A Mastering EQ like No Other

Maag Audio's EQ4M mastering equalizer is a no-compromise dual-channel, 6-band unit that works differently than other EQs you've likely used, with ultra-wide-range control from the subsonic, well into dog-frequency territory. The EQ4M's six bands, which include Maag's acclaimed Air Band, start with Sub, a +15dB/-4.5dB bell curve fixed at 10Hz - Maag's nod to the LF realities of modern digital recording. Moving up, you have the same (+15dB/-4.5dB) bells fixed at 40Hz, 160Hz, 650Hz, and 2.5kHz, whereupon the EQ4M's Air Band takes over. Air Band gives you boost-only (+15dB) shelving at 2.5kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz, or 40kHz. Owing to the transitional slope, frequencies below the shelf peaks are affected as well.

Maag Audio EQ4M at a Glance:

• The EQ4M back story
• Minimum phase shift preserves the integrity of your material
• Bandpass interaction is key to the EQ4M's magic
• Bandpass interaction, part 2

The EQ4M back story

It was 1993 when Cliff Maag rocked the audio world with his NTI EQ3, which featured the unique Air Band. Regarded to this day as one of the most musical EQs on the planet, the EQ3 was a 2-channel, 6-Band EQ in a 19" rackmount form factor. Flash forward a couple of decades, and Maag Audio captures the sonic magic of the EQ3 in the EQ4M, which features, in the company's words, "More power, more headroom, and more control than ever before." Music Experience mastering engineers using the EQ4M hail it as an end-of-chain shaper/enhancer par excellence.

Minimum phase shift preserves the integrity of your material

Due to its unique design, phase shift is kept to a minimum in the Maag Audio EQ4M. This lets you preserve the integrity of your material and enhance the airiness of the recording, while shaping the tonality from top to bottom. The Air Band, in conjunction with the absence of phase shift, makes the EQ4M perfect for any signal that needs shaping.

Bandpass interaction is key to the EQ4M's magic

The bandpasses in the EQ4M interact with one another. If you increase the Air Band gain, you'll also, to a small degree, increase your overall gain. This ensures the integrity of the sound and is an intended consequence of the design stemming from the summing (interaction) of the Air Band with the other bandpasses. To compensate for any additional gain, simply back down the Input Attn knob and your EQ will maintain its shape.

Bandpass interaction, part 2

Looked at another way, if you're boosting a particular frequency, consider backing down level on neighboring bandpasses above and/or below. Because the bandpasses interact with one another, this behavior is quite a bit different than your typical EQ. Once you get used to how the bandpasses and the Air Band interact in the EQ4M, you'll be able to quickly shape your sound and achieve stunning high-end presence and transparency, all the while remaining faithful to the true sonic nature of your source.

What Maag Audio says...

The EQ4M is Mäag Audio’s flagship mastering equalizer. It is based on the company’s original 6-band NTI EQ3 and like that original 2U equalizer, the 1U EQ4M also includes Cliff Mäag’s unique and noteworthy Air Band® shelving equalizer first introduced in 1993 with the NTI EQ3.

The EQ4M has garnered significant praise as “the most musical-sounding equalizer ever made” because of its classic design, component quality, and high voltage power supply. Powered by an internal high current +/- 18-volt regulated power supply, the EQ4M has a maximum output level of +28.5 dBu while driving 600-ohm load impedances. The unit measures only -2 db down at the extremes of 10Hz and 75kHz—essentially a flat frequency response in the audio range.

Each channel of the EQ4M has six EQ band sections. They are divided into four fixed frequency bell-shaped equalizer sections, a 2.5kHz shelving equalizer section, and the Air Band equalizer with a choice of 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 kHz frequencies. The five frequency bands in the main section are: Sub or 10 Hz, 40 Hz, 160 Hz, 650 Hz, and the 2.5 kHz shelving EQ.

• The EQ4M™ rides on extremely clean +-18v rails without the need of any supporting chassis or power source.
• More power, means more headroom. The EQ4M™ has an extra 2v compared to the EQ4® and boosts headroom to +29 dBu.
• The EQ4M™ offers more control with its true in/out bypass, a transparent INPUT ATTN (attenuator), and an extra 15 kHz selection on the AIR BAND®. All controls are stepped (detented).