GYRATEC XIV

Name: GYRATEC XIV
Price: 169 USD
Author: Antelope Audio

by Antelope Audio · EQ · Stereo passive tube EQ

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GYRATEC XIV is a stereo passive tube EQ in the Pultec tradition, modeled on Gyraf Audio's Gyratec XIV.

Its parallel filters are wide when boosting and narrow when cutting, with a tube makeup stage and a mono mode, for $169.

Best for: Mastering, Mix Bus, Vocals, Bass, Drums. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: tube, hardware emulation, mastering, parallel processing, wide, bass, bus processing, drums, inspired by, mix bus, surgical, vocals, broad-strokes, full mix, subscription, 50s, aggressive, circuit-modelled, component-modelled, lush, mixing, smooth, spacious, static, subtle, thick, vintage.

What it does

GYRATEC XIV is Antelope's model of the Gyraf Audio Gyratec XIV, a stereo passive tube equalizer inspired by the Pultec design. Its idea is a Pultec-type sound with far more frequency choices, aimed at both "lush mastering equalization" and precise corrections.

Five bands: each with 11 switchable frequencies, for 55 frequency choices in total.
Cut, bypass or boost: a three-way switch on every band, with its own variable Q.
Q that changes with use: wide and smooth when boosting, much narrower and more aggressive when cutting, approaching a notch.
Parallel G14 filters: the hardware's parallel passive filter design, built from inductors and capacitors, is modeled at component level.
Tube output stage: a tube makeup gain stage that adds thickness and depth.
Stereo and mono: stereo by default, where the developer says it subtly widens the image without phase problems, plus a mono mode for single tracks.
runs as a normal plugin, and in real time on Antelope's Synergy Core interfaces.

Version 1.0.1 needs no Antelope hardware. Stores often discount it steeply. It is also included in the Antelope Cosmos subscription, which has a free trial.

Source: Antelope Audio product page

When to use it

GYRATEC XIV is a Pultec-flavoured passive tube EQ for people who want more frequency choices than a classic Pultec layout gives. Compared with the Pultec Passive EQ Collection and PuigTec EQs, it swaps the familiar low and high boost/attenuate panel for five bands with 11 frequencies each, so it is less of a copy of the original and more of a broad tonal shaper. Its cuts get narrow and aggressive, which lets it handle corrections that a Pultec can't, but it is still a stepped, switched EQ: Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova are far quicker for precise, visual surgery. It also costs much more than the Antelope compressors at full price, so it makes most sense on sale or inside the Cosmos subscription.

Best for: mastering and mix bus tone, broad boosts on bass, drums and vocals, and the odd narrow cut.
Genres: any.
Look elsewhere if: you want a classic Pultec panel (Pultec Passive EQ Collection, PuigTec EQs) or fast, precise parametric work (Pro-Q 4).

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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