Knif SOMA Passive Equalizer

The Knif SOMA is a versatile dual-channel audio equalizer intended for audio mastering and mixing applications. It is a clear departure from the old "passive EQs are for general shaping only" paradigm.

TRUE PASSIVE EQ WITH REAL Q ADJUSTMENT

Soma is the only commercially available passive EQ with real Q adjustment. This steps up the usability and accuracy of the device to a whole new level, far above the products using a resistor based Q adjustment. In the traditional architecture, the Q setting affects boost/cut amount and does not offer a wide range. In addition to a four band parametric equalizer, there are also high-pass and low-pass filters included with an elliptic filtering capability.

PRECISION FILTER NETWORK AND COMPONENT QUALITY

The implementation of real Q adjustment and frequency selection is established by switching capacitor and inductor values via gold-plated subminiature relays (about 150 pcs in Soma). The switching is controlled by elementary CMOS logic circuits instead of a microcontroller for extended lifetime and ease of maintenance. All rotary controls in the Soma EQ are manufactured by Elma. The mu-metal shielded inductors are wound in-house and all capacitors are exclusively polypropylene.

VACUUM TUBE MAKE-UP GAIN AND MS PROCESSING

The make-up gain is produced by a two stage vacuum tube circuit coupled by a Lundahl amorphous core output transformer introducing controlled subtle beautification of the signal. Soma is equipped with a transformer based passive MS encoding and decoding, adding no extra components to the circuit.

KNIF SORA FEATURES:

• Four band parametric equalizer with interleaved frequency bands
• Transformer based MS-matrix
• +6 dB mode boosts the internal level for more character
• 12 dB/octave low-pass and high pass filters
• S-channel high-pass selectable 6 dB/oct for ”elliptical” bass equalizing
• Two stage vacuum tube makeup amplifiers, with DC-coupled feedback, and amorphous core output transformers
• Elma rotary switches for precision and longevity
• 5-position Shelf/Q adjustment
• 23-position Boost/Cut
• 16-position frequency adjustment
• 23-position gain trim
• State-of-the art Lundahl input and output transformers with mu-metal shielding
• Polypropylene capacitors throughout the filters
• Soft touch collet knobs for optimal touch and feel