Source Audio EQ2

The Source Audio EQ2 is a 10-band EQ pedal from Source Audio that works as both a graphic and a parametric equalizer. In graphic mode it gives you 10 adjustable frequency bands ranging from 31 Hz to 16 kHz with 18 dB of boost or cut on each¹. In parametric mode, each of those 10 bands can be moved anywhere up or down the frequency spectrum, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, so you are not locked to fixed slider frequencies¹. A master volume adds another 12 dB of boost².

It is a digital pedal with a lot of programmability: 128 presets, stereo inputs and outputs, MIDI, an onboard chromatic tuner, and an optional noise gate and limiter. It was announced at Winter NAMM in January 2020 and shipped that May at a street price of $269³².

Graphic and parametric in one pedal

Most EQ pedals are one or the other. A graphic EQ gives you fixed frequency bands with a boost or cut on each, while a parametric EQ lets you choose the center frequency and bandwidth of each band. The EQ2 does both. Source Audio describes it as a combination graphic and parametric equalizer with 10 fully adjustable frequency bands⁵⁹⁶, and Guitar World's Trevor Curwen reviewed it in exactly those terms⁵.

In practice that means you can use it like a familiar 10-band graphic EQ, or dive in and place each band exactly where your rig needs it, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz¹. Delicious Audio's Alex Maiolo noted that bandwidth adjustments can be made up to 10 times more narrow than the defaults, plus shelving and high-pass filter options⁶. The pedal is aimed at guitar, bass and keyboard players of all genres⁶, and gearnews.com's Jef wrote that with an adapter and level converter it would probably handle vocals to a degree too¹⁰.

Controls and presets

The front panel is deliberately simple for a pedal this deep:

Preset capacity depends on how you use it: 4 onboard presets, or 128 by turning the encoder while holding the Preset Select button¹. Guitar World's review noted that four presets are instantly at hand, scrolled through via a front-panel button, while all 128 can be recalled directly from the pedal⁵.

The deeper editing happens in Source Audio's Neuro editors, which provide adjustable frequency band and Q controls, the optional dynamic limiter and noise gate, alternate signal routing options, and the ability to run two discrete EQ presets simultaneously, one for each stereo output¹². The USB port connects with the Neuro Desktop Editor for advanced editing and firmware updates¹³.

Power and connections: stereo, MIDI and expression

The EQ2's jack layout covers a full stereo rig: standard inputs 1 and 2, standard outputs 1 and 2, MIDI In, MIDI Thru, USB, and a control input¹⁴⁵. The stereo routing options include mono to stereo, stereo to stereo, and a split mode that runs two discrete EQ presets at once, one feeding each stereo output³. Source Audio suggests using the Editor's routing options together with Split Mode to get the most out of that flexibility¹.

The 1/8" control input connects with either the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal, for simultaneous expression control of up to four parameters, or Source Audio's Tap Switch for channel swapping, preset scrolling, tuner access and parameter changes³. It also works with the Neuro Hub¹². Full MIDI compatibility comes through the 5-pin MIDI DIN input and thru jacks¹³, and MIDI control provides access to the full 128 presets⁹.

From the Programmable EQ to the EQ2

What reviewers said

Reviews were consistently positive about the pedal's depth, with price the main reservation⁵⁷¹⁴.

• MusicRadar's verdict: "A comprehensive 10-band EQ pedal that harnesses the full power of Source Audio's digital know-how"¹⁴
• Guitar World's buying guide called it a pedal where "highly detailed sound sculpting makes this a consummate stage tool"⁷
• Guitar World's review listed "pricey for the casual EQ consumer" among its cons⁵
• Pedal of the Day called it "a pretty amazing pedal to add to your rig and be able to tweak tones in just about any way you can imagine"⁸

Pete Thorn's video review walks through the pedal's graphic and parametric modes, the presets, and the Neuro editing features, and demonstrates it on both guitar and bass⁸¹⁵¹²:

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Videos

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Questions