Overview

Soma is a versatile dual-channel audio equalizer intended for audio mastering and mixing applications.

It is a clear departure from the old “passive EQs are for general shaping only” paradigm.

Soma is the only commercially available passive EQ with real Q adjustment. This steps up the usability and accuracy of the device to a whole new level, far above the products using a resistor based Q adjustment. In the traditional architecture, the Q setting affects boost/cut amount and does not offer a wide range. 

In addition to a four band parametric equalizer, there are also high-pass and low-pass filters included with an elliptic filtering capability.

The implementation of real Q adjustment and frequency selection is established by switching capacitor and inductor values via gold-plated subminiature relays (about 150 pcs in Soma). The switching is controlled by elementary CMOS logic circuits instead of a microcontroller for extended lifetime and ease of maintenance. All rotary controls in the Soma EQ are manufactured by Elma®. 

The mu-metal shielded inductors are wound in-house and all capacitors are exclusively polypropylene.

The make-up gain is produced by a two stage vacuum tube circuit coupled by a Lundahl® amorphous core output transformer introducing controlled subtle beautification of the signal.

Soma is equipped with a transformer based passive MS encoding and decoding, adding no extra components to the circuit.