The legendary British console EQ that crafted the "Golden Age" of rock records

Licensed and endorsed by Trident Audio Developments, the Trident® A-Range Classic Console EQ plug-in for UAD-2 and Apollo interfaces expertly emulates the iconic EQ used on David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Lou Reed's Transformer, and Queen's Sheer Heart Attack, among hundreds of others.

The original Trident A-Range desk holds near-mythic status, and is arguably the best loved of the classic Trident console designs. Heralded for its unique band interactions and distinct cut-filter combinations, the Trident A-Range EQ has made an indelible impact on the sound of rock.

• Track and mix with the legendary 4-band active EQ modeled from one of only 13 original Trident A-Range desks
• Easily inject life and color to kick drums, bass, and vocals without adding harshness
• Artfully sculpt instruments with unique band interactions and musical cut-filter combinations
• Add snarling midrange and airy high end to electric guitars

Trident A-Range EQ

Operational Overview

The unique inductor-based EQ section of the board is what the Trident A-Range sound is all about. A series of three high pass filters and three low pass filters are arranged at the ends of the EQ section. These are unique in that the switches can be pushed in simultaneously, offering distinct cut filter combinations with unusual filter curves.

The rest of the EQ section contains four bands: low shelf, low-mid bell, high-mid bell, and high shelf. Each band has four selectable fixed frequencies and ±15 dB of gain. These were the good old days before sweepable frequencies and bandwidth controls, but the results are wonderfully warm and musical. The controls complement is rounded out with phase, output level, and bypass.

There is band interaction between the high and low shelving filters, and also between the low-mid and high-mid bell filters. The midband interactions can be significant if the center frequencies are near each other.

Band Layout

Each of the four main EQ bands have similar controls. The band frequency is controlled by its knob, and the band gain is controlled by its slider.

Trident A-Range band control layout

Trident A-Range EQ Controls

Phase

The Phase (Ø) button inverts the polarity of the signal. The signal is inverted when the button is engaged (darker). Leave the button inactive (lighter) for normal phase. Phase is independent of the EQ IN setting.

Low Pass Filters

Three low pass filters are available, and they can be used simultaneously in any combination. The available cutoff frequencies are 15 kHz, 12 kHz, and 9 kHz with a slope of 12 dB per octave. Each filter is active when its button is engaged (darker).

Each low pass filter "adds" to the others. For example, engaging the 15K filter will rolloff frequencies above 15 kHz, but engaging 9K as well will also attenuate frequencies above 15 kHz, even more than if 15K was used by itself.

High Shelf Band

The high shelf offers Trident-A's famous high frequency shelving EQ.

High Shelving Frequency

The edge frequency of the high shelf filter is specified by this knob. Four shelf edge frequencies are available: 15 kHz, 12 kHz, 10 kHz, and 8 kHz.

High Shelving Gain

The gain for the high shelf filter is specified by the horizontal slider control. The available range is ±15 dB. The gain value is zero when the slider is in the center position.

High-Mid Band

The high-mid EQ offers peak/dip "bell" equalization for the high-to-middle frequencies.

High-Mid Frequency

The center frequency of the high-mid filter is specified by this knob. Four center frequencies are available: 9 kHz, 7 kHz, 5 kHz, and 3 kHz.

High-Mid Gain

The gain for the high-mid filter is specified by the horizontal slider control. The available range is approximately ±15 dB. The gain value is zero when the slider is in the center position.

Low-Mid Band

The low-mid EQ offers peak/dip "bell" equalization for the middle-to-low frequencies.

Low-Mid Frequency

The center frequency of the low-mid filter is specified by this knob. Four center frequencies are available: 2 kHz, 1 kHz, 500 Hz, and 250 Hz.

Low-Mid Gain

The gain for the low-mid filter is specified by the horizontal slider control. The available range is approximately ±15 dB. The gain value is zero when the slider is in the center position.

Low Shelf Band

The low shelf offers low frequency shelving equalization.

Low Shelving Frequency

The edge frequency of the low shelf filter is specified by this knob. Four shelf edge frequencies are available: 150 Hz, 100 Hz, 80 Hz, and 50 Hz.

Low Shelving Gain

The gain for the low shelf filter is specified by the horizontal slider control. The available range is ±15 dB. The gain value is zero when the slider is in the center position.

Gain slider shortcuts

The band gain sliders can be instantly moved to any position by clicking anywhere within its range.

Tip: Clicking just above or below the "0" (zero) graphic returns the associated slider to its center (zero gain) position.

The band gain sliders jump to any position clicked within the red zones

High Pass Filters

Three high pass filters are available, and they can be used simultaneously in any combination. The available cutoff frequencies are 100 Hz, 50 Hz, and 25 Hz with a slope of 18 dB per octave. Each filter is active when its button is engaged (darker).

Each high pass filter "adds" to the others. For example, engaging the 50 Hz filter will rolloff frequencies below 50 Hz, but engaging 100 Hz as well will also attenuate frequencies below 50 Hz, even more than if 50 Hz was used by itself.

Output Level

The Output knob controls the signal level that is output from the plug-in. The default value is 0 dB. The available range is -24 dB to 12 dB.

Tip: Click the "Output' or "0" labels to return to the zero gain position.

EQ In

The EQ In switch determines whether the plug-in is active. When the 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). Note the Phase setting remains in effect even if EQ In is in the off position.

The Trident A-Range Console, featuring the Trident A-Range EQ

All visual and aural references to the TRIDENT A-RANGE EQ are trademarks being made with written permission from PMI AUDIO.