The Legendary Trident A-Range EQ in a 500 Series Module
The Trident Audio Developments A-Range 500 Series 4-band equalizer boasts a distinguished pedigree. Delivering an essential ingredient of the sound that launched hundreds of hit records in the 1970s and beyond, the A-Range 500 Series EQ is inspired by the all-discrete transistor circuit developed by Malcolm Toft and Barry Porter for the revered Trident A-Range consoles, only 13 of which were ever built. Accordingly, the Trident A-Range 500 equalizer infuses signals with rich analog warmth, verve, character, and punch, making it a welcome addition to modern DAW-based studio setups.
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Masterful 4-band EQ
The Trident A-Range 500 EQ packs ample functionality into a 500 Series module. Engineers at Sweetwater appreciate the implementation of faders for boost/cut in lieu of rotary pots, which facilitates more accurate parameter settings and recall as well as instant visual confirmation. What’s more, the faders are detented at midpoint to signify unity gain (no boost or cut). Above each of the four faders is a rotary frequency-selection switch for the respective band. With four frequency selections per band, the A-Range 500 EQ encompasses 16 carefully chosen boost/cut frequencies from 50Hz to 15kHz.
Versatile and highly musical
The two mid-frequency bands offer fixed-Q peaking bell curve equalization, while the LF and HF bands offer highly musical shelving. This versatile setup lets you tailor the lows and highs to taste while zeroing in on the exact midrange frequencies you wish to boost or cut. Additionally, three highpass and three lowpass filters are selectable via push buttons below the faders. EQ-engaged and peak-level LED indicators straddle the EQ In-Out button at the bottom of the faceplate. The unit’s line-level input and output are balanced for optimal signal integrity and high output levels with vanishingly low distortion.
The sound heard on countless hits
Trident's A-Range 500 Series equalizer uses the same all-discrete circuitry as the original A-Range consoles, technology that was developed in the early ‘70s. That means when you send a signal through it, you're getting the eminently musical sound heard on records by artists who recorded at Trident Studios in London, including David Bowie, the Beatles, James Taylor, Queen, Supertramp, Mott the Hoople, Bad Company, Free, Rush, Elton John, Manfred Mann, T. Rex and many more. Bottom line: if you’re on a quest to record legendary sound, the Trident Audio Developments A-Range 500 EQ will get you there.
Trident A-Range 500 EQ Features:
- 500 Series 4-band equalizer
- Based on the legendary Trident A-Range console EQ module
- LF selection: 50, 80, 100, or 150Hz
- LMF selection: 250, 500, 1k, or 2kHz
- HMF selection: 3, 5, 7, or 9kHz
- HF selection: 8, 10, 12, or 15kHz
- Boost/Cut range: +/-15dB (variable via per-band faders)
- Choice of 3 highpass and 3 lowpass filters
- Input impedance: 10k ohms, balanced
- Common mode rejection: 70dB
- Equivalent input noise: -85dBu (unweighted, no boost or cut)
- Distortion: 0.05% (+4dBu output, 1kHz)
- Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz (-1dB)
- Filter Q value: 1.3 (1 octave)
- Maximum input level: +22dBu
- Maximum output before clipping: +28dBu (10k load)
- Nominal output level: +4dBu (electronically balanced)
- Output impedance: 100 ohms
- Output noise floor: -85dBu (typical, unweighted)
- Peak LED threshold: +16dBu
- I/O connections XLR: pin 2 +, pin 3 -, pin 1 ground
- Current requirement: 130mA (maximum) per rail
