If you think about a typical panning situation in a mix down, 9 times out of 10 the kick, snare, vocals and bass guitar sit straight up at twelve o'clock and usually stereo guitars, stereo effects returns, cymbals and the like sit out at the far panning reaches of the mixing universe. Some might wonder why this would be useful. This feature allows one to change the relationship between center and side information in the signal path. Zelniker has added a powerful M/S encoder/decoder in the z-Q2's arsenal. You can add up to 12 dB of attenuation or up to 90 dB of cut! Many times in a mastering situation you are only working in tenths of a decibel so the fact that the z-Q2 gives you up to 12 dB of gain with such accuracy is just another one of the over-the-top designs in the z-Q2's favor. The boost/cut of the equalizer is in one-tenth decibel steps for the first 3 dB then half dB steps from there out. Both the high and low band are of shelving-type configuration. The z-Q2 is a six-band equalizer with four fully parametric bands 28 Hz to 20 kHz and a Q width that goes out farther than any other I have seen before - from a gentle 0.4 to a tight 8.0. When I need an EQ that is not going to impart its own sonic signature the z- 02 is the tool I reach for. Here at Silvertone Mastering we have three different types of analog equalization and three types of digital. What I have gleaned over the years is that the main difference between a good sounding equalizer and a great sounding equalizer is the amount of phase shift that is induced. What I do understand however is the most important part of any piece of audio gear: Sound. I'm not even going to pretend that I understand the internal working of a processor as elaborate as the z-Q2. The z-Q2 is one of the most accurate sounding equalizers on the market which is due in part to the high bit rate and mathematical code that the unit uses to do its calculations, thanks to inventor and owner of z-Systems, Dr. It's the EQ I reach for and use the most. The right tool for me these days is the z-Systems z-Q2 stereo digital mastering equalizer. One, use the right tool for the job and two, put it back where you found it when your done. My dad used to have two sayings that he liked to use.
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