Cranborne Audio has announced its latest product, what they say is the world’s first Harmonic EQ™ - an analogue EQ that uses harmonic saturation to boost and cut frequency content. It enhances your sources, stems and mixes with genuine analogue harmonic saturation with the feel, familiarity, and control of an equaliser. We have the details.
What They Say
Cranborne Audio MD, Sean Karpowicz says “Our Carnaby 500 is a tonal beast that boldly enhances, complements, and shapes your sound, whether you’re tracking, mixing, or even mastering your audio sources. Equalising a signal using analogue harmonic saturation is something that no other analogue EQ nor DSP EQ can do, and we’re very proud of this innovation.”
Key Features
3-band, 500 Series Harmonic EQTM meticulously developed by the Cranborne Audio team in the UK
Custom analogue EQ circuit and unique ‘saturation-core’ technology for Harmonically-enriched EQ effects
Parametric LO and HI shelving bands with ±10dB of cut/boost and harmonic saturation
Parametric peaking MID band with ±10dB of cut/boost, fixed Q and harmonic saturation
LO, MID, and HI LED indicators to display saturation level
±20dB Input and Output Level for dense harmonic saturation or clean EQ effects
OptoSync wireless communication between modules for linked controls during stereo operation
⅛” TRS socket for linking non-adjacent modules
Circuit auto-calibration for perfect stereo matching between all modules
True-bypass IN/OUT switching with complete or post input trim modes available on DIP switch
Stepped, front-panel controls for quick recall and precise feel
3-Band Parametric EQ With More
Carnaby 500 features 3 interactive bands of Harmonic EQ™ with each band having 10dB of boost/cut and its own sweepable and overlapping frequency controls. Each band of Carnaby 500 has a unique blend of harmonic content suited to its frequency band to achieve maximum musicality.
The HI band has a frequency range from 5kHz all the way to 25kHz and uses smooth saturation to naturally extend high frequencies beyond the audio band for ultimate air and breath on vocals and acoustic instruments.
The LO band has a frequency range of 420Hz down to 20Hz and uses hard-clipping saturation to extend sub-harmonic frequencies into the audible low-end - perfect for subtle low-end warming or extreme sub-harmonic saturation.
The MID band is a peaking filter with a fixed Q and a wide sweepable frequency range from 200Hz up to 6.2kHz. It uses saturation to add harmonic emphasis to the source anywhere in the frequency range.
Unlike other EQs, Carnaby 500 has a dynamic response and increases in total boost/cut and harmonics as the circuits are driven harder. An Input and Output level control on each band allows for ±20dB of level adjustment enabling you to drive Carnaby 500 harder with the input control for more saturation and distortion effects or back it off for a cleaner EQ when needed.
Stereo-Link via OPTOSYNC
The Carnaby 500 world-first EQ circuit also features an innovative stereo-linking feature called OPTOSYNC, enabling two Carnaby 500 units to work as a perfect stereo pair for mixes and stereo sources.
Using OPTOSYNC, all controls are synchronized from the left unit to the right without cables or internal fixings. Switch OPTOSYNC for all slave units to ON and their control’s all synchronize to the master unit wirelessly using LED and optical communication. You can also use OPTOSYNC to link together multiple units for applying the same sonic footprint across entire summing mixers or multi-channel surround mixes.
Rugged Industrial Design And Automatic Calibration
With rugged and unique structural support, custom 41-way detented pots on every control, as well as Automatic Calibration of all analogue saturation paths, Carnaby 500 is a timeless processor designed to be a constant audio-enhancer in your studio for years to come.
Legacy Edition
To celebrate the worldwide release of Carnaby 500, Cranborne Audio have created a set of limited edition modules, assembled by hand at their headquarters in the UK. Limited to only 125 stereo pairs worldwide, the Legacy Edition Carnaby 500 brings a vintage aesthetic to the innovative and modern Carnaby 500 Harmonic EQ™ circuit.
The Legacy Edition comes with two retro aesthetic modules featuring consecutive serial numbers, presented in a custom flight-case ready for years of use and careful storage.