bit more presence. Both of these can be the case, and the EQP-1A valve circuitry that’s emulated actually adds odd and even harmonic distortions. You can use a tone generator and analyser to check this. 4

For high frequency ‘air’, use the 16kHz setting, and for more typical sparkle, 10kHz or 12kHz usually do the trick. For mix bus sweetening, try the 10kHz setting with Bandwidth set to maximum (10) and then just increase the Boost to taste. 5

T-RackS EQP-1A is also great for mid-range sweetening. Try using it on electric guitars to add mid-range bite (5kHz) or for added crack on snares. Of course, if you want to combine it with some high frequency sparkle, simply add two plugins in series as shown above. 6

Even at its narrowest Bandwidth setting, the EQP-1A remains musical. That said, at these narrow settings it can be great for adding bite. Try using it to bring out picking on acoustic guitar. Here we’ve set the frequency to 4kHz with boost set quite high (6).