Designed for mastering engineers—and boasting a few advantages over the original unit—the SPL PASSEQ is a six-band, passive equalizer presented here in a stylish black finish. Its passive circuitry allows for smooth, musical implementation, allowing you to cut or boost frequencies at values that might be harsh on active EQs.

As with the original unit, this equalizer sports passive coil filters for an authentic inductive-EQ sound, as well as a total of 144 filters, stereo XLR I/O with relay-hard bypass, and 120 VDC Audio Rail technology. SPL employs this technology to ensure low noise, increased headroom, and minimal distortion—even when driving the unit for tonal effect.

This updated PASSEQ provides several improvements over the original, including an extended high-frequency range, now going all the way up to 35 kHz for true air-band processing. You’ll also notice that the Mid-Frequency Cut Switch now reaches down to 200 Hz, rather than 1 kHz, so you can really dig out tubbiness, woofiness, and other euphemisms for low-mid nastiness.

This unit takes up four RU of rack space. For a walkthrough of the PASSEQ’s operation, please peruse the feature section.

Passive EQ with 144 Total Filters    Smooth, Musical Implementation    6 Discrete Bands for Extensive Control    3 Bands of Cut (Low, Mids & Highs)    3 Bands of Boost (Low, Mids & Highs)    High-Frequency Boost Extends to 35 kHz    Adjustable Q on High-Frequency Boost    Midrange Cut Reaches Down to 200 Hz    Auto-Bypass with Interval Control    120 VDC Power Rail for Added Headroom

This EQ may seem intimidating at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the unit’s controls are intuitive and extensive.

Take a look at the left channel: the most prominent feature is a large knob that controls the overall output level of the left side. Below this knob, at the bottom of the device, you’ll note four dials that are your low end. Immediately above these dials are four controls for midrange, and above that center row, you’ll see five knobs for your top end. All controls are duplicated on the right side of the unit; in that case, these knobs control the right channel.

Again, orient yourself around the prominent output-level knob: all of your boosting controls are on the right side of this knob, while all of your attenuation controls are on the left. This is true for both channels.

For each channel, you’re provided with two band controls: one for boosting and the other for cutting. For readability, they are labeled with plus and minus signs, so LF- is for cuts on the low frequencies, while LF+ is for boosts on the low frequencies. Each band control is segmented into 12 different frequency centers, and each band control has its own level potentiometer, adjusting the amount of boosting or attenuation in 41 precise steps.

You’ll note the high section sports one more control than the rest—a bandwidth knob to control how narrow or wide the Q of your high-range boost is. If you’re familiar with the original PASSEQ, you’ll also notice an extended high-frequency range on this model, all the way up to 35 kHz for the air band, giving you the ability to add sparkly highs. Also expanding its usability, the Mid-Frequency Cut Switch now extends down to 200 Hz, rather than 1 kHz, so you can really dig out tubbiness, woofiness, and other euphemisms for low-mid nastiness.  

Also useful is the Automatic Bypass switch with an Interval control; this forces the EQ to automatically go in and out of engaged states at automated intervals, so you can focus on the sonic differences and not be fooled by the “eureka!” feeling of clicking the processor on. 

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. How close do you have to be for it to pick up the sound? I need a mic for a classroom with remote instructor.

A: The Samson G-Track Pro USB Microphone is a condenser style microphone and it should be placed approximately 6 to 12 inches from the mouth for the best audio quality. If you need a microphone to pick up sound from several feet away, you can use a boundary microphone. If you are looking for a USB microphone, you can use models such as the MXL AC-404 Portable USB Boundary Conferencing Microphone (B&H # MXAC404), the Polsen Omnidirectional USB Boundary Microphone with Mute (B&H # POUSOB33), or the CAD U7 Omnidirectional USB Boundary Microphone (B&H # CAU7).

Q: 2. 1. LiveU Solo Pro support Huawei E8372h-153 4G LTE USB Modems? 2. Can I connect any four external USB modems with a Y cable? I

A: Yes, the LiveU Solo Pro SDI/HDMI 4K Video/Audio Encoder is compatible with the Huawei E8372h-153 4G LTE USB Modems, a full list of compatible modems can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/ybz3zwue. You can also use four USB modems with the Solo Pro using the LiveU Solo Pro Y-Cable, MFR# LU-YCBL-KIT-02.

Q: 3. Can i send to a broadcast outlet if they have the LiveU decoders? Or, is this just for RTMP or SRT?

A: The LiveU Solo Pro SDI/HDMI 4K Video/Audio Encoder is not compatible with the LiveU Decode Server. It is designed to output via SRT or RTMP.

Q: 4. Can you remove the rack mount ears? lf so, what is the width without them?

A: According to Technical Pro, the Rack Mount Ears are removable. The Width of the unit will be 17".

Q: 5. Is the SD card slot active in this version, unlike the old Solo?

A: The LiveU Solo PRO HDMI Encoder does not list an active SD card slot.

Q: 6. does this come with a mic stand adapter?

A: Hello, Thank you for contacting Samson Technologies. This item does include an adapter to attach your microphone to any standard microphone stand. If you have any other questions or inquiries, please let me know at any time. Best Regards, James

Q: 7. Will the Tricaster TC1 automatically pickup the audio without routing through Dante?

A: The Vizrt TriCaster TC1 would require a Dante License in order to recognize Dante audio streams created by the Magewell Pro Convert Audio DX. The The Vizrt TriCaster TC1 would be able to natively receive an NDI audio stream created by the Magewell Pro Convert Audio DX.

Q: 8. Is the base removable to allow the mic to be boom mounted?

A: The base is removable and a mic holder is included for attaching to a mic stand or studio boom arm. You may also consider the Samson SP04 Spider Shockmount for G-Track and G-Track Pro Microphones (Titanium Black), BH #SASP04TB, which would provide additional protection form vibrations.

Q: 9. How much power per channel?

A: Technical Pro offer a spec of 1500w peak output total. Unfortunately not able to provide a more accurate per channel or avaerage output specification.

Q: 10. Liveu solo provide LRT bonding server cost including this price ? SOLO SDI PRO work in worldwide or only for USA?

A: The LiveU Solo Pro SDI/HDMI 4K Video/Audio Encoder does not include the LRT service; you need the LiveU LRT Cloud Bonding Annual Service (Download), B&H # LILUSOLOPREM. It can work worldwide via Wi-Fi and Ethernet or with compatible modems for your country.