Year/Release Date : 2025
Version : 1.1.7
Developer : Pulsar Audio
Developer’s website : https://pulsar.audio/poseidon/
Format : VST, VST3, AAX
Bit depth : 64bit
Tablet : cured
System requirements : Windows 7+
- 89.4 MB
Description : A wild equalizer, created on the model of a rare and legendary console,
has turned into an easy-to-use modern tool.About the program
Ask an engineer to list the equalizers that make their eyes and ears light up, and they’ll likely mention an inductor-based design with a nautical name that conjures up images of the god Poseidon. The EQ section of this rare and legendary console reproduced the sound of records you probably grew up on: Queen, The Beatles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones … Let’s just say it’s a “time-tested” option.
Featured in very few studios, this console is renowned for its highly musical performance. One of the key components of its mojo is the unique interaction of the bands—increasing the gain of one band can create EQ curves that would otherwise require three or four bands on a parametric EQ.
Using such a unique equalizer takes time to get used to. The interaction between its bands is so unique that we’ve never seen a digital reproduction that was so easy to use. So, we decided to create
our own, using an on-screen equalizer curve that accurately reproduces the characteristics of the original hardware, making the Pulsar Poseidon easy to master.
With all its extra features (mid/sidebands, gain scale, auto gain, multiple saturation colors), this plugin (VST/VST3/AU/AAX) faithfully reproduces the rare and iconic qualities of this console EQ in digital format.
EXPANDED RANGE FOR MODERN NEEDS:
While the original machine is highly regarded for its carefully selected discrete frequencies, we’ve made the frequency controls continuous and expanded their range to meet modern requirements. At the time, peak EQ below 100 Hz would have required fist-sized inductors.
Complete control with CURVE EDITING.
See how each band or filter affects the sound with the full-screen curve editor and spectrum analyzer. This best-of-both-worlds approach will allow you to better understand what you’re doing and optimize your workflow.
Pulsar Poseidon in a curved housing
Increased versatility
As usual, we’ve added midrange processing for more precise stereo imaging, a gain-zoom control to help you dial in the optimal EQ intensity, and an auto gain function that maintains a constant output level.
Add rich analog distortion to your sources with several
saturation circuits, including an original circuit renowned for its tonal quality. We’ve also added two output transformer emulations to enhance low-frequency harmonics.
ACCURATE MODELING OF BAND INTERACTION:
We’ve accurately recreated the interactions between the bands of the original device. The shape of one filter depends on the settings of the others, resulting in asymmetrical bells and exotic curves. In Pulsar Poseidon, these creative EQ shapes are finally visible and easy to use.
“A” A Long History in a Nutshell
These consoles have a unique history. They were designed by Malcolm Toft, Barry Porter , and, among others, producer Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, The Cars, Devo) . But more importantly, these consoles emerged at a specific moment in history, when sound engineers and electronic engineers worked hand in hand, almost like artisans, to create instruments perfectly suited to their needs. The preamps are all Class-A and discrete, and are clones of the Revox A77. Originally, they were to be equipped with Marinair LO10468 input transformers, the same as those found in the mythical Neve 1073 (and all Neve 10-series).
However, between development and production, Neve had already purchased Marinair’s entire stock of transformers, so they were forced to look for an alternative, making several changes to the circuit. Zutt transformers were ultimately used. Later, some units were also equipped with Jensen transformers. Incidentally, Lenny Kravitz’s New York stand used Jensen microphone pretransformers instead of Zutt ones due to radio interference from the New York City train system!
The magic of your childhood returns.
As for the equalizers, simple yet thoughtful choices were made to minimize background noise. One interesting trick involved using two parallel equalizers with peaking and minimal crosstalk between the bands, which helps reduce output impedance. This happy accident resulted in excellent equalizers due to the musical interaction between the bands. This secret equalizer formula has positively impacted countless hit records, providing a rich and full-bodied tone.
Bands that have recorded on this console include Queen, The Beatles, Metallica, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Elton John…
Thanks to the mastery of Pulsar Audio, you can now recreate and bring back the unique sound of records that have made music history—all with a modern interface and features that let you integrate and tame this beast in your DAW.
