The Mercury EQ-P1 Studio Programme Equaliser is a high-end valve equaliser that builds upon the design of the legendary Pultec EQP-1A, combining the original’s passive EQ circuit with a fully balanced push-pull gain make-up amplifier. True to the Mercury philosophy of no-compromise audio, the Mercury EQ-P1 delivers all-valve, all-transformer tone with greater flexibility, power and reliability than the vintage units it is inspired by. Its design ensures the unmistakable warmth and musicality that engineers have come to expect from Pultec-style equalisers, while introducing modern refinements for today’s studios.
The Mercury EQ-P1 features transformer-balanced XLR inputs and outputs, a more powerful and stable power supply, and DC-driven valve heaters for improved performance. It also includes Mercury’s unique I.S.T. Switch, which allows engineers to switch the interstage transformer in or out of the signal path. This provides the option of the traditional, warm vintage tone with the transformer engaged, or a more open and airy character when bypassed, giving two distinct sonic flavours within a single unit.
As with the original design, the Mercury EQ-P1 employs passive shelving boosts and cuts that interact in a way which delivers highly musical results, impossible to achieve with active circuits. The low frequency section provides selectable frequencies from 20Hz to 200Hz, with independent boost and attenuation controls for the classic “Pultec trick”, while the high frequency section offers boost options up to 16kHz, as well as attenuation at 10kHz. The result is an equaliser that can add silky presence to vocals and acoustic instruments, tighten and weight the low end of bass and kick drums, and enhance mixes across the stereo bus with depth and clarity.
Compared with the Mercury EQ-H1, the Mercury EQ-P1 is described as more open and silky, equally warming highs, mids and lows, while the H1 is punchier and thicker with added emphasis in the low and low-mid range. Together, they form a complementary pair, giving engineers the choice of two distinct tonal characters.
With its premium components, superior build quality, and authentic sonic performance, the Mercury EQ-P1 offers the best of both worlds: the unmistakable character of the Pultec design, and the reliability, flexibility and consistency demanded by modern recording and mixing.
Features
- Passive EQ circuit with fully balanced push-pull valve amplifier
- Inspired by the vintage Pultec EQP-1A
- Transformer-balanced XLR input and output
- Modernised power supply with DC valve heaters
- Mercury I.S.T. Switch for transformer in/out selection
- Warm, musical vintage tone with transformer engaged
- More open and airy tone with transformer disengaged
- Low frequency boost and attenuation for classic Pultec trick
- High frequency boost and attenuation for silky presence
- Premium valves, transformers and passive components