Mini EQ: Leqtiqueshop Only

Equalizers are an essential part of the more advanced approach to sound creation. They can be broadly divided into two types: graphic equalizers and parametric equalizers. The former has the advantage of being visually easy to use for sound creation, but the number of bands that can be moved at the product design stage is limited, which limits the degree of freedom. On the other hand, parametric equalizers allow for more detailed sound creation by adjusting the three controls in multiple bands: center frequency (Freq), boost/cut, and in some cases Q (a value that determines how much influence is given to neighboring frequencies starting from the center frequency; the larger the value, the sharper the overall frequency curve will be, and the sound will be boosted or cut at a pinpoint. Conversely, the smaller the Q value, the more natural the connection with neighboring frequencies will be, and although extreme settings are not possible, it will be easier to intuitively create sounds). However, in reality, it is difficult to create sounds while understanding and imagining this operation, so it is actually more of a niche presence than graphic equalizers.

The “Mini EQ” is a rare 1-band, 2-knob parametric equalizer on the market, created to represent the parametric equalizer that allows for in-depth sound creation in as easy-to-understand a format as possible.

The design philosophy was to incorporate all the original ideas that Leqtique has cultivated so far and to incorporate new circuit mechanisms. First of all, we have gained a very large headroom by optimizing the power supply for the effector to four times the normal voltage that we have adopted in CLHD and COD. This reduces distortion as much as possible when a specific frequency is boosted significantly. In addition, a special circuit that achieves a constant Q (not a circuit in which the aforementioned Q value changes depending on the set frequency, but a constant Q regardless of the frequency setting) makes the existence of the Q itself transparent and realizes an intuitive operability as a two-knob effector.

The small control is Boost/Cut (±8dB), and by setting it to 12 o'clock, the original sound is not affected at all. Clockwise from 12 o'clock, the set frequency is boosted, and counterclockwise is cut. The set frequency is controlled by a large chicken knob, and is set in a wide range from 290 (hz) to 3.3K (hz), at points that greatly change the musicality of Low/Low-Mid to Hi/Hi-Mid. The Q value is set to a secret value that allows you to create sounds as intuitively as possible, and also allows you to feel that the sound is changing based on the center frequency.

Connect it before or after your favorite distortion effect (we recommend connecting it after), cut the mids to make it more bassy, ​​boost the treble to bring out the edge, boost the low mids in a clean tone, or cut the high mids to make it more jazzy. Or, since the circuit design itself is a buffer/preamp that converts impedance by passing it through this "Mini EQ", you can connect it to the last stage of an already constructed effect chain and input the image you imagined into the amplifier as it is, or with some final fine-tuning.

Parametric equalizers are effects that are a little difficult to understand, but once you get the hang of it, they become an invaluable companion for sound creation. We believe that by simply turning the two controls of the "Mini EQ" without having to think too hard, you will soon find useful uses for it in your environment. (Mini EQ is sold exclusively at Leqtique.ch.

Control: (Left to Right) Boost/Cut(mini), Freq

Operation Voltage: 9V ONLY (12V or higher will damage the internal IC and cause it to malfunction, so please use a 9V rated adapter or battery.)

Current Consumption: Approx. 97mA (It consumes a large current due to the internal boost circuit and multiple special op-amps, but it can also operate on 4V, so it has a longer operating time even on batteries than typical high-current-powered effects units.)