Pensado EQ 2
by Acustica Audio · EQ · Signature mixing EQ
Not rated yet
Pensado EQ 2 is a mixing EQ made by Acustica Audio with Studio DMI and Grammy-winning engineer Dave Pensado.
It is a sampled analog-style equalizer for modern mixing, listed at €289 (about $328).
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Keys & Synths, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: mixing, modern, analog-sounding, drums, vocals, hardware emulation, mid/side, musical, synths, bass, bus processing, full mix, mastering, mix bus, oversampling.
What it does
Pensado EQ 2 is the update of Pensado EQ, the first plugin to carry the signature of Grammy-winning engineer Dave Pensado, built by Acustica Audio with Studio DMI. The developer calls the original a "powerful EQ plug-in for the contemporary mixing engineer", aimed at modern hip-hop, pop and electronic productions.
- Four bands: each band emulates a different hardware unit that Pensado used in his own work.
- Filters: separate low-pass and high-pass filters.
- Two preamps: two selectable preamplifiers for analog character.
- Preamp oversampling (new in 2): the Pre1 and Pre2 sections can run at 1x, 4x or 16x.
- Stereo modes (new in 2): Mid/Side and Left/Right processing.
- Presets: factory presets programmed by Pensado himself, for mixing and mastering.
- Engine: built on Acustica's sampling technology (the Acqua engine) rather than plain digital filters; version 2 also brought optimisations and graphic improvements.
The sources did not mention a demo.
Source: Acustica Audio product page
When to use it
Pensado EQ 2 is the pick when you want a coloured, sampled EQ voiced around one well-known mixer's choices, with presets to match. Compared with Pro-Q 4, it gives up dynamic bands, spectrum tools and precise filters for a ready musical character from four modelled hardware bands. It is more flexible than the Pultec Passive EQ Collection, with four bands, two preamps and M/S processing, but it costs considerably more. Against TDR Nova it trades free, low-CPU dynamic EQ for analog-style tone.
- Best for: broad, musical EQ moves on vocals, drums, synths and buses where analog colour is welcome.
- Genres: hip-hop, pop, R&B and electronic, the styles it was voiced for.
- Look elsewhere if: you need surgical or dynamic EQ with low CPU use (Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova) or classic broad Pultec curves at a lower price (Pultec Passive EQ Collection or PuigTec EQs).
Where to buy
- Acustica Audio: $328.16 (€289 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026); price as listed on KVR)
Tutorials and reviews
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