The mad scientists at UnderToneAudio have recreated their legendary (and rare!) MPEQ-1 rack hardware as an affordable plug-in. To understand my excitement, here's some history and context: The original hardware MPEQ-1 was a single-channel-strip Class A mic preamp/DI/EQ, which itself was a standalone version of the channels in the UTA custom mixing consoles. The hardware MPEQ-1 also begat the UTA 500 Series EQs, the UTEQ500 units [Tape Op #161]. All these hardware EQs shared a similar topology and several unique features, including options to blend between peak and shelf EQs and the wild ability to reverse the phase of a particular frequency band (“Vari-Phase” mode). Bonkers. The MPEQ-1 is also noted for using Class A amplifiers at all the gain stages in its circuit design. Many Class A EQs only have one Class A gain stage, usually for the final summing. This hyper-engineered approach, flexible user interface, and killer tone shaping are what led to the MPEQ-1 becoming “unobtainium” in the years after it was discontinued by UnderToneAudio. The hardware can only be found infrequently and always at a premium price, holding its value due to its reputation for quality and its unheard-of feature set.
UnderToneAudio: MPEQ-1 EQ Super-Parametric Saturation Equalizer plug-in
REVIEWED BY Dana Gumbiner