The "Tilt-n-Filter" EQ idea was delivered to us by Zak Cohen, owner of the Woodshop Recording Studio, and it is based on a series of plug-ins Zak would routinely set up to equalize music tracks recorded direct into his DAW. The Zodiak reproduces this concept with the same series of eq elements - but in the analogue domain so it can used ahead of the DAW input. The main element of the design is the Baxandall style Tilt eq circuit (originally found on the Quad 44 hifi preamplifer from the 1970's). The concept of a tilt EQ is not new, but with the addition of a fully parametric midrange band and high and low cut filters, the Zodiak caters for a wide range of applications that would otherwise require multiple processors. What's more - the Zodiak is available with three signal path options to suit your taste and budget.
A tilt EQ consists of both a low shelf and high shelf joined at a single corner frequency (in this case 700Hz). This offers a smooth, single control for adjusting the overall tonality of a source. Because high and low frequencies are adjusted simultaneously, small increments result in noticeable changes - +1 dB on a tilt control results in a 2dB shift between the balance of high and low frequencies.
I’ve found this especially useful when tracking all types of different instruments in the studio and especially when using dynamic or ribbon mics where there is often a somewhat attenuated HF response and an abundance of LF proximity effect. Applying a positive value on the tilt control adjusts both ends of the frequency spectrum at the same time, and the shared corner frequency results in an extremely smooth natural sounding result when compared to adjusting multiple bands of a traditional eq, thereby minimizing phase shifts.
My general workflow is to place the microphone in the optimum position with regards to tone, ambience and separation from other sounds in the room and then decide whether the resulting sound leans toward too dark or too bright. Using the tilt control, I adjust the overall balance between HF and LF until the source sounds as natural as possible. At this point there may be aspects to the midrange that are resonant, boxy, nasal (insert your favorite audio adjectives here!) that can be corrected by the Zodiak’s parametric midrange band. In some cases, using a tilt control (like any shelving bands) may result in excessive frequency content at the boosted ends of the spectrum, which can be corrected using the high and low cut filters.
I have found this approach to produce great results with a minimal amount of tweaking. It’s been my experience that using a tilt eq results in less overall adjustments when compared to other eq designs. Some favorite applications are (but not limited to) acoustic stringed instruments, piano, drum kit, electric guitar and of course - vocals.
The Zodiak is a dual channel equalizer with the the following functions on each channel.
LO CUT - a high pass filter that sweeps from 26Hz to 220Hz with a 12dB per octave slope and it's own IN/out switch.
HI CUT - a low pass filter that sweeps from 2.3kHz to 21kHz with a 12dB per octave slope and it's own IN/out switch.
BELL SWEEP - this section is the parametric midrange control with 10dB of CUT and BOOST available. The FREQ control covers 65Hz to 8800Hz with the upper range actitvated with the HI button. The BANDWIDTH control offers narrow to wide bell shaped curves. This section also has it's own IN/out pushbutton switch.
TILT EQ - this control is always in circuit when the channel is switched IN. Clockwise rotation will boost the treble and cut the bass, anti-clockwise rotation will cut the treble whilst boosting the bass.
OUTPUT - this control allows you to trim the output level to match the next device in your chain and has a + or - 8dB range.
PEAK - this LED will light when levels inside the Zodiak signal path exceed +22dBu.
POWER - A handy power on/off switch and associated power led common to both channels and conveniently located on the front panel where it should be!
We understand not everybody can afford "high end" analogue products that use discrete hand made amplifiers, which are labour intensive and therefore expensive to manufacture. So we offer the Zodiak Tilt-n-Filter equalizer in three versions so everybody can get a taste. All versions can be supplied with a silver or black face plate.
Zodiak-ICT. High end Texas Instrument ic opamps in the signal path with an electronically balanced output with Burr Brown line drivers. This version sounds neutral, clean and transparent, similar to a modern high end mixing console in that once you start turning the knobs the magic happens!
Zodiak-ICX. High end Texas Instrument ic opamps in the signal path with a Lundahl LL1517 output transformer. The transformer adds a subtle amount of low end warmth and top end "gliss" to the ICT sound.
Zodiak-DCX. Buzz Audio BE41 discrete opamps in the signal path with a Lundahl LL1517 output transformer. A more vintage sound with dynamic mojo from the Class A high bias circuits coupled to the light transformer colouration.
All IC opamps are mounted on sockets so it is possible to experiment with your own choice of amplifiers if desired.
Zodiak-ICT | US$1660 | €1565 | £1340 |
Zodiak-ICX | US$1820 | €1700 | £1480 |
Zodiak-DCX | US$2090 | €1910 | £1700 |
Hey Tim - I finally bought the Zodiak through Nathan at Atlas Pro Audio, and man… holy shit this thing is such an amazing piece of kit. I think I’m going to need another. And then some other stuff you make, because this thing is really just blowing my mind. I am just amazed at how good this is. The design is excellent, but equally stunning is the build and quality of sonic signature.
James Goodwin
I want to say how much I adore the Zodiak across my mix buss. Bloody fantastic. The tilt opens up the top end very naturally and is not over hyped. I then use the notch to boost around 92Hz. Your filters are marvellous too, I use the low set around 30Hz as I am boosting a little of 10Hz(!) prior to the Buzz. Thank you again. I am loving this EQ but also the ease of tweaks is glorious!
ToKwerX
No product reviews as yet.
Zodiak-ICT Model.
Maximum Input Level; +25dBu
Maximum Output Level; +29dBu.
Frequency Response (Lo and Hi Cut switched out);
3Hz to 200kHz (+/-1dB).
Harmonic Distortion; 0.009% 100Hz to 10kHz.
Output Noise (all bands in set flat); -88dBu A weighted
Channel to Channel Crosstalk; below noise
Indicators; Peak level LED set to +22dBu. Power On LED.
Rear Panel Connectors; Input-XLR3F, Output-XLR3M, Mains IEC inlet.
Size; 1 Unit rack mount, (482Wx44Hx250D).
Weight; 4kg.
Power requirements; 230V/115V selectable.
Specifications are typical of a production unit and are subject to change without notice. 0dBu reference = 0.775 volts RMS
The BE41 is a unique Class A discrete audio amplifier designed by Tim Farrant, the owner of Buzz Audio here in New Zealand. The circuit was originally intended for amplifying the very low level output of moving coil pickup cartridges so it features a very low self noise. It exhibits a wide frequency response and very fast slew rate - even at high gains. The powerful output stage has a self adjusting bias arrangement for excellent reliability.
There are two versions of the BE41, one optimized for low level signals (such as microphone inputs) and the other for higher line level signals. The BE41 runs on up to +/-20V power rails, whilst the bigger brother BE40 runs on up to +/-28V rails.
Buzz Audio Ltd
Blenheim
New Zealand
Ph +64(0)3-577-5597
send us an email
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