They’re back. After some time being unavailable, ACG’s filter based preamps can be ordered at Best Bass Gear once again.
The EQ-02 is back on the shelves, and joining it is the newest preamp from the team of Alan Cringean (AC Guitars) and John East (East UK), the EQ-01.
Like the EQ02, the EQ-02 is a filter-based preamp. However it has one feature that will be instantly recognizable to players or fans of Alembic or Wal basses. The EQ-01 has dual lowpass filters, meaning each pickup has its own lowpass filter. This setup has long been recognized as one of the most versatile tone shaping configurations.
This way using the resonant peak of the lowpass it is possible to ‘retune’ the resonant frequency of each pickup individually before the summing of the two signals. So you can emulate the frequency response of any bass or pickups in existence.
While some may say the circuits ability to perform this trick is debatable – as comparisons of such an ’emulation’ against ‘real’ versions of various basses will no doubt reveal some subtle details being still different – there is no doubt that this is one of the most powerful tone-shaping packages ever offered to the public at a reasonable price.
Give a listen to this sample from ACG showing off what it can do.
See more info on the ACG EQ-01, available now starting at $312.85, or check out the EQ-02, which starts at $242.48.
I heard from a trustet sorcue that the inner circuits of the MBoxes are similar to M-Audio’s stuff, the Mbox 3 Pro is the same like the profire 2626 with less I/O So now you got M-Audio hardware in an Avid Case. Hurray!