Metric Halo uses a new technology called State Space Model Extraction to capture all the analog character, nuance and built-in interaction of the original MES-432D9's filters.

In fact you can change the overall sound of the equalizer with three choices: Pure Analog is the default 1:1 model of the Sontec hardware (my preference), the Aggressive mode includes the sound of analog-to-digital conversion, and the no analog model is free of analog character and harmonics.

The Sontec has a resizable GUI up to 150% big but the 100% size is good for when I'm dialing in a sound and also good is the switchable graphical window to show the actual EQ curves in play.

The Sontec has three peaking bands with switchable Qs of 5, 6, 9, 11, and 15. The high and low shelving EQs have both 8kHz or 12kHz high frequency choices and 50Hz or 100Hz low frequency points. All sections link/unlink so the MES makes a good pair of mono track EQs but for the stereo bus, you'd want them linked.

For my faux mastering session, I liked the nice big knobs you can grab with the mouse and swing up and down looking for the "spot"--just like the actual hardware Sontec EQs I remember! The mix opened up with a smooth boost of +2dB of shelving EQ at 12kHz. For shaping individual tracks in my mix, the graphic was useful. The Q of 15 is not too sharp but still surgical and is good to tame down nasty resonances.

So the new Metric Halo/Make Believe Studios Sontec MES 432-D9D EQ is a winner and sells for: $299.99 as a download.

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