I have yet to find a use that the HG-2 doesn't enhance
The Black Box Analog Design HG-Q is a 3U boutique hardware EQ and saturator that offers digital plug-in control over its true-analog, tube-driven circuitry. Far from a traditional EQ or clone of a classic, the HG-Q is a revolutionary creative powerhouse that reshapes and enhances your sound in ways traditional EQs could only dream of.
The HG-Q combines unique topology, flexible tube saturation, and the ability to cut and boost simultaneously to create a totally new kind of audio enhancement tool.
This dual-mono, stereo, and M/S-capable EQ offers six fully independent and interactive bands for creative frequency shaping and sculpting, combined with acclaimed tube saturation circuitry that adds rich harmonic detail, depth and energy without compromising clarity — taking analog EQ and enhancement to a new level of integration and flexibility.
A standout feature is the saturation circuit, which adds rich harmonic content without muddying transients or mix clarity. Unlike conventional saturation, the HG-Q’s circuit brings out lower-level details and enhances the mix’s density, resulting in a fuller, more vibrant sound.
HG-Q creates astonishing new possibilities for creativity and workflow.
The heart of the HG-Q is a topology where the bands interact with each other in complex ways, allowing the HG-Q to deliver incredible sonic shaping well beyond the scope of traditional equalizers.
The 2X mode further expands the EQ’s range, allowing up to 16 dB boosts and cuts with intensified saturation that brings out every harmonic nuance. The result is a more cohesive, balanced, and musically engaging sound, achievable even at aggressive settings.
By boosting, cutting, adding saturation, and switching between series and parallel configurations, you will achieve wildly complex interactions and curves impossible on traditional EQs.
Seamlessly linked with its included plugin counterpart, the HG-Q plugin delivers digital control over the hardware’s true all-analog circuitry.
But it doesn’t stop there. The HG-Q plugin is not simply a controller; it’s also a fully-modeled digital re-creation of the hardware; ideal deal for remote projects where you can’t bring your physical HG-Q with you.
The plugin even offers functionality beyond that of the hardware: you get a spectrum analyzer and not found on the hardware unit. allowing you to visualize how boosting or cutting on one band affects frequencies far outside its range. An extended control view provides a dedicated knob for each function and control.
On/Off positions.
This multilayer knob toggles between BOOST [gain] (solid blue led-ring) and SAT [level] (single red/purple LED) when clicked.
Turn to change the CUT [gain] of each band.
Pushing the CUT knob toggles the band Bypass which is indicated by active/inactive LED-rings.
Sets the q-factor of the boost and/or cut circuit. When clicked, this multilayer knob toggles between Q [boost] (blue LED), Q [cut] (red LED), and Ganged Mode (purple LED when overlap) to setup the filters’ q-factor. The LOW and HIGH bands of each channel offer additional low/high shelf filters.
Offers eight center frequencies in each band to choose from. When clicked, this multilayer knob toggles between boost frequency (blue LEDs), cut frequency (red LEDs), and Ganged Mode (purple LED when overlap).
Enables / disables an additional tube saturation in each boost circuit separately.
When activated, the cut and boost circuits of the band are reconfigured from series (with the cut coming before the boost) to parallel, where both the cut and boost are fed from the same full spectrum input.
Select cutoff frequency of the high pass filters. Click knob to select left or right channel and Ganged Mode to link both frequencies while preserving their offset.
Set to 0dB attenuation by default, the output level can be reduced to -4dB in 1dB increments. Click knob to select left or right channel and Ganged Mode to link both gains while preserving their offset.
Isolates the mid (sum) signal being processed.
Isolates the side (difference) signal
True bypass, shorts the input to output connections.
Dis-/Engages M/S processing. Set to On, the left channel processes the mid (sum) of both channels, the right channel processes the side (difference) of both channels.
Engaging 2X mode changes the gain ranges of the boost and cut controls from 8db in 0.5db steps to 16db in 1db steps.
Switches linking of parameters between the channels on or off. When LINK is activated, all parameters from the left channel are immediately mirrored on the right channel. In LINK mode, both channel controls move together, regardless of which channel is being adjusted.