Alta Moda Audio AM-20

This is a parametric EQ for use in the recording studio or home studio. As it's a rather expensive piece of gear, it's probably better for use with analog consoles or mic-pres, as opposed to digital ones that come in the Digi 003 or something like that. With a home studio setup you are probably just as well off using plug-ins. There aren't any crazy effects or anything like that with this EQ. It's an analog technology. There are no computer or MIDI connections.

UTILIZATION

The Utilization of the EQ is pretty easy for the most part. It has four bandwidths, Low, Low Mid, High Mid, and High. There is a frequency knob for each bandwidth that actually overlaps the next bandwidth on either side, giving you a complete control of the sound assuming you want to boost on the lower end of one bandwidth but cut the higher end of the same one. There is also a shape knob which will determine the amount of frequencies boosted or cut.

SOUND QUALITY

I was pretty impressed overall with the sound of this EQ. I'd say that we have got a pretty phenomenal deal with this as it works just as well as a lot of the other EQs in our console but is much cheaper. It's super flexible for one of these EQs but gives much better response than most other EQs in the studio. The boosts don't seem as artificial as some of the plug-in EQs do, and the cuts are much more forgiving of tone. I'd have to say I am disappointed we don't have more of them as I'd use them on everything I could if I had the opportunity!

OVERALL OPINION

I like this EQ quite a bit, it's certainly one of the better stand-alone EQs we have at the studio, and definitely a better one than most. I'd certainly say that the price is pretty reasonable overall considering how phenomenal it is. It's definitely a great piece of gear and can hang with the old console EQs any day of the week. I've used lots of EQs and this is one of the better ones I've used. Highly recommended.

The Alta Moda Audio AM-20 is a 500 series style parametric equalizer module. I only recently used the AM-20, and I’m pretty new to Alta Moda products in general, but right off the bat I must say that these are impressive units. It doesn’t have any connections, as you hook it into an API 500 series rack which provides the XLR connections for you. This can’t be used outside of a 500 series rack, so you’ll need that to use this…


UTILIZATION

If you’re familiar with the make up of parametric equalizers, catching on the AM-20 will be a breeze for you. There’s really nothing out of the ordinary about it, as it’s pretty much your basic parametric equalizer. The AM-20 consists of four bands, with each having frequency and gain parameters and the middle two also having bandwidth (Q) parameters. It’s also got switches for bypass and for fixing the low end at 65 Hz. No manual will be necessary here…


SOUND QUALITY

The sound quality of the Alta Moda Audio AM-20 is extremely impressive. It’s very clean cut and won’t add it’s own coloration to your sound at all. It does it’s job, and it does it’s job very well. It’s great for applications of all types, as a good equalizer is a good equalizer regardless of what you’re using it on. While maybe not as versatile as some other equalizers out there, there’s certainly enough here to get the job done well almost every time.


OVERALL OPINION

I don’t always use outboard equalizers when I’ve got a real console to work with, but in the room where I’ve been using the AM-20 I’ve simply been drawn to it. I have used it mostly for tracking purposes, but it will certainly work for mixing and for any other application that you can think of. While more expensive than most 500 series modules, it’s worth the extra money if you’re a professional looking for one of the best equalizers that can be found for a 500 series rack. I’d recommend checking out the Alta Moda AM-10 mic preamplifier/equalizer first, but the AM-20 is an awesome equalizer in itself.