RZ062 Equalizer
by Audified · EQ · Vintage German tube console EQ
Not rated yet
RZ062 Equalizer is Audified's model of the German RZ062 tube console equalizers from about 60 years ago, emulating over 200 circuit components.
It includes both the RZ062A and RZ062B module variants, tube saturation and mid/side processing, for $99.
Best for: Vocals, Mix Bus, Mastering, Acoustic Instruments, Guitars. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: tube, bus processing, hardware emulation, mix bus, mastering, mid/side, vintage, vocals, bass, full mix, musical, broad-strokes, 50s, beginner-friendly, drums, metering, minimal controls, mixing, preset-driven, single knob, static.
What it does
RZ062 Equalizer emulates the Siemens Klangfilm valve console EQs that Audified calls "just the sweetest EQ of all time". Audified modelled more than 200 circuit components, including the tube stage, and ships two versions of the module.
- RZ062A: bass, treble and a middle knob that tilts the curve around 650 Hz: raise the lows and the highs drop at the same time, and the other way round.
- RZ062B: the same bass and treble with a presence knob that picks one of four frequencies (1.4, 2, 2.8 or 4 kHz) and sets its gain in one control.
- Broad bands: bass and treble are shelves with fixed corners that move in 2 dB steps, made for broad tonal moves rather than surgical cuts.
- Tube saturation: input and output gain let you drive the modelled valve circuit, with orange lamps that light when the harmonic distortion gets strong.
- Mid/side and linking: a Mid/Side matrix and linkable or unlinked channels, plus input calibration and metering.
- Presets: 30+ presets.
This is a separate product from NEOLD's RZ062. A free trial is available.
When to use it
Among the rated EQs, RZ062 is closest in spirit to the Pultec Passive EQ Collection and Waves' PuigTec EQs: few, broad, musical bands with tube colour. RZ062 has its own sound, and its tilt control on the A module gives a quick way to brighten or darken a whole mix that Pultec-style EQs don't offer. Where Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova are the tools for precise or dynamic work, RZ062 is for the sweetening stage after that. Its fixed frequencies and coarse steps mean you set it by ear, not by numbers.
- Best for: the master bus and mix bus, vocals, and broad tone shaping on drums and bass where a bit of valve colour helps.
- Genres: general purpose; especially pop, rock and acoustic mixes and mastering.
- Look elsewhere if: you need many bands, chosen corner frequencies or surgical cuts (Pro-Q 4, TDR Nova), or a lighter CPU load.
- Tip: Sound On Sound found the A module the more useful of the two, and noted that even set flat it adds character worth having on the mix bus.
What producers say
Both major reviews praised its musical, characterful sound, with CPU load and the coarse controls as the main drawbacks.
- Sound On Sound (Sam Inglis, 2018) called it a strong master bus EQ that can give "almost any mix an instant kick", and liked its sound even when set flat.
- MusicRadar praised it as remarkably musical with gorgeous tube saturation and two useful middle-control options, and found it excels on vocals.
- Criticisms: SOS flagged steep CPU use, no control over corner frequencies, 2 dB steps that make it easy to overdo, and a learning curve; MusicRadar found the presence knob unintuitive and the EQ limited to broad strokes.
Where to buy
- Plugin Boutique: $49.50 (regular $99)
- Best Service: $83
- Audified: $99
Tutorials and reviews
- Review: RZ062 EQ by Audified
- Review - Audified RZ062 EQ Plug-in
- Audified RZ062 Equalizer EXPLAINED
- Audified RZ062 Equalizer
- RZ062 EQ - Product Showcase
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