Waves MEQ-5 user manual Product Overview, About the Modeling, Total Harmonic Distortion

1.2 Product Overview

ABOUT PULTEC

Custom-engineered and built by hand, the original Pultecs have long been a top choice of leading recording and mastering engineers. Pultecs are known for their ability to bring out individual frequency ranges without significantly altering other frequencies.

In 1951, Gene Shenk and Ollie Summerland of Pulse Techniques Inc. introduced the first passive program equalizer, the EQP-1. Using equalization circuit designs licensed from Western Electric, the initial Pultecs suffered the gain insertion losses typical of passive filters. So, they added a gain makeup stage, using a push-pull design with multiple vacuum tubes. The result is the classic we’ve come to know as the EQP-1A.

Subsequent Pultec units included the EQ-H2, the EQP-1A3, and, of course, the MEQ-5.

1.3 About the Modeling

Many different elements contribute to the unique sonic characteristics of analog gear such as the Pultec MEQ-5. Waves painstakingly modeled and incorporated these elements into the PuigTec MEQ-5 in order to fully capture and replicate the sound and performance of the original equipment.

These are some of the most important elements of analog behavior:

•Total Harmonic Distortion

Perhaps the most important analog behavior is Total Harmonic Distortion or THD, which is defined as the ratio of the sum of the powers of all harmonic components to the power of the fundamental frequency. THD is usually caused by amplification, and changes signal shape and content by adding odd and even harmonics of the fundamental frequencies, which can change the overall tonal balance. THD can also change peak output gain, usually by no more than +/- 0.2-0.3 dB.

Waves PuigTec MEQ-5 User Manual

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