Klark Teknik EQP-KT vs UAD EQP-1A: Full Comparison

Klark Teknik EQP-KT? UAD EQP-1A? Which one of these two tools is the best? And what is the difference in terms of audio? Is analog really better than digital? In this video, I'm going to show you all the differences between the Klark Teknik EQP-KT and the Pultec EQP-1Q emulation from UAD.

You will see that these are both great tools for mixing music. Especially on vocals, basses and kick drums. And some things I'm gonna show you in this video might surprise you, both in a positive and negative way.

This comparison between the Klark Teknik and the UAD plugin will make you learn a lot of interesting things in the field of music mixing.

Analog? Digital? Who wins?

And... by the way, even if you have a quite advanced level in vocal mixing, this video can really help you to improve your mixing skills even more!

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00:00 - Intro
01:31 - Pultec EQP-1A: Quick page of history
02:56 - Vocals
04:42 - Kick drum & bass
06:51 - Analog vs Digital
08:12 - Conclusion

[mikebush]

I'm using 2 KT-EQPs with an ART PRO VLA compressor with GGD coming out of my laptop. I know that may be sorta unorthodox but it's a HUGE improvement in my drum sound. I'd highly recommend these eqs and comp

[earsonlyaudio]

For the most part, cheap hardware sounds better than the nicest plugins. It's not all about sound though. I can pay $300 for 1 piece of hardware, or for a plugin that I can use on 64 tracks. Also, the thing nobody thinks of is cabling. Buying snakes, wiring up patch bays, replacing dead cables. For me, worth it. I just love the analog workflow. For most people, a piece or two might be great, but full analog set up, not required at all.

[joboiecruiser]

That is why I don't own nor use any plugins. Only analog outboard gear. I don't own Klark Teknik products yet, but hopfully in a few months.

[dannyprecysroadtoforever]

The Pultec's are warm but not as warm as those super cool cylinder lamps sitting behind you on your desk! Would you mind sharing the make on model of those so I could grab a pair for my studio? Great video and I will be subscribing and checking out more of your content.

[stevenpagano]

The UAD plugin actually models a different EQ. The KT is a copy of the Pultec EQP-1A3, a much different EQ than the tube 1A. That said, I do have both an original Pultec 1A3 and the KT in my studio, and I really cant tell the difference. I was surprised it was as good as it was, but will not be selling any Pultecs any time soon.

[AtTheSourceStudios]

The difference mainly is that the plugins can't boost as much as the hardware. The hardware boost more than twice the db so you can't just match the knob position and expect it to sound the same. Just use your ears and you're good.

[Narwaro]

Vacuum tubes produce even order harmonics when you dont build differential amplifiers which is generally desirable for audio. Tubes are also inherently more linear and temperature invariant, but good quality tubes also havent been produced for a number of decades.

[chrisjay]

Invalid comparison. 1 to 1 parameter matching is useless.

[amazeus]

analog gear sounds only phatter first of all beacuse it has to go thhrough a line in or mic pre before it goes into the DAW...so there is another layer of slight saturation what you would also have to imitate when comparing a plugin or send plugin track out through the same mic pre/line in.

[Deandre-rj]

Plugins are good no doubt but they dont beat hardware

[basiltoyomusic]

What I've noticed even more than the supposed analogue tone is a ground hum that comes in the vocals on the right side.
Also as others mentioned you have to match the actual eq curves not the knobs.

[stiiffyrabbit]

the plugin is clearly lacking, that being said, i just bought a focusrite, and i'm waiting for it to arrive!

[Tony_Kosinec]

I've checked the eq curves of that plugin and the KT - they aren't the same at the same settings. You'd need to aim at getting the same sound rather than the same knob positions. It's possible to get similar results from both but not with the stock tubes which when added to the inferior quality of components of the clone compared to an actual Pultec will always give you thinner more brittle highs and less meaty lows. After swapping with Tung-Sol tubes it improved those problems quite a bit.

[aleksamrkela]

The plugin sounds better than the Klark!

[bouhiwav]

honnestly to me i think the uad plugin is more musical! Btw why would you use a voltage stabilizer and why?

[KYDATHEART]

We’re you using two KTs in this example? Or only one?

[cptstormbreaker]

I found the plug on more muddy than the klark. The Klark gives a llitlle boost on both high ends and the low ends. I don't know for sur if it's you tube but the transients are more agressive (in a bad way) on the plug in and the sound got no grain. Thats just me ....

[chinguunamarsanaa]

Hello everyone. Can i ask question. I have a small home studio. I have Uad Apollo twin usb, Evo sp8 mic preamp and Klark teknik eqp-kt. I want to make good connections and routing in my daw. Apollo has optical in. I already connected to mic preamp by optical cable from my audio interface. It's showed up adat input & outputs in Daw and Uad console. Can someone tell me about these problems please. I tested to record vocals but effects are worked like eq, comp... Aux is doesn't work only working monitoring but i choosed to recording mode. What should i do? Please help.🙏🙏🙏

[walterdewald]

For me it is real instruments played well, sound shaped analogue and recorded digitally. So it will be the KT and no plug in. With analogue gear one might have to fiddle around more, but it is well worth it. Thing eating GMO food or organically grown/produced food. After a while you will notice a massive difference.

[larrytan]

Horrible test! You use One mono pultec Klark and a stereo UAD pultec! Thats the common mistake made all the time!