PTEq-1a Tube Effect Not Working

VST, AU, AAX, CLAP, etc. Plugin Virtual Effects Discussion
Post Reply New Topic
RELATED
PRODUCTS

Post

Hi,

I don't know if I'm in the right section for this. If I am, please redirect me.

I've started using the PTEq-1a (an AWESOME freeware EQ http://www.kvraudio.com/product/pteq-1a-by-ignite-amps modeled after the old Pultec EQ hardware) on my mix bus. It has worked WONDERS to brighten up my mixes and get them sounding closer to a lot of the pro mixes I've been referencing.

However, I'm a little put off by something about it. According to the manual, the "Tube" switch is supposed to active the tube saturation built into the plugin. But when I flip the switch, nothing happens. I hear no audible difference, even when I crank the input gain up to maximum (and turn the output back down to match the original level).

I even did the phase test: I made two copies of my mix, both with identical settings other than the "tube" switch being on/off. They did not perfectly cancel, but the resulting audio was so faint that I had to crank it up with a gain plugin just to be able to hear it.

What's up with that? Is my plugin broken? Is my DAW disagreeing with me? Or is this plugin just a great EQ and not a saturation effect?
Check out my YouTube channel for vocal effects tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/user/Shaloxeroligon1

Post

Let Us know what's your DAW... (in my Nuendo5 & Studio1, on PC works good also if the tube is subtle)...

... Or going to the free TDR VOS SlickEQ (http://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-vos-slickeq/)! ;-)

Post

You can't get audible saturation with any tube eq.Maybe little bit but not like tube saturators.Tubes used as gain stage to recover losses in Pultec type eq.Cause Pultec is passive eq.There is no additional gain in eq section.And level is about -20dB without gain stage.

Maybe you can't hear difference with Pultec but you can feel.It's about sonic quality.

Post

Tube definitely works here, but is subtle. You can check it yourself using VST Plugin Analyser.

Overtone DSP PTH2A-CM is another excellent free Pultec clone, and less CPU intensive than PTEq-1a. Even more CPU friendly is Pushtec 5+1A by Leftover Lasagne.

You can also check out Sonimus SonEQ, with subtler EQ than those I have already mentioned, but has a drive which isn't subtle at all.
Also very CPU friendly.
It's easy if you know how

Post

Check out the Sknote Pultec its really cheap but in my opinion its better then the new uad revisions witch are 10 times the price !

Post

As already stated, the PTEq-1a tube stage is not meant to distort.
The effect is subtle, but it adds even and odd harmonics to the sound, which is what usually makes analog equipment so special.

Regards

Post Reply

Return to “Effects”