REQ·131

Lab:One Recordings is proud to bring to you a studio classic to the Rack, with a new modern twist - the ReQualizer model ReQ·131 - a 31 ISO band graphic equalizer, which is transparent in sound yet powerful where it should be.

ReQ·131 makes equalization a breeze - adding tonal character to your own sound, be it solo instruments, vocals, drums or your whole mix, be it in stereo linked, mid or side processing.

Modeled on classic 31 band graphic equalizers, you get the same controls you would expect from hardware counterparts, but with a new digital interface; 31 fader controls (1/3rd octave spacing) for two EQ curve memory slots, with changeable dB control and processing paths (stereo joined, mid or side signal equalization), plus 12dB per octave Low Pass (2kHz to 22kHz) and High Pass (20hz to 400hz) filters, and the essential Input Gain and Output Gain controls (with +/-15dB range), to reign in or let loose your sculpted audio.

Version 2 adds in some extra features that sets ReQ131 apart from the competition:

SHIFT FREQ control allows you to shift all 31 band frequency centres up or down 1/6th octave, so now ReQ131 is a hybrid para-graphic equalizer; allowing you to tune the bands for a more 'musical' experience without getting locked into the clinical industry standard ISO frequency settings.

BLEND AMOUNT allows you to switch or morph between the active curves, meaning you can have both memory banks in use and interpolate between the two EQ curves - handy for those A/B comparison moments. BLEND can also be deactivated so the BLEND AMOUNT control can be used as an A/B switch knob.

GAIN DRY allows the dry input signal (pre EQ) to not be affected b y the main Output Gain control - this allows us to relevel and rebalance the Equalized signal independently to the dry signal - allowing us to be more subjective to our equalization decisions, opposed to the 'louder is better' scenario seen again and again.

COPY TO A/B and RESET EQ - these two controls allow us to reset the Edit-ready curve (use with the Edit A / Edit B buttons), as well as copy from one curve memory to the other - great for scratchpad ideas for EQing and comparing two curves before you commit - all in the same device. Resetting of individual bands is also a breeze now, by simply clicking on and/or click-dragging on the frequency numbers or dB values of those bands - again an intuitive fast way to work with ReQ·131 v2.

Input and Output metering has been revised, so now we have meters for both channels, as well as 0.5sec Peak meter values, to help us not only see the signal metering pre and post EQ, but also how far past digital 0dB we have gone - ReQ·131 allows up to +80dBFS so you know exactly how far past 0dB you have gone, and how much you need to reign the signal back in to not clip.

Version 2 also includes visual representation of the mode - the graphic controls change colour with the set mode (Stereo = Red, Mid processing = Green, Side processing = Blue) - meaning no more hunting down the settings, just a glance over you know what mode you're in, even at distance.

This type of equalizer is aimed at all producers and artists who want the extra tools to shape and tweak their latest tracks in the same way that an engineer would with true real-world rack units. This equalizer is designed to compliment all of your audio, and to give it that pro-studio sound.

ReQ·131 allows you to create custom EQ curves, giving you additional control over every aspect of your latest production. With the addition of preset saving and loading, what better way to keep and recall your ideal presets time and time again.

Watch out for occasional flash sales on this, plus v1 users can upgrade to v2 for only $/€9!.

The manual is available at http://www.lab-one-recordings.co.uk/ReQ131v2MANUAL.pdf

The manual for v1.2.2 is still available at http://www.lab-one-recordings.co.uk/ReQ131Manual.pdf