Thermionic Culture Pullet Passive Mid-Range Equalizer

The Thermionic Culture Pullet is a passive mid-range equalizer designed to work in series with any mic preamp providing up to 40dB of gain. Rather than acting as a standalone processor, the Pullet inserts between the signal source and the preamp: it shapes the frequency content passively—introducing no active circuitry of its own—and the preamp following it restores gain. This approach, used in classic passive EQ designs such as the Pultec, produces a natural and musical quality that is inherent to passive equalization. The Pullet expands significantly on previous passive EQ designs in the mid-range: variable Q boost of up to 21dB is available at 11 different frequencies, fixed-Q cut at 11 frequencies, and a switched High Top shelving control handles high-frequency boost and cut. A Sowter input transformer at the 10kΩ input allows the Pullet to be placed after any piece of equipment without impedance concerns.

Key Features

• Passive equalizer — no active circuitry — EQ network is entirely passive; the passive nature of the design ensures natural-sounding results even with radical settings; reduces signal level, requiring a preamp with up to 40dB of gain at the output to restore unity
• Variable Q mid boost — 11 frequencies — up to 21dB of variable-Q boost available at 11 selectable mid-range frequencies; wide range of mid-range lift options not found in previous passive EQ designs
• Fixed Q mid cut — 11 frequencies — fixed-Q cut at the same 11 frequencies; can be applied independently of the boost control
• High Top control — switched shelving-style filters for boost or cut of high frequencies
• Sowter input transformer at 10kΩ — allows the Pullet to be placed after any piece of equipment without impedance matching concerns; balanced in/out on XLR connectors
• Compatible with any preamp up to 40dB gain — designed to work with any standalone outboard preamp or console mic preamp, making use of existing gain stages during mixing
• Short high-quality connection leads included — for connection to mic preamp inputs

Specifications

• EQ Type: Passive
• Mid Boost: Variable Q; up to 21dB; 11 selectable frequencies
• Mid Cut: Fixed Q; 11 selectable frequencies
• High Top: Switched shelving (boost and cut)
• Required Preamp Gain: Up to 40dB (for unity gain at flat/bypass)
• Input Impedance: 10kΩ
• Input Transformer: Sowter
• Connectors: XLR (balanced in/out)
• Included: Short high-quality connection leads
• Construction: Handcrafted in England