Source Audio EQ2 Programmable EQ

The Source Audio EQ2 Programmable EQ is a stereo equalizer pedal that combines two EQ approaches in one box: a 10-band graphic EQ and a full parametric EQ, each working with the same 10 adjustable frequency bands¹². It was released by Source Audio, the Massachusetts-based effects pedal company, on May 22, 2020, as the follow-up to the company's Programmable EQ². It is part of Source Audio's One Series pedal range³.

For a player, the pitch is flexibility. Each band can be moved anywhere from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, each offers plus or minus 18 dB of boost or cut, and each band's Q (bandwidth) can be widened or made up to 10 times narrower¹. On top of the EQ curves there is an onboard chromatic tuner, a noise gate, and a preset system that scales from 4 front-panel slots up to 128¹².

What it is: graphic and parametric EQ in one pedal

A graphic EQ gives you fixed frequency bands with sliders, while a parametric EQ lets you choose the center frequency and bandwidth of each band. The EQ2 does both. In graphic mode you work with 10 bands ranging from 31 Hz to 16 kHz, each with 18 dB of boost or cut¹. In parametric mode, each of those same 10 bands can be moved anywhere up or down the frequency spectrum, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and each band's Q can be made wider or up to 10 times narrower¹.

The overall output gain can be cut or boosted as much as +12 dB over unity gain, with independent gain controls allowing separate output levels on each channel¹. Guitar World's launch coverage described this as a master volume with an additional 12 dB of boost⁶.

Beyond the EQ itself, the pedal carries an onboard chromatic tuner, which Source Audio describes as adding to the flexibility and feature set of the pedal¹, plus an onboard noise gate².

Controls and display

The front panel is deliberately small. MusicRadar's review lists the controls as an encoder knob, an illuminated Output mini-knob, a Select button for choosing and saving presets, a control input switch, and a Bypass footswitch⁴.

There is an LED screen that displays each of the 10 frequency bands, so you can see the curve you are building rather than guessing at it⁴.

Presets: 4, 8 or 128

The preset system scales with how you use the pedal. Source Audio gives the memory as 4 onboard presets, 8 presets in Preset Extension Mode, or 128 presets reached by turning the encoder while holding the Preset Select button¹. Premier Guitar's release coverage described this as 4, 8, or 128 onboard user presets depending on the preset mode². The full 128 are also MIDI accessible⁷.

Stereo routing and Split Mode

The EQ2 has stereo inputs and outputs², and its routing options go beyond simple stereo. Premier Guitar's announcement lists mono to stereo, stereo to stereo, and the ability to split the signal and simultaneously run two discrete EQ presets, one for each stereo output². Source Audio points players to the Neuro Editor's routing options in conjunction with Split Mode to get the most out of that flexibility¹.

For a stereo rig, that means one EQ curve can go to one amp and a completely different curve to the other, from a single pedal².

Power and connections

Connections, as listed by MusicRadar and Guitar World⁴⁷:

• Inputs 1 and 2 (standard)
• Outputs 1 and 2 (standard)
• MIDI In and MIDI Thru (5-pin DIN)
• USB
• Control input (1/8")
• Power: 9V DC adapter, supplied, 180 mA draw⁴

The 1/8" control input connects with either the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal or Source Audio's Neuro Hub, and supports simultaneous expression control of up to four parameters²⁸. The USB port connects with the Neuro Desktop Editor for advanced editing and firmware updates⁵. MIDI support includes program change and continuous controller messages, via the 5-pin DIN jacks and over USB⁸⁹.

History: successor to the Programmable EQ

The EQ2 was first shown at Winter NAMM 2020 in January, with Source Audio expecting to ship it in March at a $269 street price¹⁰⁹⁵. It actually shipped in late May 2020, when Source Audio announced the release and began shipping to retailers²⁵.

It is the follow-up to Source Audio's Programmable EQ, which Pedal of the Day calls a legacy the EQ2 builds off¹¹. Guitar World's launch coverage framed the update as adding ten adjustable frequency bands, stereo I/O and more to the earlier pedal⁶.

What reviewers said

MusicRadar's review called it a comprehensive 10-band EQ pedal that harnesses the full power of Source Audio's digital know-how, one that could well become essential once on your board, while noting it leans on its digital architecture to perform a wide range of EQ tasks⁴.

Guitar World's review listed "pricey for the casual EQ consumer" among its cons, against a $269 price³⁷. In Pete Thorn's demo video for the pedal, he called it a pretty amazing pedal to add to your rig for tweaking tones in just about any way you can imagine¹².

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Delicious Audio's readers placed the EQ2 at 26th position with 1 point in the site's best guitar pedals of 2020 poll¹³¹⁰.

Videos

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Questions