Cutting-edge 500 Series EQ
Fitted with a high-resolution 3.5" color LCD capacitive touch-controller display and 30-band spectrum analyzer, the Fredenstein F610 UE-1 Equalizer scores a first for 500 Series modules. The F610 UE-1 is a 4-band, digitally controlled analog affair; its four identical filters can be individually tuned from 20Hz to 20kHz. Frequency and gain settings are manipulated by touch or via rotary encoders. Maximum filter gain is ±16dB, with a resolution of 0.25dB. If you should need more gain, you can gang additional filters set to the same frequency for a maximum of 64dB of boost or cut.
Related Videos: F610 UE-1 500 Series Stereo 4-band Parametric Equalizer
Loaded for bear
While the fact that anyone would need 64dB of gain from an equalizer may leave some scratching their heads, most engineers at Sweetwater are gratified that the UE-1 will happily accommodate gonzo gain staging techniques. Not to be outdone in the technical superlatives department, each of the F610's filters boasts a sizable variable-Q range. As you might expect of edge bands, Filter 1 can be switched from bandpass to low shelving, and Filter 4 to high shelving. Further, a variable second-order highpass filter with a range of 20Hz–600Hz is provided as well as a Color function that imparts tubelike vintage flavoring. A hard bypass is fitted, allowing for quick comparison of the dry and equalized signals.
Thanks for the memories
The 30-band spectrum analyzer — which takes full advantage of the F610's gorgeous LED display — features a 60dB dynamic range with sensitivity selectable from +6dBu to +24dBu in 6dB steps. Being able to feed either input or output signals to the analyzer adds to the versatility of the UE-1. Up to 99 settings can be stored in the F610's non-volatile internal memory, while a Micro-USB interface provides total control of the module from a connected host computer via RS232 over USB. Fredenstein clearly intended these impressive capabilities to fulfill the demands of modern recording and mastering. Interestingly, their naming convention here is an homage to the classic K&H UE-100 EQ. Given its groundbreaking features, the Fredenstein F610 UE-1 is a modern classic — one that's already made history.
Fredenstein F610 UE-1 Equalizer Features:
- 4-band EQ with variable Q
- High-resolution 3.5" color LCD capacitive touch-controller display
- 30-band spectrum analyzer
- Each band features ±16dB of gain and a variable-Q range of 0.4 to 7.9
- Filters 1 and 4 may be switched from bandpass to low shelving and high shelving, respectively
- Variable 2nd-order highpass filter with a range of 20Hz–600Hz
- Color function imparts tubelike vintage flavoring
- Hard bypass allows for quick comparison of dry and equalized signals