Programmable Analog 10 Band EQ PA-1QG

Announced at the NAMM Show 2018, the Programmable Analog 10 Band EQ is Yuki Hayashi's new "performance". For decades, effects manufacturers have almost systematically provided us with EQs in pedal format with audiofile qualities... Often very questionable! And limited functions. Well dear guitarist friends, that period is over! Free The Tone offers us a high-end EQ with the PA-1QG!
Externally the pedal adopts the same type of casing as the rest of the range, anodized, light, with a pearl white dress of any beauuuteeeyyeu. It is also manufactured, exceptionally, in the north of Japan and not in Yokohama, in order to support the local economy which suffered greatly following the events of 2011. We will appreciate the gesture!
On the front, there is a design that reveals formidable ergonomics and simplicity. Finally, let's remember, it's a Free The Tone, which means a completely original circuit developed from A to Z by the brand. No, it's not yet another lambda EQ, but a very serious reference, as always with the Japanese brand.

Quick overview. 2 footswitches; one to activate the effect, the other to switch from one MIDI preset to another and up to 99. You can therefore access 4 presets within the PA-1QG, this, on the fly. This will satisfy 99.99% of guitarists!. The pedal is therefore controllable with an external MIDI controller. At the interface level, almost everything is done with the Parameter button which allows you to adjust the frequencies and the overall level of the effect, as well as to scroll through the presets. We will go from one frequency range to another with two small arrows and... That's almost all! Simple and efficient. On the rear panel, the usual In and Out audios and Midi as well as an instrument level / line level switch.

Guitar under the fingers, as much to tell you right away, forget what you have known (MXR, Empress...) here we are on ultra-optimized. Above all else, the first major optimization is the signal-to-noise ratio. The Prog. Analog 10 Band EQ works in absolute silence and it is very significant, even with advanced settings. Second important point, it is transparent and impressively natural! Each note is like "coated" with a skilful mix of thickness, increased dynamics and excessive complexity in the treble. What does the PA-1QG do? It boosts and magnifies your signal at all levels, with a rare musicality and quality similar to the professional EQs found in racks in the heart of professional studios. Where many products of the genre do more damage than they correct things, the Free The Tone proves to be a tool for sculpting your sound, extremely precise and quickly essential. Oh... Important detail, the PA-1QG is so natural and transparent that it can act as a clean boost, volume pedal (long live MIDI), buffer (it is equipped with the HTS circuit, the brand's high quality buffer) and can be used both in the effects loop and on the front of the amp.

The Free The Tone Programmable Analog 10 Band EQ is, at the time of writing, surely the best pedal format EQ available on the market. Best for its on-board functions, its ease of use, its extreme musicality and all the services it will provide to the demanding musicians that we are! Note, there is also a Low version, just ask us! ;) A must of its kind.