Rare Bundle
Key Features
- Dual-plugin bundle (Rare + RareSE) covering both channel and bus/mastering Pultec-style EQ duties
- Simultaneous boost and attenuate on the same frequency band for the classic Pultec low-end resonant shelf trick
- Pre-EQ gain stage in Rare adds musical tube-style harmonic saturation before the equalizer circuit
- RareSE offers linkable Left/Right and Mid/Side processing for stereo imaging and mastering workflows
- 4x oversampling mode reduces aliasing artifacts during high-frequency processing
- Solo buttons for individual Left/Mid and Right/Side channels in RareSE for precise monitoring
- Fully resizable interface from 50% to 200% with a corner drag handle
Description
Rare Bundle by Analog Obsession is a pair of vintage program equalizer plugins modeled after the legendary Pultec EQP-1A. The bundle includes two versions — Rare and RareSE — both offering the signature Pultec ability to simultaneously boost and attenuate the same frequency band, producing the warm low-end thickening and silky high-end air that made the original hardware a studio standard.
Rare features a single-triode gain stage that introduces musical harmonic coloration before the EQ circuit, making it well-suited for adding character to individual channels. RareSE takes the design further with an SRPP topology matching the original unit, plus linkable Left/Mid and Right/Side sections for dual-mono and mid/side processing.
Both plugins deliver the classic Pultec low-frequency bump that adds weight to kick drums and bass without muddiness, alongside smooth high-frequency shelving for adding presence to vocals and mix buses. The simultaneous boost-and-cut trick on the low band creates a distinctive resonant shelf that no standard parametric EQ can replicate.
Users praise the bundle for its authentic tube-style warmth and clean output, noting that it adds clarity and low-end foundation to mixes. The minimalist hardware-inspired interface keeps the workflow simple and focused on ear-driven decisions rather than visual precision.
Both versions include 4x oversampling (activated by clicking the Analog Obsession logo), bypass switches, output level controls, and fully resizable interfaces from 50% to 200%.
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Tips
- Use the CPS Low Boost and CPS Low Atten together to enhance the low end of kick drums without muddying the mix.
- Engage the 4x oversampling by clicking the Analog Obsession label to reduce aliasing artifacts, especially useful for high-frequency processing.
- Utilize the Mid/Side processing mode to adjust the stereo width and focus on specific elements in the mix.
- Save your preferred GUI size as a default preset in your DAW to maintain consistency across sessions.
- Experiment with unlinking the L/R channels in RareSE for creative stereo effects and more precise control over the stereo field.
- Use the output control to match the plugin's output level with the input level, ensuring a consistent gain structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Rare and RareSE?
Rare is the single-channel version with a unique single-triode gain stage for adding harmonic character. RareSE adds dual-mono stereo processing with linkable Left/Right and Mid/Side sections, making it better suited for bus processing, stereo imaging, and mastering work.
How do you enable oversampling in the Rare Bundle?
Click the Analog Obsession logo on the plugin interface to toggle 4x oversampling on and off. Oversampling reduces aliasing artifacts and is especially useful when doing aggressive high-frequency boosting, though it increases CPU usage.
Why would you boost and cut the same frequency at the same time?
This is the classic Pultec trick. Boosting and attenuating the same low frequency creates a distinctive resonant shelf that adds weight and punch without muddiness. The boost and cut circuits interact to produce a curve that no standard parametric EQ can replicate, which is why the Pultec design remains popular decades after the original hardware.
Can Rare Bundle be used for mastering?
Yes. RareSE is specifically designed for bus and mastering use with its Mid/Side processing mode. You can apply different EQ curves to the mid and side channels independently, which is valuable for widening the stereo image or tightening the center without affecting the sides.
