ProSound News Review

The Wunder of It All

Wunder Audio PEQ1R Mic pre/EQ

By Randy Poole - Oct 2005

The folks at Wunder Audio have come up with their version of an early British-style three-band EQ and mic pre. The PEQ1 is different from the other such units available, being based on a module from Led Zeppelin's bass and keyboard player John Paul Jones', custom 1971 Allotrope console with large nickel transformers. Wunder then spent 4 years improving and tweaking this new design to satisfy their desire to build something truly unique.

The PEQ1 is nicely laid out with quality components and wiring throughout. Many of the improvements made to the design were in the EQ and gain stages, adding more EQ points, and more gain stages, which means a more flexible EQ, and more headroom. Some improvements were made in the frequency response. The 3-db roll-off points are 8.7Hz on the low and 118KHz on the top end.

I tested the PEQ1R 19-inch rack mount version with outboard power supply. It also comes in versions to drop right into a console, in place of a 1073, or racked in a 2- or 8-module Wunder Audio rack.

The company has also just released a 4-channel pre. The PEQ1R comes with mic, line, and instrument inputs; switches for phantom power, EQ in/out, and polarity; as well as a blue output fader that follows the 3-band EQ section. Although not small, the available power supply also powers up to 24 modules

The module was compared on several sources with various pres. On vocals with a 251 replica, it was compared to an Amek 9098 with no EQ. The sound was really quite similar in some respects, but the Wunder was a little warmer. Where the Amek had a little bump of brightness in the high mid, the Wunder did not. In the mix though, the sound of the Wunder was slightly more forward and tighter in the track. On drums it was compared with a Neve 33114 and a 9098, this time with the eq (because I don't know anybody who doesn't EQ their drums).

All pres had a nice transient attack to them, but the Wunder definitely won in the overall transient headroom department. The Wunder's transients just seemed to hit a little harder, to move a little more mass. EQ-wise, I loved turning the gain knobs all the way just to see what sound might come out this box; it sometimes gave me inspiration for new sounds. Another way to explore the headroom of this box is to turn down the output fader, and crank up the mic gain. This created a really cool overloaded effect-one that was totally usable.
I can't think of an EQ whose performance I enjoyed more than the PEQ1's. The only thing I could ask here is, "When are they making a 4 band version?" The last test for this pre was bass guitar plugged directly into 1/4-inch input. Many a module skimps on the electronics behind this plug, and I am happy to report the Wunder has delivered the goods with their instrument input. We tested this option with none other than bassist Jackie Street, and compared it to the Avalon U5 and a custom made bass/pre by Demeter. We were experimenting with different combinations of gear, and then we tried the PEQ1 ala direct in with the same compressor we had been using. All I can say is, the sound just became more punchy and focused in the stereo field. I kept checking to see if all we did was increase the gain, but we had not. It felt as if the harmonics of the bass were now in proper alignment (or the planets were or something).

While I don't believe there are any negatives in the sound department, if you know me, you would know that I would have to find something to be improved upon. First, the white dot on a chrome knob to indicate where the gain knob is pointing is not too visible if rack mounted lower than desk height, or if your studio lighting tends to be on the "vibey" side. Second, this unit has no filters. Just a little toggle switch with a few options would be nice. Finally, how about a handle on that power supply? It's about 12 pounds and 9 x 6.25 x 5.5 inches, something to consider if you are moving around a lot.

With so many preamp/EQs on the market today, one might ask themselves "Why do I need this pre/EQ?" After hearing it you might say, "Wow, Wunder has out done itself here. I gotta have it". Not a Neve clone, but a complete redesign with modern high quality components, good looks and great sound. It also has that elusive character that helps you discover new sounds, sometimes by turning the knobs as far as they can go.

PEQ1 $2,450
Wunder Audio
www.wunderaudio.com