Buzz Audio Zodiak DCX - Discrete Op Amps/Lundahl

Zodiak-DCX. Buzz Audio BE41 discrete opamps in the signal path with a Lundahl LL1517 output transformer.

Equalize a different way with the Zodiak's four complimentary tone control sections creating a powerful new sound shaping tool.

design concept

The "Tilt-n-Filter" EQ idea was delivered to us by Zak Cohen, owner of the Woodshop Recording Studio, and it is based on a series of plug-ins Zak would routinely set up to equalize music tracks recorded direct into his DAW. The Zodiak reproduces this concept with the same series of eq elements - but in the analogue domain so it can used ahead of the DAW input. The main element of the design is the Baxandall style Tilt eq circuit (originally found on the Quad 44 hifi preamplifer from the 1970's). The concept of a tilt EQ is not new, but with the addition of a fully parametric midrange band and high and low cut filters, the Zodiak caters for a wide range of applications that would otherwise require multiple processors. What's more - the Zodiak is available with three signal path options to suit your taste and budget.

controls and functions

The Zodiak is a dual channel equalizer with the the following functions on each channel.
LO CUT - a high pass filter that sweeps from 26Hz to 220Hz with a 12dB per octave slope and it's own IN/out switch.
HI CUT - a low pass filter that sweeps from 2.3kHz to 21kHz with a 12dB per octave slope and it's own IN/out switch.
BELL SWEEP - this section is the parametric midrange control with 10dB of CUT and BOOST available. The FREQ control covers 65Hz to 8800Hz with the upper range actitvated with the HI button. The BANDWIDTH control offers narrow to wide bell shaped curves. This section also has it's own IN/out pushbutton switch.
TILT EQ - this control is always in circuit when the channel is switched IN. Clockwise rotation will boost the treble and cut the bass, anti-clockwise rotation will cut the treble whilst boosting the bass.
OUTPUT - this control allows you to trim the output level to match the next device in your chain and has a + or - 8dB range.
PEAK - this LED will light when levels inside the Zodiak are approaching clipping which is +22dBu.
POWER - A handy power on/off switch and associated power led common to both channels and conveniently located on the front panel where it should be!
options and recommended price
 
We know not everybody can afford "high end" analogue products that use discrete hand made amplifiers which are labour intensive and therefore expensive to manufacture. So we offer the Zodiak Tilt-n-Filter equalizer in three versions so everybody can get a taste. All versions can be supplied with a silver or black face plate