The EL-Q Lil FrEQ. Instead of daisy chaining EQ's and frequency processors, we tried to cram most of what an Engineer needs into one single-height box, while offering the highest performance of any design we know of.

The EQ Sections

HP – The High Pass section is a sharp filter that cuts all content below one of eight pre-selected frequencies. We call this particular filter a “colored” filter since it is very steep and has a special shape that prevents thinning out frequencies just above the “cutoff” frequency. The corner frequency is indicated by LEDs that glow softly when the section is bypassed, and brightly when the section is engaged. As with all the EQ sections in the Lil FrEQ, there is a dedicated bypass switch.

High and Low Shelving – These are very similar to your standard “Tone Controls”, but extremely high performance, providing exceptionally smooth boost and cut on the “bass” and “treble” frequencies.

Parametric EQ Sections – There are four sections of fully parametric EQ… possibly the cleanest parametric EQ section ever produced- operating below .0007% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) at extremely high audio levels. Try finding those specs anywhere else!

Dynamic EQ Section – The DS section combines filters with a compressor-like circuit that can help contain and control excessive high frequency content such as sibilants, especially in the absence of other lower frequency content. There are two modes of operation, with threshold control as well as a frequency select control. There are four LEDs that indicate the amount of Gain Reduction: -1.5dB, -8dB, -14dB, -24dB. The DS section provides the highest performance, easiest to use, and most natural De-esser ever built, as well as a one of a kind, soft knee High Frequency Limiter. You will love it!

FATSO stands for Full Analog Tape Simulator/Optimizer. This two-channel unit fattens up any audio signal and is great for tracking, mixing, mastering, or enhancing playback. The FATSO features four types of processing; Hamornic generation and Soft Clipping (Distortion generation), High Frequency Saturation (Warmth!), Transformer and Tape Head Emulation (Tape Simulation), and Classic Knee Compression (Empirical Labs style!)

The EL-7 FATSO will enhance and soften the sound of digital mediums such as MDMs (modular digital multitracks), hard disk recorders, DAT or RAM recorders, DAWs, etc. See our web site for an on-line owners manual.

This unique analog compressor is hand-crafted in the USA using only the highest quality audio components. Each unit is vigorously tested and QC'd, then calibrated by hand.

The Distressor gets its name from its feature of incorporating harmonic DISTortion with a classic knee compRESSOR. The Distortion 2 setting introduces a 2nd order harmonic, which adds tube-like analog warmth to the signal. The Distortion 3 setting introduces a 3rd order harmonic, which simulates tape saturation (great for guitars, bass and drums.)

The Distressor is available as a single channel unit, or linked together from the factory as a stereo or dual channel unit. Modifications are available to enhance the Distressor - the British Mode emulates the old trick of pushing all four buttons in on an 1176 to over-drive the side chain input. Stereo Image Link adds phase-aware image linking to a stereo pair. See product brochure and/or our web site for audio specifications and additional features.