FullTec Program EQ and BLT EQ Bundle - Native


Introduction

Sterile sound; we have all had this problem at one time or another while using digital EQ. It’s not that the EQs sound bad; they just don’t add anything other than EQ. Well, hats off to the team over at URS. They have created an EQ that not only equalizes well but adds a certain tonal color as well. This has been accomplished be emulating the Putec EQP-1 and MEQ-5 tube EQs and placing them in one convenient package. It’s about time.

Installation

Installing the Fulltec is a breeze. Simply “unpack” it and click away. The installer runs quickly and after the normal “terms of use” agreement you are on your way. The authorization process on the other hand is left up to your knowledge of using an iLok key and the iLok website. Authorizations using this method; can be easy or difficult depending on the day. On this particular day I had no problems with authorization. The authorization was deposited into my iLok account and easily transferred on to the iLok of my choice. In the past I’ve had authorizations frozen in terminal pending status. However, the remedy is just a quick phone call away to tech support away.

Fulltec Program EQ

Controls

At first glance the controls on this plug can be a bit daunting; consisting of 17 “knobs” and 7 switches.

First I will discuss the switches. Each frequency band on the EQ has it’s own in/out switch. This comes in handy when trying to diagnose troublesome frequencies. This function is also great for changing the overall “color” of a sound throughout different parts of your material. Simply automate certain frequency peaks or cuts to come in or out to achieve different tonality. The Fulltec also has a master in/out switch as well. This functions the same as a bypass switch. The final switch on this EQ is a phase switch. This is a welcome addition that too few plug-ins feature.

The knobs; even though there are a lot of them, are easily understood as to what their functions are. URS has done a good job keeping the labeling simple and easy to read. There are separate master input and output line trims, high and low shelves with selectable frequencies, as well as each having a separate boost and cut control. These functions are similar to the original Pultec. The Middle area contains separate low, mid, and high sections, each with their own frequency select, bandwidth, and gain controls. The sections have a good frequency overlap, with the overlap growing larger towards the higher frequencies. The knobs may take some getting used to. You cannot click on the knob and move in a linear fashion. You must move around the knob in a “twisting” motion. That aside, you can always just click on the frequency of your choice and the knob will move there. The gain and bandwidth controls can be edited by clicking on the value and typing in a new one.

In Use

The Fulltec EQ changes the tone of your audio as soon as you put it on a track. It is just as if you have patched into an old Pultec. Just by running it through the circuit, the source material gets a nice thickness to it (even if the EQ is flat). This is something that cannot be said about many digital EQs.

As soon as the knobs are turned you realize how warm this plug in is, Creating thick round bass tones as well as a smooth high end. Even when “maxed out” the top end never gets crispy or overly brittle. This is due to URS’s use of hi resolution 48 bit “Double Precision” Processing. The mid programs do exactly what they are supposed to do, without sounding hollow or piercing.

To put this tool to the test I brought up a full 36 track session containing a mixed song. This particular song’s mix had turned out a little sterile and I was interested to see if it could be salvaged. After doing a quick “save as” I proceeded to replace all of the EQs I had used with both; the Fulltec and BLT EQs. I soon realized that these EQs use far less processing power that what I have been using.

These EQs sounded great on almost all of the tracks, with my favorites being electric bass guitar and lead vocals. On some other tracks I was unable to remove undesirable frequencies due to the fixed frequency selection. For example: on the snare track I wanted to remove a little 900Hz, but the only frequency choices are 1k and 700hz. After a short time I was able to come close to recreating my old mix. The main difference being a new warm and fuzzy feeling I had while listening to it. The URS EQs had done the trick.

BLT EQ

Summary

I would recommend the Fulltec and BLT plug-ins to anyone looking for that good ol’ analog sound but don’t have the funds to get a rack of the real thing. They are easy on processing power and sound great.

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