BlackCab
Portable Parametric EQ
Studio-grade, single-channel parametric EQ in a tiny footprint. Part of the English Channel portable audio processor series.
Vintage Analog EQ, To-Go
Make studio-quality recordings anywhere
A Parametric EQ is a must-have for any serious audio processing. It can correct for mic placement, add confidence, body and sheen to your sound. If you are working on the go, you need a fast, portable tool that sounds great, without a fuss.
The British recording consoles are revered for the sonic warmth and tactile immediacy of their analog EQ. That sound continues to hold a romantic appeal, so we used modern components to recreate it, in a portable form factor.
The name BlackCab is a nod to the London taxi. It’s our way to celebrate the legendary sound of British EQ.
BlackCab fits in your pocket and powers from any USB charger (or power bank) in the world. Now you can achieve great sounding vocals when you travel, and never miss your studio gear rack. Best of all, because BlackCab is so easy to use, you can get your job done quickly and get back to enjoying your travels in no time!
Analog technology sounds warm and doesn’t become obsolete, like digital. With Analog, there is no need to squint over menus or upgrade firmware. It just works, for many years to come.
Key features
The Right Filters
Cut the rumble with a steep Low-cut filter. Add a subtle sheen with the properly-voiced high-frequency shelf. Pad the output to match the sensitivity of the next processing stage. Engage the Bypass switch to quickly A/B the “before and after”. Enjoy studio-grade features in a handheld device.
Parametric EQ
BlackCab EQ is great for enhancing speech and music. The prestigious “Sound on Sound” magazine said this: “The EQ is clean-sounding and capable”. That’s because we maintain the analog tradition but use modern, super-quiet circuitry to keep the noise and audio distortion way down.
Parametric EQ
BlackCab EQ is great for enhancing speech and music. The prestigious “Sound on Sound” magazine said this: “The EQ is clean-sounding and capable”. That’s because we maintain the analog tradition but use modern, super-quiet circuitry to keep the noise and audio distortion way down.
Pro Connections
With genuine, gold-plated Neutrik™ XLR jacks and pristine, triple-filtered internal power supplies we maintain studio-grade sound quality in a portable form factor. Don’t let the size fool you. This EQ rivals its 19″ rack counterparts. The modern convenience of clean USB power means your EQ can travel the world.
Line Output
Connecting a camera for a Live stream or a YouTube video? No problem! BlackCab has a dual-mono, 3.5 mm jack on the back panel that outputs consumer-level signal for your line-level devices. Bonus: you can easily mount BlackCab to camera equipment with a standard 1/4″-20 camera screw.
Line Output
Connecting a camera for a Live stream or a YouTube video? No problem! BlackCab has a dual-mono, 3.5 mm jack on the back panel that outputs consumer-level signal for your line-level devices. Bonus: you can easily mount BlackCab to camera equipment with a standard 1/4″-20 camera screw.
Part of the English Channel
BlackCab is part of The English Channel, the only modular, portable channel strip with a built-in SD card Recorder and a streaming USB interface. This portable vocal processor lets you quickly shape your sound, making it ready for live streaming or recording. Put it in a backpack and travel the world.
Product Details
Vintage Analog Value
What sets BlackCab apart is the outstanding audio quality, in a small, handheld device. Rack-mount studio EQ devices cost thousands of dollars, straining your wallet AND your back. Yet, BlackCab fits in a pocket, costs a fraction, and sounds great. BlackCab is an easy to use, portable, Parametric EQ. Its proven analog technology stands the test of time. A full complement of vintage, tone-shaping goodness, BlackCab sounds sweet and warm. It offers instant monitoring and immediate adjustments. Your sound will improve, no matter where you record. We guarantee it.
Designed by the Experts
We are musicians and studio engineers, so we made our EQ soft and musical, letting you make fine adjustments without overpowering your sound. 3 bands of Parametric EQ offers a lot of flexibility, but we didn’t stop there. We added a second-order low-cut filter to dramatically reduce rumble from the table or the mic stand. We also added a shelving spectral enhancer to give your vocals a special presence. On British mixing consoles especially ones designed by Rupert Neve, this control is usually labeled “Air” or “Sheen”.
Confidence in your Content
Small and easy to use, BlackCab is designed to improve the sound of your Videos, Podcasts, VO, and Livestreams, and help you achieve that clean, confident tone. Vintage analog tech sounds warm and is easy to use, helping you make stunning recordings with breathtaking realism and overwhelming depth.
Specs
EQ Type | 3-band Parametric, True Analog circuit |
Frequency bands | Low: 72Hz to 480 Hz, Mid: 437 Hz to 2.9 kHz, High: 2.4 Hz to 16 kHz |
Boost/Cut | +/- 9 dB in each band |
Q range | Q = 0.4 (3 octaves) to Q = 8 (0.18 octave) |
High Pass filter (HPF) | Also known as “Low Cut filter”. Slope: 6 db / Octave; -3 dB @ 125 Hz. |
“Air” filter | High-pass shelf, also known as “Sheen”. Slope: 2.3 dB / Octave; +3 dB @ 7.6 kHz |
Freq. Response | 20 Hz…20 kHz, +/-0.1 dB; -3dB at 66 kHz (when set flat) |
THD+N | -100 dB (0.001%) @ +7 dBV input |
Max input level | +15.3 dBV ( +17.5 dBu) |
Output impedance | 150 Ohm, balanced |
Dynamic Range | 110.8 dB |
Noise Floor | -95.5 dBV (-93.3 dBu) |
PAD switch | -21 dB |
Bypass Switch | True hardware bypass |
Connector types | Gold-plated, genuine Neutrik™ XLR |
Case material | Lightweight Aircraft Aluminum |
Mounting Options | Camera-style screw mount (1/4″-20), Commander Console™ cradle range |
External Power | USB-C, 5 VDC (USB charger not included) |
Power consumption | 330 mA, works with any USB charger or power bank |
Power through jack | Designed only for use with other English Channel series devices. Not a regular USB jack. |
Internal Power | Fully Filtered and Regenerated to +/-10 VDC, super-clean audio rails |
Unit Dimensions | 121 mm (4.76″) (L), 70 mm (2.76″) (W), 36 mm (1.42″) (H) |
Unit Weight | 200 grams (7 ounces) |
Box Dimensions | 161 mm (6.33″) (L), 111 mm (4.37″) (W), 42 mm (1.65″) (H) |
Box Weight | 350 grams (12.3 ounces) |
VIDEOS
Check out these educational and fun videos we put together!