Radial Engineering Q3, User Manual

Page: 4 / 16

Radial Engineering Ltd. Q3 Coil Equalizer 500 Module
True to the Music
®
2
OVERVIEW
The Radial Q3 is different... it does not follow tradition. The usual 3-knob EQ approach is
to select a frequency band using some sort of rotary switch, then set the Q or width of the
peak frequency and then adjust the amplitude of the effect to suit. To create truly usable
audio curves, you really need to combine multiple frequency bands together and mix their
effects. In other words, to recreate the type of curves we have conjured up inside the Q3, you
would need at least two bands and 6 control knobs. This is ‘practically’ impossible in a small
format module like the 500 series as the controls would be so tightly packed, they would be
unusable.
100
-15dB +15dB
250
350
400
500
630
800
1k
1.2k
1.5k
2k
FREQ Q GAIN
To fi t a coil EQ into the 500 series format, a completely different approach was needed. The
Q3 changes convention by giving the user a mind-numbing selection of over 12,000 EQ
possibilities using only three knobs and a few switches. Each 12 position switch is packed
with 11 preset curves that have been carefully selected after exhaustive listening tests.
These were evaluated on voice, bass, acoustic guitar, electric and on drums and compared
using both dynamic and condenser microphones.
We then set about testing how each curve would sound in tandem. There is no doubt that
while some curves will sound amazing on bass, the same curve may not suit mandolin. But
with well over 12,000 combinations, you will surely fi nd lots of very usable sounds.
20 20k 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k
Hz
+10
+8
+6
+4
+2
0
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
Bass Boost
20 20k 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k
Hz
+10
+8
+6
+4
+2
0
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
High Boost
+ + =
20 20k 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k
0
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
-12
-14
-16
-18
+2
Mid Cut
20 20k 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k
+10
+8
+6
+4
+2
+0
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
p
Composite Curve
The 3-knob user interface is so natural and easy to use, that you will be amazed at how
quickly you will become accustomed to it. And once you get started, you will fi nd favourites
that will surely become cornerstones of your recording process.