The large blue panel of the Pultec studio rack equalizer has a place like few other pieces of gear in the history of recording, and the Origin Effects M-EQ Driver puts its sound, quite literally, at your feet.
Using the Adaptive Circuitry system recently introduced on the company’s TS-inspired Halcyon Green Overdrive, the UK company has crafter a pedal that reinterprets – rather than recreating – the character imparted by that legendary piece of gear to the signal, optimizing it for guitar and, therefore, mid frequencies.
The M-EQ Driver’s subtitle “Mid Booster & Drive” speaks volumes about the circuit, which gives the player a choice of three mid-range frequencies (800Hz, 1kHz and 1.3kHz) that can be boosted or cut by the Mids knob. On top of that, a Cut control allows to roll off the high end for smoother, warmer, or darker tones.
A Drive knobs allow to add some grit to the signal, producing a range of saturation from a classic “mid-hump” overdrive all the way to Zappian “cocked wah” distortion.
The Adapt switch deserves a little paragraph. When engaged, it reduces the effect of the Cut control, because the circuit responds dynamically to the performance, and that affects the high-end as well, slightly opening the filter dynamically. When that switch is off, the effect of the Cut knob will be static, i.e. always the same.
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Origin Effects M-EQ Driver, Builder’s Notes
Based on a vintage Pultec® studio EQ, this unique pedal offers a range of mid-focused tones, from a subtle mid boost to thick, resonant overdrive. Featuring our Adaptive Circuitry recently introduced on the Halcyon Green Overdrive, we are bringing you an inspiring pedal with a character all of its own and a new flavour of drive.
Still sought after today, the passive Pultec® EQs of the 1950s can be heard on thousands of hit records thanks to their highly musical, versatile EQ curves and the ability to overdrive their push-pull output stage. Rather than an exact replica, we have chosen to reimagine this classic piece of studio gear as a guitar-oriented, compact pedal, with a harmonically rich, transformer-equipped circuit recreating the sonic footprint of the original.
A choice of three mid-range frequencies ensures that you can boost just the right part of your guitar signal and, when pushed harder, can elicit a range of saturation from a classic “mid-hump” overdrive to fierce “cocked wah” distortion. Thanks to the Adaptive circuitry, the high-end roll-off of the Cut control is reduced as the pedal cleans up. This allows for a smooth transition from warm overdrive to bright clean tones in response to playing dynamics or guitar volume knob changes.
Built in the UK to the highest standards, the M-EQ DRIVER continues the Origin Effects tradition of vintage, studio-inspired tones in modern guitar pedals. The Origin Effects M-EQ DRIVER is available now from Origin Effects dealers worldwide. Find out more at www.origineffects.com.
