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- Nov 2, 2017
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This is a general question about the lack of stepped controls on medium pro level gear. I'll use the RND Portico 5033 EQ as an example. I find it to be a very useful tool on the mix bus. One problem is trying to match them in stereo. They are responsive EQs, so a small amount of mis-match can make a big difference. In my case I am analog summing, so often times I need to return to a mix to make some adjustments. The original documenting of the Neve 5033 settings is hard to notate accurately, and then recalling those settings at a later date is tough. Taking a picture of the settings is what I've been doing but it is far from ideal. I understand the limitations of stepped controls for sure. If the EQ is quite sensitive then of course you would need many fine steps to optimally use it. I've used some API gear in the past that has had the problem where the steps are too large and I found myself wanting an in between setting. My question is why do the gear manufacturers opt out of finely stepped controls? Is it a big expense to use potentiometers with many steps? Is there a degradation of signal with cheaper stepped pots? Or is it more that consumer demand is just not there? My Smart C2 compressor utilizes many fine steps and it's not insanely expensive say like a Sontec mastering EQ I was checking out in a studio that also had many finely stepped controls.