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The pinnacle of Lang's run in the 1950s and 1960s is the PEQ-2. This solid-state equalizer is often associated with the Pultec EQP-1A, as both feature a similar passive two-band design. In truth, both EQs are actually influenced by the same Western Electric design patent. The Lang stands out for having more selectable frequency points and an extra powerful low end.
Lang Electronics PEQ #251 arrived at the Vintage King Tech Shop earlier this year and is now available for purchase. Read on to learn more about the equalizer’s controls and see additional photos of the unit after it was serviced by our longtime technician Scott Krause.
The Lang PEQ-2's design is pretty simple. The equalizer is split into frequency bands, with the left half handling the low frequencies and the right half handling the high frequencies. There are two knobs in each section, Boost and Droop, or as it's more commonly referred to today, Cut. Each Boost and Droop control has a dedicated gain knob with varying degrees of +/- dB.
In the middle of the PEQ-2 is an HF Boost Bandwidth knob that adjusts the shape of the peak boost curve from broad to sharp. There is also an EQ bypass on the unit's far left side and a power switch on the far right side. Let’s take a close-up look at the frequency and gain settings for this legendary EQ.
Low Frequency Boost: 20, 30, 40, 60, 80. 120, 160, 240 hZ
Low Frequency Boost Control: 0 to +12 dB
Low Frequency Droop: 25, 50, 100, 200 hZ
Low Frequency Droop Control: 0 to -18 dB
High Frequency Boost: 2.5, 3.75, 5.0, 7.5, 10, 12, 15, 20 kHz
High Frequency Boost Control: 0 to +18 dB
High Frequency Droop: 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10, 15, 20 kHz
High Frequency Droop Control: 0 to -16 dB
The Lang PEQ-2 usually gets the most love for its treatment of bottom-heavy sources. In particular, bass, bass synths, and kick drums can benefit from passing through the EQ, as it provides ample low end control, but keeps things sounding tight.
Another popular use of the Lang PEQ-2 is on vocals. Many engineers reach for 20 kHz on the high band to add airy brilliance to a singer’s performance. This simple adjustment can impart a beautiful, silky-smooth sheen to vocals, helping them really stand out on any mix.
Lang PEQ-2 #251 arrived at the Vintage King Tech Shop earlier this year. While the unit was functional, it wasn’t performing up to our standards, with the primary issue tracing back to the power supply. Technician Scott Krause identified and replaced a faulty transistor in the PSU to restore proper operation, then completed a full service of the PEQ-2 itself. This legendary EQ is now back in top form.
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