im currently looking for a hardware eq mainly for boosting

what is considered good but yet affordable

You mean analog domain hardware?

As an effect in a digital domain daw?

yep thats what i mean

Speck ASC is the cheapest hardware eq worth buying. You can expect only disappointment from cheaper hardware EQs. I wouldn't spend money on a hardware EQ if I were you. Even THE parametric hardware eq (GML 8200) is pretty much useless unless you must have an eq in a certain analog-only chain (PEQ Blue replaces it perfectly).

The request seems wrong for two reasons:

1) Cutting is preferred to boosting. Usually.
2) Hardware eqs are not any different (or better) than software eqs.

So can you explain why hardware and why mainly for boosting?

If you get (or have) a half-decent mixer, wouldn't the EQ section on the channel strip be sufficient?

I have a pair of API 550B EQs in my 500 rack and I'm not sure I like them much better than the software EQs I use (McDSP ChannelG, DMG Equality, Eiosis AirEQ). At least not as general mix EQs. I agree with Shy on this one. Luckily I got a great deal on these EQs so if I decided to sell them, I'll likely break even.

The funny thing is, I've mostly been using them in the feedback path of a stereo delay. They sound great when over-driven.

ahh yes forgot that my studiolive 1602 have a eq,will experiment with using that one thanks

well,maybe this is a myth,but i have heard alot of people taking about if you need to boost,its best to use a hardware eq for this

It's not a myth, it's a complete lie made up by someone who doesn't know what they are talking about - they're not your friend, ignore them.

I use software EQs to boost frequencies all the time. I've also been told that this is bad practice but if you are mindful of headroom and frequency response in relationship to other sound sources in your mix, I think it's better to experiment than listen to 'common wisdom'.

In a 'mixing' context cutting is indeed 'the wisdom' as boosting to mask some offending frequency isn't as useful as cutting the offending frequency. Boosting can be done with the volume faders instead, when mixing.

Sound design is a whole different area tho, and pretty much do whatever you want.

The cutting advice needs context to be good advice IMO.

Slightly OT, I've watched some respected, albeit not world class, mastering engineers who advise not to abuse the master channel and then proceed to hammer the shit out of the mix with an eq!!! Really big boosts and cuts, stuff that you would think meant the mix was garbage but it sounded 'good' and dare I say it, mastered!!! These experiences made me far less fearful of mastering eq, but also highlighted the need for a good eq, monitors, room and of course ears.

Just mvho.