The Maag Audio EQ4M is a dual-channel, 6-band mastering equaliser that sets itself apart from conventional EQs, offering unparalleled control and a distinct operating approach. Its extensive range provides ultra-wide-range control from the subsonic region well into the upper frequencies. The Maag Audio EQ4M's six bands, including the highly acclaimed Air Band by Maag, begin with the Sub band—a +15dB/-4.5dB bell curve fixed at 10Hz, acknowledging the low-frequency demands of modern digital recording. Moving up the spectrum, you encounter the same (+15dB/-4.5dB) bell curves fixed at 40Hz, 160Hz, 650Hz, and 2.5kHz, after which the EQ4M's Air Band takes the reins. The Air Band offers boost-only (+15dB) shelving at selectable frequencies of 2.5kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz, or 40kHz. Importantly, frequencies below the shelf peaks also undergo subtle changes due to the transitional slope. In 1993, Cliff Maag astounded the audio world with his NTI EQ3, featuring the unique Air Band. To this day, the EQ3 remains revered as one of the most musical EQs available. This 2-channel, 6-band EQ, housed in a 19" rackmount format, laid the foundation for Maag Audio's subsequent innovation. Fast forward a couple of decades, and Maag Audio encapsulates the sonic enchantment of the EQ3 in the EQ4M. The EQ4M boasts "More power, more headroom, and more control than ever before," as eloquently expressed by the company. Esteemed mastering engineers recognise the EQ4M as an exceptional end-of-chain shaper and enhancer, perfectly suited for professional applications. Preserving the integrity of your material is paramount, and the Maag Audio EQ4M achieves this through its minimal phase shift design. This unique characteristic allows you to enhance the airiness of your recordings while finely shaping the tonality from the bottom end to the top. Working in tandem with the absence of phase shift, the Air Band makes the EQ4M an ideal choice for shaping any signal requiring precise adjustment. Key to the EQ4M's magic is the interaction between its bandpasses. When you increase the gain of the Air Band, there is a slight corresponding increase in the overall gain. This intentional consequence, resulting from the summing or interaction of the Air Band with the other bandpasses, ensures the integrity of the sound. To compensate for any additional gain, adjust the Input Attn knob accordingly, allowing the EQ to maintain its desired shape. Another perspective on bandpass interaction involves considering the neighbouring bandpasses above and/or below when boosting a particular frequency. Since the bandpasses interact with one another, this behaviour differs significantly from typical EQs. Familiarity with the interplay between the bandpasses and the Air Band in the EQ4M enables swift sound shaping, leading to remarkable high-end presence and transparency while faithfully preserving the true sonic character of your source material.
