The Mercury EQ-P2 is two
independent (dual mono) channels of our popular Mono, Mercury EQ-P1
Studio Program Equalizer in a 3U package. Mercury EQ-P2 is based on the
vintage Pultec EQP1a circuit. The Mercury EQ-P2 has a passive EQ circuit
with a fully balanced (push-pull) gain make up amplifier. This new
Mercury production utilizes only the highest quality passive components,
while remaining true to the original classic and like all Mercury
products has transformer balanced input and outputs. Besides a much more
powerful and stable power supply and running DC on the heaters, rather
than AC, an additional frequencies to expand and make it more flexable,
only other modernization is one of Mercury EQP2’s most popular features,
the Mercury I.S.T. Switch.
The Mercury EQ-P2 has transformer balanced input and output, a passive
EQ circuit and with a fully balanced (push-pull) gain make up amplifier.
The new Mercury production utilizes only the highest quality passive
components, while remaining true to the original production. Besides a
much more powerful and stable power supply and running DC on the
heaters, rather than AC, only other modernization is one of Mercury
EQ-P2’s best features, the Mercury I.S.T. Switch.
The Mercury I.S.T. Switch offers the choice to switch the Interstage
Transformer in or out of the circuit. Giving engineers a choice with a
flick of a switch between the standard Mercury warm, musical, “vintage”
tone with the I.S.T. Switch not engaged (out) or a much more open and
airy version of the same full, warm tone with the switch engaged (in).
In the original Pultec EQP the Interstage transformer was always in the
signal path. With the I.S.T. switch engaged and the interstage
transformer not in the circuit, there is slight widening of the sound
and slightly more open top end. Many of today's engineers value this
feature on the Mercury EQ-P1 and now the Mercury EQ-P2 Studio Program
Equalizers to have choice between two great, but different sounds
without changing their frequencies or setting and hearing the change
instantly. Note: With the IST engaged or not, the input and output
transformers are always in the circuit.
Frequencies
Low Frequency Select (CPS): 20, 30, 60, 100, 200 Hz
Low Frequency Boost Control: Shelf Boost, 0dB to +13dB
Low Frequency Attenuate Control: Shelf Atten. 0dB to -17dB
High Frequency Bandwidth Control: Sharp to Broad
High Frequency Select (KCS): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16k
High Frequency Boost Control: Shelf Boost, 0dB to +18dB
High Frequency Shelf Attenuate Select: 5, 10, & 20k
High Frequency Attenuate Control: Shelf Attenuate, 0dB to +16dB
Additional information
Tubes: 1x 12AX7 and 1x 12AU7, per channel
Rack Size: 3U
The Mercury EQ-H1, EQ-P1, EQ-H2 and EQ-P2 are based on the original
Pultec equalizers which were tools developed to deal with the
limitations of recorded music. Limitations that most often manifest
themselves in the highest and lowest frequencies of the program
material. The Mercury Studio Program Equalizers, like the family of
original Pultec EQs, are originally designed to bring back the life and
musicality lost in a recording. Whether by accident or genius, nothing
has been able to do this better in music production than a passive
equalizer with tube gain make up amplifier (‘Pultec style’) equalizer.
The interaction of the passive boosting and attenuating shelving EQs
(not relying on negative feed back), as well as the transformers, tubes
and other amplification circuitry all add to the incredibly musical
character of the product. Working engineers try other types of
equalizers, but always end up coming back to the Pultec style as the
equalizer of choice for those final touches while tracking or mixing and
even mastering at times.
Now in this modern age of digital recording, where the source you put
into the DAW is exactly what you have on the track, with no rounded
edges, no slight compression and none of the “pixie dust” that came with
analog tape, the Mercury family of equalizers are needed more than ever
to help add the musicality, warmth and tone to your tracks that we have
all treasured.
EQ-H2 vs EQ-P2
Simply, the key to the tone of these two circuits is it’s amplifier, and
Mercury EQ-H2 and EQ-P2 have different amplifiers to make up the gain
lost by the passive equalizer circuit, thus it has a different tone.
