New Music Gear Monday: PSP Datamix A567 EQ Plugin

If you own a DAW then chances are you own a ton of plugins. For many it’s gotten to the point where they won’t even consider another unless it’s really something different, especially when it comes to EQ. While it’s true that almost all of the hardware equalizers of note have been modeled already, there is one that’s never been attempted, until now. That’s the EQ from the original Datamix consoles, and PSP has finally done it with their A567 EQ plugin.

OK, so what’s so special about the Datamix console that makes this a special plugin? You have to remember that there were very few console manufacturers in the 1960s, so many of the boards that lived in top line studios were basically hand-built one-offs. Datamix built the consoles for the Record Plant NYC, and later for Jimi Hendrix’ Electric Lady studio. As a result, many of the classic tracks that we’ve come to love were recorded through a Datamix, including tracks by Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Kiss.

The thing about the equalizers in the desk is that they weren’t the clinical, by-the-textbook EQs found in later consoles. These had a sound even when set to zero, and operated a lot differently from just about anything else before or after. PSP has modeled that sound in its A567 plugin reproduction.

It’s Different

The A567 is a 3 band EQ, with Input and Output controls. That doesn’t seem like much to get excited about until you realize how those 3 bands work.

For instance, the low band features peaking on boost, and either peaking or shelving on cut, with selectable frequencies at 30, 60, 120 or 240Hz. The mid band features peaking boost, but notch type cuts at 500, 800, 1.2k or 2kHz. The high band has peaking boosts and shelving cuts at 4k, 8k, and 10kHz. You can alter the resonance in the high band by choosing Sharp mode on the bottom right of the plugin.

The input section allows you to dial just the right amount of grit, while the output section emulates the transformer originally used in the hardware.

One of the things that gives hardware consoles their unique sound signatures is the fact that each channel sounds slightly different due to the tolerances of the electronic components used. You can emulate this difference with the 8 channel selections on the bottom of the A567, and take it a step further with the Variation slider right next to the selections.

This is a very cool plugin that acts differently than any other EQ in your toolbox, so it’s worth a look.

The PSP Datamix A567 EQ plugin has an introductory price of $99 under November 15th, when it returns to its regular $149 price. There’s also a 30 day trial period available.

You can find out more here, or watch the video below for more details and to hear what it sounds like.

---