Pultec MEQM-5 Midrange Equalizer

Pultec MEQM-5 Midrange Equalizer is the mastering version of the MEQ-5 midrange equalizer, with the potentiometers replaced by 21-position precision rotary switches on custom tapers. The working range is unchanged: roughly 300 Hz to 5 kHz, the region carrying most of the energy in program material and the one hearing is most sensitive to. Three independent sections operate at once, with level restored by a tube stage on 12AX7, 6AQ5 and 6X4.

A midrange where half a decibel is audible

Between 300 Hz and 5 kHz, even small resonances from a room, a microphone or a monitor decide whether material stays listenable past the first few minutes. Moves in that range tend to be small and decisive at the same time, which is exactly where stepped control changes how you work. Instead of hunting for a knob position by eye, you set a specific step, compare it with the previous one, and return to whichever was better without losing your reference. With three sections acting simultaneously, that kind of comparison stops being trustworthy on potentiometers after a few revisions.

Three independent sections in one pass

You can boost a peak curve between 200 and 1000 Hz, boost a second between 1.5 and 5 kHz, and dip anywhere from 200 Hz to 7 kHz at the same time. On guitars, vocals, horns, strings, keyboards, snare and toms that means adding body below, presence above and removing the resonance between them without reaching for three separate units. The mastering version adds repeatable settings and consistency between units, so a pair can work on a stereo bus without risk of shifting the image.

KEY FEATURES

• Mastering version of the MEQ-5 midrange equalizer
• 21-position precision rotary switches on custom tapers instead of potentiometers
• Three independent sections operating simultaneously
• Low-midrange peak boost across 200 to 1000 Hz
• High-midrange peak boost across 1.5 to 5 kHz
• Dip attenuation from 200 Hz to 7 kHz
• Repeatable settings and unit-to-unit matching for stereo work
• Passive equalization with a class A tube stage restoring level

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: passive midrange equalizer with tube line amplifier, stepped controls
• Low-midrange peak boost: 200, 300, 500, 700, 1000 Hz, 0-10 dB
• High-midrange peak boost: 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5 kHz, 0-8 dB
• Dip attenuation: 200, 300, 500, 700 Hz and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 kHz, 0-10 dB
• Controls: 21-position rotary switches
• Input transformer: 600 Ohms
• Output transformer: 600 Ohms
• Noise: below -75 dBm
• Distortion: 0.15% max at +10 dBm into 600 Ohms
• Amplifier response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0 / -1 dB ref 1 kHz
• Tubes: 12AX7, 6AQ5, 6X4 (one each)