Meaning the EQ-H2 and EQ-P2 sound different on the same application, and
have a different reaction to the same instrumentation or voice.
The EQ-H2, like the mono version EQ-H1, is more punchy and robust and
has a slight push in the low end and lower midrange. The EQ-P2, like the
mono version EQ-P1, is more open and silky, and equally adds warmth to
highs, mids and lows of your source. Although both sound amazing on any
application and are both multi-purpose tools (equalizers) in the studio,
if you had both you could then choose between applications.
Original Manufacturers Description
Technical Documents
Specifications
Brochure
Product Manual
Recall Sheet
User Testimonials
"I
used the EQ-P1 and EQ-H1 extensively in mixing scenarios, and they performed
like
champs. I was able to dial in silky top-end on vocals and acoustic guitars and
beefy lows on kick drums and mic'ed bass cabinets with truly 'pro' results.
There were many times
when i hit upon a certain setting and found it was 'that sound' I had heard
for years on 'that famous record' that didn't seem possible to get with 'other gear'.
These EQs are so perfectly geared to music that- even with extreme settings
-
it's hard to get bad results with them." Pete Weiss, TapeOp Magazine
#49
"I
heard about Mercury gear about 7 years ago from a bass player friend, Dan Schwartz.
He told me about this
guy was making tube Equalizers that would kill
Pultecs. I was skeptical. He was half correct. Nothing
sounds quite like an old Pultec but Mercury EQs are
one of the best sounding tube Equalizers on the
planet.
The Mercury EQs (EQH1 & EQP1) are a quite original.
All the tone of a classic tube Equalizer but without
the noise and much more power.
Mercury Recording Equipment is ... Full of Tone!" Joe Chiccarelli
Grammy Award winning producer & engineer Joe Chiccarelli's credits include: White Stripes,
Elton John, Beck, U2, Rufus Wainwright and Bon Jovi
"I called to set up a demo of the Mercury M66 Leveling Amplifier and they suggested I listen to the 2 Mercury EQs (Mercury EQH and EQP) as well. I was doing a mix at the time and thought it was a great time to listen in a "real" environment. Although I was not in the market for EQs I thought it would not hurt to listen to them. The EQs were flawless... I compared them to the two "vintage" Pultecs I had side by side... YOU COULD NOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE. Listening with different instrumentation going through them and comparing them both at the same frequency settings side by side, the "vintage" units and the MERCURY EQs sounded EXACTLY THE SAME. I had not intended on purchasing the EQs but after listening too them on the mix I was doing... I purchased both of them!
Bottom line... You will have to hear it to believe
it." - Scott Humphrey
Producer/Engineer/Mix Engineer Scott Humphrey's credits include: Korn, Rob Zombie,
Bon Jovi and Monster Magnet. The
Chop Shop
"Dave's Mercury gear is insane! He provides amazing build quality, a beautiful aesthetic and impeccable
accuracy. I cannot imagine a better version of what he manufacturers. I am quite certain that Mercury will be the dominant force in our industry for years to come." Note: Brian owns 2x Mercury EQH1s
Brian Garcia
Producer/Mixer/Engineer Brian Garcia's clients include: Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Our
Lady Peace, King's X, Dizmas.
Brian's briangarcia.net.
"Since
the days of working at The Power Station and Media Sound in New York, I have
longed for that Pultec sound and vibe. The Mercury EQ-H Equalizer gives me just
that. David Marquette's dedication to sonic greatness is reflected in the unit.
I love it! Now I just need four more!" - Benjy King
"From
the first day i tried the Mercury EQ-H1's, I knew I had to have them... it
was just the sound they made....... amazing!!! So, Dave Piechura and Vintage
King helped me out, and now the Mercury's never leave my mix buss. You gotta
hear them, they're just incredible!!!!!" Jim DeBlanc
Engineer (Alison Krauss)
