Behringer X32 Effects Tutorial – XTEC EQ1

Behringer X32 Effects Tutorial - XTEC EQ1

Welcome to my Behringer X32 FX Series tutorials. Today we are going to be looking at the XTEC EQ1. Be sure to watch my YouTube video that I released on the EQ1 as it goes along with this blog post!

The Dual Xtec EQ1 and Stereo Xtec EQ1 are Behringer X32 Effects that are modeled after the Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer. Originally released in 1951 by Pulse Techniques the EQP-1A is a three band, tube-amplified program equalizer that has been an iconic equalizer used throughout the last 60 years.

Behringer X32 Effects Tutorial - XTEC EQ1

 

The first layer shows us our controls for
  • Gain with a -12dB to +12dB in 0.5dB increments. Depressing the rotary knob also allows us to bypass the effect.
  • Lo Boost gives us our Low Freq. boost adjustment from 0.0 to 10.0 in 0.1 increments.
  • Lo Freq allows us to choose the frequency being adjusted by the ‘Lo Boost’ and ‘Lo Att’ knobs. 20Hz, 30Hz, 60Hz, and 100Hz are available.
  • Lo Att is the Low Freq. attenuation adjustment from 0.0 to 10.0 in 0.1 increments.
  • Transformer is turned on and off via pressing the 5th rotary knob.
The second layer gives us the controls to
  • Hi Width adjustment from 0.0 to 10.0 in 0.1 increments. This is the bandwidth of the ‘Hi Boost’.
  • Hi Boost gives us our High Freq. boost adjustment from 0.0 to 10.0 in 0.1 increments.
  • Hi Freq allows us to choose the frequency being adjusted by the ‘Hi Boost’ and ‘Hi Att’ knobs. 3kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12kHz and 16kHz are available.
  • Hi Att is the High Freq. attenuation adjustment from 0.0 to 10.0 in 0.1 increments.
  • Transformer is turned on and off via pressing the 5th rotary knob.
When inserted, this effect will add a 0.71ms delay to the channel it is inserted on. Additionally, there is a slight EQ curve that is applied to the channel, even with all of the settings flat at 0. Also note that there is a +0.85dB gain increase across the entire spectrum with slight rolloffs on the HF and VLF. When the transformer is turned off, the roll off on the low end is flattened out as seen by the red trace.
Behringer X32 Effects XTEC EQ1 Insert

XTEC EQ1 LO BOOST, LO ATT & LO FREQ

The ‘Lo Boost’ and ‘Lo ATT’ is quite interesting as the adjustment of 0-10 is not 0dB-10dB. Also, notice that the frequencies that are affected by the boost or cut are significantly higher than the quoted frequency. When 100Hz is selected, the curve starts at 4kHz and slopes down to flatten out at 400Hz.

Behringer X32 Effects XTEC EQ1 Lo ATT Behringer X32 Effects XTEC EQ1 Lo Boost

While it is not recommended to use the ‘Lo Boost’ and ‘Lo Att’ at the same time, the frequencies affected by the Lo Boost and the Lo Att are slightly different and can make some very interesting sonic effects. I did notice that when 20Hz or 30Hz was selected that the Lo Boost can add some to the very low frequency while the Lo Att will cut in the part of the band that is typically muddy in a mix.
Behringer X32 Effects XTEC EQ1 Lo Boost & Lo ATT

XTEC EQ1 HI BOOST, HI FREQ, HI WIDTH HI ATT & ATT FREQ

The Hi Boost has 7 different frequencies available to boost at, 3kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12kHz and 16kHz. The bandwidth is adjustable using the HI Width adjustment, however the Smaart measurement below was made with the width set to 0.8.

Behringer X32 Effects XTEC EQ1 HI Boost

We see a typical high shelf with the Hi ATT which is selectable at 5kHz, 10kHz, and 20kHz.Behringer X32 Effects XTEC EQ1 HI ATT

Unlike the Lo Freq, the Hi Boost and the Hi ATT are independent of each other and can be used together with no ill effects.

Behringer X32 Effects XTEC EQ1 HI Boost & Hi ATT

The XTEC EQ1 is a useful effect when trying to create a more vintage sounding mix, however, similar results can be achieved when using the standard EQ built into the board.

 

Want to see more Effects Tutorials?

To view more of my Behringer X32 Effects Tutorials, click here: dBB Audio FX Series

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