Clariphonic

The Clariphonic Parallel Equalizer is a mastering grade, parallel shelving EQ matrix with a new filter shape that allows a single band to lift both the top and the bottom, simultaneously but asymmetrically. The top gets lifted at about a 3:1 ratio compared.

The signal path is super minimal - it's primarily a capacitance network made up of Wima and Panasonic caps - but the switching architecture is extremely cool and allows for a lot of new possibilities. I wanted to create an EQ that was artistic and right-brain in nature, to get you to think about sound in terms of textures and colors rather than numbers.

To that end, there are two engines per channel, the Focus Engine and the Clarity Engine, each of which can have one active band. I call them engines because they work on both ends of the spectrum despite being a single band. Anyway, there are four unique bands to choose from in each engine, each with its own slope and corner on top and bottom. So essentially it's a dual channel two-band EQ that behaves like a four-band hi/low EQ, with eight available filter shapes per channel which, because of the switching network, can be configured in 16 possible combinations.

Sonically, the filters are insanely smooth up top and do crazy cool things to the bottom, but the general idea is tighten/define the lows and lift/open the top with minimal coloration or phase smear. Each engine does that in its own way.

The Focus Engine is more of a broad push that totally clears the mud from sounds, lifts them up and forward, and can be aggressive at max boost but is always easy on the ears; combined with the tight lows it brings a new level of detail and immediacy to the picture.

The Clarity Engine works further out in the spectra, with the highest band's corners being somewhere in the 40hz area on the bottom and the 40k range up top (!). I've never heard air or shimmer like it. You have to be careful, the top on the Clarity Engine is like crack, it's highly addictive and really easy to do more than is wise because it always sounds good, it just takes the lid off the sound and opens it up. Use with caution!