Colorful four-band EQ modeled directly from a certified hit-making console.

The Harrison 32C Channel EQ plug-in for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces is an expert emulation of this classic, character-rich, four-band channel EQ. Partnering with Harrison Consoles Ltd. and engineer Bruce Swedien (Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson), Universal Audio has recreated the Harrison four-band 32C channel EQ from Swedien's own Harrison 32 Series console — the same console behind Michael Jackson's Thriller. "I never dreamed Universal Audio's design team could come so unbelievably close to capturing the sound of my beloved desk," says Swedien. "The additional Harrison EQs within Pro Tools sessions are a Godsend."

Renowned for its colorful, smooth high-end response, and friendly, put-it-on-everything usefulness, the Harrison 32C EQ plug-in features four overlapping parametric bands. Each of the Low (40-600 Hz), Low-Mid (200Hz to 3.1 kHz), Hi-Mid (400 Hz to 6 kHz), and High (900 Hz to 13 kHz) bands have fully sweepable Frequency and Gain Controls. Instead of traditional Q controls, the 32C has circuitry that automatically adjusts the effective bandwidth, adding to its signature sound. Furthermore, the Low band is switchable from Peak to Shelving EQ. Finally, the Harrison 32C features 12 dB per octave High and Low Pass filters which can be switched in or out.

Harrison 32C EQ

Harrison 32C Controls

Note: Knob settings, when compared to the graphical user interface silkscreen numbers, may not match the actual parameter values (e.g., if a knob is pointing to 8 kHz, the actual frequency may not be 8 kHz). This behavior is identical to the original hardware, which we modeled exactly. When the plug-in is viewed in parameter list mode (Controls View), the actual parameter values are displayed.

Power

The Power switch determines whether the plug-in is active. Click the button to toggle the state. When the Power switch is in the Off (lighter) position, plug-in processing is disabled and UAD DSP usage is reduced (unless UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is enabled).

Power LED

The Power LED is illuminated when the plug-in is active.

Polarity

The Polarity (Ø) button inverts the phase of the signal. The polarity is inverted when the button is engaged (darker). Leave the button inactive (lighter) for normal polarity.

Cut Filters

In addition to the four-band EQ, the Harrison 32C offers two cut filters, one each for low and high frequencies. The slope of the cut filters is 12 dB per octave.

Cut Enable

The high and low pass filters are engaged with the Cut Enable switch. The Cut Filters are active when the "In" switch is engaged (darker). When the Cut Filters are engaged, circuit coloration is modeled even when set to "zero cut" frequency values (25 Hz and 20 kHz respectively).

The Cut Enable "In" switch is to the left of the EQ "In" switch on the graphical interface.

High Pass (HP)

This control determines the cutoff frequency for the high pass filter. The available range is 25 Hz to 3.15 kHz.

Low Pass (LP)

This control determines the cutoff frequency for the low pass filter. The available range is 1.6 kHz to 20 kHz.

Four EQ Bands

Each of the four EQ bands have similar controls. The band center frequency is controlled the top row of knobs, and the band gain is controlled by the bottom row.

Low Peak

The low EQ band can be operated in either peak or shelf mode. When the Low Peak switch is in the "out" position, the low EQ band operates in shelf mode. When the Low Peak switch is engaged (darker), the low EQ band operates in peak mode (the other bands always operate in peak mode).

Low Frequency

This control determines the low band center frequency (or the edge frequency when in shelf mode) to be boosted or attenuated by the band Gain setting. The available range is 40 Hz to 600 Hz.

Low Gain

This control determines the amount by which the frequency setting for the low band is boosted or attenuated. The available range is ±10 dB.

Low Mid Frequency

This control determines the low midrange band center frequency to be boosted or attenuated by the band Gain setting. The available range is 200 Hz to 3.1kHz.

Low Mid Gain

This control determines the amount by which the frequency setting for the low midrange band is boosted or attenuated. The available range is ±10 dB.

High Mid Frequency

This control determines the low midrange band center frequency to be boosted or attenuated by the band Gain setting. The available range is 400 Hz to 6 kHz.

High Mid Gain

This control determines the amount by which the frequency setting for the high midrange band is boosted or attenuated. The available range is ±10 dB.

Hi Frequency

This control determines the high band center frequency to be boosted or attenuated by the band Gain setting. The available range is 900 Hz to 13 kHz.

Hi Gain

This control determines the amount by which the frequency setting for the high band is boosted or attenuated. The available range is ±10 dB.

Gain

The Gain knob controls the signal level that is output from the plug-in. The default value is 0 dB. The available range is ±10 dB.

Harrison 32C SE

Harrison 32C SE

The Harrison 32C SE is derived from the Harrison 32C. Its algorithm has been revised in order to provide sonic characteristics very similar to the Harrison 32C but with significantly less DSP usage. It is provided to allow Harrison-like sound when DSP resources are limited.

The Harrison 32C SE interface can be differentiated from the Harrison 32C by knob color and the module name. The Harrison 32C SE blue knobs instead of the Harrison 32C's ivory knobs, and the module name on the upper right of the interface panel includes "SE."

Note: The Harrison 32C SE controls are exactly the same as the Harrison 32C.

The Harrison 4032 Console, featuring the Harrison 32C EQ

Special thanks to Bruce Swedien for his gracious cooperation with the Harrison 32C project.