Empirical Lab Lil FrEQ 4 Band Parametric Mono EQ
Empirical Lab Lil FrEQ 4 Band Parametric Mono EQ
As with ELI’s other signal processors, the Lil FrEQ Equalizer takes a somewhat unique approach to its job. Instead of daisy chaining several equalizers and frequency processors, Empirical Lab combined most of the sound sculpting tools an engineer needs into a compact single rack space box, while still offering the highest performance of any design in its class.
Features:
- Possibly the most powerful Analog EQ ever produced. Eight sections of processing!
- Two shelving Equalizers, Special 3rd order HP (Low Cut) section with 8 selectable Frequencies, 4 Fully Parametric bands, and one Dynamic Equalizer section.
- Dynamic Section that can be used for De-essing and high frequency softening.
- Movable Dynamic Section. For instance, De-essing can be before or after EQ.
- Highest audio performance of any Parametric EQ ever available. The total harmonic distortion is typically below .0006% with all EQ bands Engaged! (See specs below).
- Performance exceeds any digital EQ in terms of Distortion and Noise. There is no Analog to Digital Converter that can currently produce such low distortion and noise.
- Built in Instrument Preamp/Direct box – Just plug a guitar or bass etc into the front panel and engage the instrument Switch, and you have the highest performance direct box currently available. Distortion is below .0007% on the Instrument Preamp, 114dB dynamic range.
- Three Outputs, including a Class A transformer output to give you an isolated output with the wonderful soft saturation and beefy low end that you get from your favorite vintage gear.
- Traditional and digitally controlled analog combined in new topology.
- Huge “DISTRESSOR” knobs with high resolution numbering – For easy readability and repeatable settings. They also go to 10 1/2.
- A “BAD!” Hard Clip Indicator lights – A “Bad” Clip LED that lets user know he is within 1dB of hard clipping. It monitors every section of the EQ for internal clipping.
- Locked, calibrated, output level – Allows speed in setting tape and live mix levels.
- Foolproof operation – it’s almost impossible to clip or get a bad sound.
- Single height and light weight – More processing than any other single height analog EQ.
- Discrete and integrated combination -The best of speed/linearity with repeatability. Hand tested & selected components. All metal film and Roederstein resistors in the audio path – top quality components, most being high temperature military spec parts.
- Switchable 115/230 volt operation – Extra fuse provided inside unit.
- True EQ bypass – Know what it’s really doing.
- XLR and 1/4″ phone ins and outs – XLR fully balanced design, pin 2 hot. Changeable by user to pin 3 hot!
- No internal connectors, high reliability parts and military grade switches and relays. All contacts doubled up for maximum reliability.
- Interface and features found nowhere else.
- Hand wired, calibrated in USA. Shipping weight 14 Lbs.
Empirical Labs had to buy a new analyzer to even measure the distortion.
Specifications:
- Frequency Response – 5 Hz to 140 kHz on transformerless inputs and outputs. Transformer output 10Hz to 110 kHz.
- Dynamic Range – 120 dB from maximum output (.1% clipping) to minimum output. Greater than 110 dB signal to noise.
- Distortion – Ranges between .00056% and .005% depending on mode and settings. DS section has THD < .005%.
- I/O – DC coupled inputs and outputs and one transformer coupled output.
- Dynamic Time Constraints – Attack is approximately .5 ms. Release .04 sec fixed internally.
- Power Consumption – 15 Watts Max.
- Metal Chassis – single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.
- Shipping info – Box dimensions 22.5″ x 18.5″ x 3 1/4″.
