Tube-Tech HLT2A Hi and Lo Shelving EQ with T-Filter
The TUBE-TECH HLT 2A is an all-new kind of Equalizer, combining High and Low shelving Eq plus Hi and Low cut filters with an innovative T filter “tilt” midrange Eq.
It’s the first time this combination of filters has been designed in the analog domain.
A totally new kind of analog equalizer that combines variable high and low shelving eq and filters with an adjustable midrange T-Filter.
The midrange T-Filter “tilts” the entire spectrum around a selectable midrange frequency point. Frequencies above that point increase (or decrease) while frequencies below that point decrease (or increase). This unique topology, provides a powerful and uniquely efficient way to get beautiful-sounding overall equalization. As such, the Tube-Tech HLT-2A is destined to become a “go-to” equalizer in high-end mastering houses,smaller project studios, and everything in between.
Like all Tube-Tech processors, the stereo HLT-2A possesses a warmth and character that breathes life into a track and gives it an organic body that somehow manages to occupy real physical space inside a stereo mix,
However, the functionality of the HLT-2A is unique in the Tube-Tech line – and indeed in the world of analog processing. Users will find that the HLT-2A generates quick, intuitive results that can range from mild to extreme, and it sounds great on individual tracks or strapped across the drum bus or the mix bus.”
Statements from Engineers who Tested the Prototype:
François Fanelli, Sonics Mastering, France:
“It’s a great sounding unit, low noise, wide bandwidth, behaves very well at hot level, adding a nice and discreet warm tone. The unit looks beautiful and reminds me of the old pulse technique design. The quality of construction and sound is undeniable”
Oliver Lonien, Germany:
“As a Tube-Tech fan and user for years, I must say, again a very well and very musical sounding product. The HLT-2A was perfect for adding beautiful lower as well as higher frequencies. I mainly used it for some guitar groups or in my main mix buss. I also used it in combination with my SMC 2B and in this case, it doesn’t’t matter if it was routed before or after it. Both sounded great. I think this EQ would definitely be a tool for buss or summing processing in mixing as well as mastering.”
Cenzo Townshend, UK:
“It sounds amazing! I had the pleasure of trying the prototype, and I found it great on vocals and awesome for shaping the drum buss. I’m really impressed with the filter/tilt and, in thinking about it, as it’s stereo, the price isn’t outrageous! Thanks to Oliver Morley (TUBE-TECH UK distributor) for letting me have a play. I may well be after one in the new year.”
Mike Wells, Mike Wells Mastering Los Angeles, USA:
“The HLT2A can take care of stuff at the high frequencies better than any other unit in my racks. I’m buying one as soon as it’s ready! It sounds GREAT!”
Anders Schumann, C4 mastering Copenhagen:
“Super cool and extremely good sounding with character! Adds nice color and quality to dead mixes from home studios. – I must say that testing the HLT2A was the best sex I had with a new outboard unit for a long time. – I want to buy it NOW!”
Features:
– TUBE-TECH HLT 2A is a stereo unit, featuring low and high cut filters, low and high shelving filters and a T-filter.
– The shelving filters are designed around a high gain tube amplifier.
– The T-filter is a passive filter placed between the shelving filters and the output amplifier. All three sections are supplied with a in/out switch. The low and high cut filters are also passive with a slope of 6dB/octave.
– A bypass switches the whole filter section out of the amplifier circuit, keeping the output stage in the circuit.
– The T-filter is like a seesaw. When the low end goes up, the high end goes down and visa versa.
– When the potentiometer is turned clockwise, the high frequencies are boosted and the low frequencies are attenuated.
– When the potentiometer is turned counter clockwise, the low frequencies are boosted and the high frequencies are attenuated
– The unit is all tube based except for the power supply.
– Input and output have fully floating transformers.
– All DC voltages are stabilized, except the anode voltage for the output stage.