Universal Audio Pultec Passive EQ Collection plug-in: features and spec-based rating

Universal Audio’s Pultec Passive EQ Collection recreates three models of the classic tube EQ, the Pultec: the EQP-1A, MEQ-5 and HLF-3C. It suits adding color to the lows and mids and the effect of old-style filters.

An EQ (equalizer) adjusts the amount of low and high frequencies in a sound. You use it to clear up a muddy voice or reduce sounds that hurt the ears.

In this article we compare Pultec Passive EQ Collection with 15 EQ plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.

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Summary

Among the 15 EQ plug-ins, Pultec Passive EQ Collection is rank C. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and C is the lowest. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 1.5.

Things to keep in mind

• Handling problem bands (2 points): it has no function that reduces problem sounds automatically; it centers on basic tone adjustment.
• Speed (1 points): you have to decide the settings by ear.
• Stereo processing (1 points): it has no function for adjusting the center and the sides separately.

Who it suits: people who want to add the color of vintage EQs, such as thick lows and glossy mids.

Main features of Pultec Passive EQ Collection

A set of three recreated vintage tube EQs

This plug-in recreates the Pultec EQs that have been used for over 70 years, and includes three: the EQP-1A for lows and highs, the MEQ-5 for the mid range, and the HLF-3C, a filter that cuts excess lows and highs. The official page says the circuits were recreated part by part, including tubes and transformers. It is not an EQ for cutting in detail but an EQ for “coloration” that adds thickness and gloss to a sound.

EQP-1A: thicker lows, smoother highs

Its distinguishing point is that a small turn of the knobs lifts the low end firmly while keeping it tight. It is often used on bass, kick, synth bass and the finish of a whole song. The official page introduces a technique of lifting and cutting the lows at the same time (the so-called “Pultec trick”) to make a tight low end.

MEQ-5 and HLF-3C for the mid range and filters

The MEQ-5 has two bands that lift the mid range and one that lowers it, and suits giving presence to vocals, guitars and keyboards. The HLF-3C is a filter with only two knobs; it can remove rumbling lows and hissing highs, or deliberately make a sound like an old recording.

Runs on a computer alone, and also on UA hardware

It runs on a Windows or Mac computer alone, without a UA audio interface or DSP card. If you own UA’s Apollo or UAD hardware you can also run it there to reduce the load on your computer, and with the purchase you can use both versions.

Video: “Pultec Passive EQ Collection Sound Examples | UAD Native & UAD-2” (official Universal Audio YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube

Where it is useful

• Adding thick, tight lows to bass and kick
• Adding presence and warmth to the mid range of vocals and guitars
• Adding a little low-end weight and high-end gloss when finishing a whole song

Rating by criterion

Handling problem bands: 2 / 5

We check whether you can target and fix only the sounds that bother you, such as boominess or harshness.

All three units are static EQs that move a wide range with few knobs (they are not dynamic EQs).

If “handling problem bands” matters most to you, Pro-Q 4 (5 points) is a better fit.

Speed: 1 / 5

We check whether it has features that get you to a good setting quickly, such as automatic settings and a function that matches a reference sound.

You have to decide the settings by ear.

If “speed” matters most to you, smart:EQ 4 (5 points) is a better fit.

Stereo processing: 1 / 5

We check whether you can adjust the center sound (such as the vocal) and the sound spread to the sides separately.

It has no function for adjusting the center and the sides separately.

If “stereo processing” matters most to you, MAutoEqualizer and EQuilibrium (5 points) are a better fit.

How we score (EQ plug-ins)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Handling problem bands	The power to target and reduce boomy or harsh sounds	Dynamic EQ, plus processing that reacts only to specific frequencies inside a band	Dynamic EQ (works only when the sound gets loud), or separate processing of the attack and the sustained sound	A static EQ with many bands, or with a choice of processing quality such as linear phase	A static EQ with few bands	—
Speed	Features that help you decide settings quickly	AI balances the sound automatically and can also reduce overlap between tracks	Automatic EQ settings or EQ match, plus other aids	One aid, such as EQ match	Analyzer (a visual display of the sound) only	No aids listed
Stereo processing	Whether the center and the sides can be processed separately	Supports M/S, separate left/right and surround	Supports M/S plus either separate left/right or surround	M/S only	—	Not mentioned on the official page

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: balancing the sound of vocals and backing tracks in a mix. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Handling problem bands" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.

Pultec Passive EQ Collection screens and images

Pultec Passive EQ Collection system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Windows / Mac (native Apple silicon support)
Plug-in formats	VST3, AU, AAX
Other	Can also run on UA’s Apollo and UAD hardware (with the purchase you can use both versions)
Trial	Free trial available (“Try It For Free” on the official page)
OBS (streaming)	Does not work as it is (VST3 only). It can be loaded through a bridge plug-in

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026. How to use plug-ins in the OBS streaming software is explained in How to use VST3 plug-ins in OBS.

Compared with other EQ plug-ins

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Read next

• SlickEQ: features and rating (rank C)
• Oxford EQ: features and rating (rank C)
• Pro-Q 4: features and rating (rank S)
• smart:EQ 4: features and rating (rank A)