Introducing the new Heritage Audio Lang Electronics PEQ-2 Equalizer
By Front End Audio on Jan 23rd 2023
The Lang Electronics PEQ-2 Equalizer by Heritage Audio is an authentic reissue of the rare LANG PEQ-2 Program Equalizer with the same Western Electric patent as the Pultec EQ, along with extended functionality and sound tweaking possibilities.
Heritage Audio has recently acquired Lang Electronics Inc., a professional audio company from the 1960s dedicated to producing high quality equipment and replacement parts at very accessible prices. The most desired product was the PEQ-2 Program Equalizer. Unfortunately, not very many were made and those that have survived until today are carefully guarded by their lucky owners. Many have said that they actually prefer this model to the ubiquitous Pultec program equalizers. Both are very high quality passive equalizers with custom inductors and tone capacitors and both are from Western Electric patents, but the fact that the PEQ-2 offers a sharper, tighter response makes it ideal for mix bus use where flabby, undefined sound can ruin your results. A few important differences are: The PEQ-2 has nearly twice as many frequency options to choose from...26 compared to the Pultec ́s 14. The low end is infinitely more controllable as the LANG gives you the ability to Boost and Cut at different frequencies, unlike the Pultec. There is also a very useful 20 kHz option in the High Frequency Peak Boost section.So those lucky enough to still have them will not let them go. In fact, many have stated that they have become their ́secret weapon ́ and totally rely on them to produce their trademark sound. So it is only fitting that the first product from the new LANG Electronics Inc. line would be the PEQ-2.
While having a very simple, clear and easy layout, the PEQ-2 can be deceiving as it is actually capable of some very extreme processing all while maintaining the musicality of your signal. With independent controls for Boost and Droop (Cut) of both the High and Low bands you can quickly transform your material in interesting, creative ways that you have almost certainly never considered before and are not even possible with the Pultec design. Convenient stepped controls provide easy recall and settings matching when working with two units for stereo use. Once you’ve found out how to mold your mixes with these you’ll wonder how you ever managed before.
The ability to boost and cut at the same or similar frequencies produces exciting new equalized response curves. Experimentation is key, but you will quickly realize just how powerful this feature can be. Within no time the PEQ-2 will most likely become one of your most used studio tools. The sheer power if offers with the ease and speed of achieving results is impressive.
Not only does the PEQ-2 offer Low Shelf boost and cut control and High Shelf cut, but it also has a High Peak Boost with a completely variable Q (Bandwidth) setting that spans from Sharp to Broad to cover any needs. What’s more, the range of Boost actually varies depending on what you’re selected Bandwidth setting is to offer a very smooth and natural response at all times... Very clever indeed.
- The Low Shelf Boost offers 8 frequencies to choose from: 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 120, 160 & 240 Hz with up to 16 dB of boost.
- The Low Shelf Droop offers 4 frequencies to choose from: 25, 50, 100 & 200 Hz with up to 18 dB of cut.
- The High Peak Boost offers 8 frequencies to choose from: 2.5, 3.75, 5, 7.5, 10, 12, 15 & 20 kHz with a boost that varies the maximum between 21 and 12.5 dB depending on the Bandwidth setting.
- The High Shelf Droop offers 6 frequencies to choose from: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15 & 20 kHz with up to 16 dB of cut.
A high quality Silicon Transistor Amplifier is used in the signal path to restore the signal back to unity gain. An adjustable Trimmer screw is located on the front panel within the LOGO, and comes after the EQ. A bypass has also been included to make quick comparisons possible between processed and unprocessed signals. And like all the Heritage Audio products, the LANG PEQ-2 comes equipped with custom audio transformers at the Input and Output to make sure you always have a powerful, solid, noise-free signal to work with.
For detailed specs and additional information, please visit the Product Page or call us at 1-888-228-4530. We're here to help!