Warmy EP1A

Name: Warmy EP1A
Author: Kiive Audio

by Kiive Audio · EQ · Pultec-style tube EQ

Not rated yet

Warmy EP1A is a free Pultec-style tube EQ with the classic low-end boost and cut trick and smooth high-frequency shaping.

A THD knob and three tube options set the warmth. It is free.

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

Keywords: tube, inspired by, free, classic, bass, vocals, hardware emulation, undo/redo, 50s, bus processing, corrective, drums, full mix, kick, mix bus, mixing, oversampling, resizable UI, silky, static, subtle, vintage, warm.

What it does

Warmy EP1A is Kiive Audio's free Pultec-style tube EQ, now at version 2.1. Version 2 was remodeled "from scratch with new DSP and more tube options" and is aimed at quick, broad tone moves.

Low-frequency section: boost and cut at the same frequency at once, the classic Pultec low-end trick for weight without mud.
High-frequency section: boost and attenuation controls for silky top end, or for taming harshness without losing detail.
Tube selection: a choice of three tube types, each with its own saturation colour.
THD knob: sets the amount of tube distortion, from subtle character to full saturation.
Workflow extras (from KVR users): input and output gain, up to 16x oversampling, undo/redo, a resizable interface and a growing preset library.

The current version is 2.1. It is free, with free updates.

Source: Kiive Audio product page

When to use it

Warmy EP1A is the pick when you want Pultec-style broad tube EQ moves for free. Compared with UA's Pultec Passive EQ Collection, it gives you the same kind of low-end trick and airy top, plus a THD control and tube choice, at no cost, though the UA version models the hardware more closely and includes more units. Against Waves' PuigTec EQs, one KVR user found Warmy clearer, while the Waves plugin has a fatter, bigger character. Unlike FabFilter Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova, it is not a surgical tool: there are no narrow bands or dynamic EQ.

Best for: adding low-end weight and air to kick, bass, vocals and buses.
Genres: all styles.
Look elsewhere if: you need precise parametric EQ (Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova) or a dry/wet mix control, which version 2 lacks.
Tip: the knobs are very sensitive; KVR users suggest holding Ctrl or Cmd for fine adjustment.

What producers say

Users like the sound and the price; the complaints are about handling, not tone.

KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 3 reviews. One said version 2 has "a very, very clear sound" next to version 1's "mushy" one.
Comparisons: a KVR user found it fits some sounds better than the Waves Pultec-style EQ; another compared it to Ignite Amps' PTEq-X.
Criticisms: touch-sensitive dials, no typed-in values, small labels that are hard to read even when enlarged, and no mix control in version 2.

KVR user reviews

Where to buy

Kiive Audio: Free

Tutorials and reviews

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