Abbey Road RS56 Passive EQ

The original mastering EQ from Abbey Road Studios—reborn for creative mixing

The Abbey Road EQ that Guides You to Musical Decisions

Even the most modern productions revere the classic sounds of the 50s and 60s—like those from the RS56, the very first parametric EQ. A silky smooth, powerful and musical stereo EQ, RS56 is perfect for loops, drums and synths, or the entire mix bus.

Created in the early 50s for mastering, the RS56 was used extensively in the vinyl cutting rooms. But before long, Abbey Road’s recording engineers realized it was superior to the basic tone controls found in that era’s consoles—and it quickly became a go-to option, famously heard on the Beatles’ recordings.

Developed in close collaboration with Abbey Road Studios
Precise modeling of the rare gear used on classic recordings
3 bands, 4 frequencies per band, 6 filter types per band
Stereo, dual mono, or mid-side processing
Models the velvety, transparent sound of passive equalization
EQ graph provides visual frequency response confirmation
37 presets showcase the RS56’s classic qualities
Includes helpful, modern enhancements to the original

Watch It in Action

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What Top Pros Are Saying

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The “Curve Bender”: Simplicity, Style, and Maximum Musicality

Harness the Creative Mixing Possibilities of the “Curve Bender”
Do the math—RS56’s 18 controls allow for 14 million (!) different control combinations. Yet, the parameters are arranged so simply and logically that dialing in the right sound is easy. This creativity earned the unit its “Curve Bender” nickname, due to its ability to mangle sound.
Not Just 3 Bands—the Right Bands
3 bands? Look again. Each band has 4 curated frequencies and 6 different filter characters, from “blunt” to “sharp.” These parameters were chosen for maximum musicality, and are valid to this day.
Digital Additions to the Original Classic
The original unit’s ±10 dB of gain has been increased to ±20 dB of gain in the plugin, to match current mixing standards. The plugin also adds Mid/Sides options in addition to mono and stereo. And a graphic display—not possible in the original hardware—provides insights into the frequency response settings.

Abbey Road Studios, Curve Bender and RS and their associated logos are trade marks of EMI (IP) Limited.