Carnaby 500
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HarmonicEQ™
  • 3-band parametric 500 Series analogue EQ with unique Harmonic EQ™ circuit for harmonically-enriched EQ effects.

  • 3-band, 500 Series Harmonic EQTM meticulously developed by the Cranborne Audio team in the UK.

  • Parametric LO and HI shelving bands with ±10dB of cut/boost and harmonic saturation.

  • Parametric peaking MID band with ±10dB of cut/boost, fixed Q and harmonic saturation.

  • LO, MID, and HI LED indicators to display saturation level.

  • ±20dB Input and Output Level for dense harmonic saturation or clean EQ effects.

  • OptoSync wireless communication between modules for linked controls during stereo operation.

  • ⅛” TRS socket for linking non-adjacent modules.

  • Circuit auto-calibration for perfect stereo matching between all modules.

  • True-bypass IN/OUT switching with complete or post input trim modes available on DIP switch.

  • Stepped, front-panel controls for quick recall and precise feel.

All specifications are typical performance unless otherwise noted. All specifications are subject to change at any time. Tested with Audio Precision APx555.

Technical Data

Test Signal Path

APx555 (Line Out) - Input - Line Output - APx555 (Line In)

Max Input Level

+26dBu (<0.003% THD)
Max Output Level +26dBu (<0.003% THD)

Noise Floor

<-93dBu all bands bypassed

Input Impedance

Line = 10 kOhms

Output Impedance

Line = 150 Ohms

Current Draw

140mA per rail - idle, 160mA peak

EQ Specifications

Hi Band

Filter Type

High Shelf Filter

Frequency Range

 5kHz - 25kHz
Boost/Cut ±12dB,  @ -6dBu
 +13dB, - 18dB, @ +14dBu

Harmonics

~8% THD+N (100Hz, +4dBu)
 ~12% THD+N (100Hz, +14dBu)
Mid Band
Filter Type Peak Filter
Frequency Range 200Hz - 6.2kHz
Boost/Cut ±5dB @ -6dBu
+10dB, - 18dB @ +14dBu
Harmonics ~8% THD+N (100Hz, +4dBu)
 ~12% THD+N (100Hz, +14dBu)
Lo Band
Filter Type Low Shelf Filter
Frequency Range 20Hz - 420Hz
Boost/Cut ±8.5dB @ -6dBu
 ±12dB @ +14dBu
Harmonics ~8% THD+N (100Hz, +4dBu)
~12% THD+N (100Hz, +14dBu)

Environmental

Operating Temperature

+1 to 35 degrees Celsius

Storage Conditions

-20 to 50 degrees Celsius
Dims/Weights
Unit
Width 170mm (6.6”)
Height 31mm (1.2")
Depth 133mm (5.2")
Unit Weight 0.4kg (0.9 lbs)
Shipping carton
Width 250mm (9.5")
Height 200mm (7.8")
Depth 100mm (4")
Carton Weight 0.5kg (1.1lb)

 

 

 

 

 

Carnaby 500 Quick Start Guide [PDF]


Carnaby 500 Sample Settings [PDF]

Sound On Sound Review [Webpage]

 

Tape Op Magazine [Webpage]

 

A World First

Carnaby 500 is a 3-band parametric EQ for the 500 series format with a unique and revolutionary EQ concept conceived and created by Cranborne Audio. Carnaby 500 is the world’s first Harmonic EQ™ - an analogue EQ that uses harmonic saturation to boost and cut frequency content. It enhances your sources, stems and mixes with genuine analogue harmonic saturation with the feel, familiarity, and control of an equaliser.

3-Band Parametric EQ With More

Carnaby 500 features 3 interactive bands of Harmonic EQ™ with each band having 10dB of boost/cut and its own sweepable and overlapping frequency controls. Each band of Carnaby 500 has a unique blend of harmonic content suited to its frequency band to achieve maximum musicality.

HI Band
The HI band has a frequency range from 5kHz all the way to 25kHz and uses smooth saturation to naturally extend high frequencies beyond the audio band for ultimate air and breath on vocals and acoustic instruments.

MID Band
The MID band is a peaking filter with a fixed Q and a wide sweepable frequency range from 200Hz up to 6.2kHz. It uses saturation to add harmonic emphasis to the source anywhere in the frequency range.

LO Band
The LO band has a frequency range of 420Hz down to 20Hz and uses hard-clipping saturation to extend sub-harmonic frequencies into the audible low-end - perfect for subtle low-end warming or extreme sub-harmonic saturation.

Dynamic Response
Unlike other EQs, Carnaby 500 has a dynamic response and increases in total boost/cut and harmonics as the circuits are driven harder. An Input and Output level control on each band allows for ±20dB of level adjustment, enabling you to drive Carnaby 500 harder with the input control for more saturation and distortion effects, or back it off for a cleaner EQ when needed.

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Stereo-Link via OPTOSYNC

Carnaby 500 not only features a world-first EQ circuit, but it also has an innovative stereo-linking feature called OPTOSYNC which enables two Carnaby 500 units to work as a perfect stereo pair for mixes and stereo sources. 

Using OPTOSYNC, all controls are synchronized from the left unit to the right without cables or internal fixings. Switch OPTOSYNC for all slave units to ON and their control’s all synchronize to the master unit wirelessly using LED and optical communication. You can also use OPTOSYNC to link together multiple units for applying the same sonic footprint across entire summing mixers or multi-channel surround mixes.

More Videos

Community Video

“A radically different and musically effective approach to analogue EQ.”

“This genuinely new, innovative design delivers something musically effective that’s truly different from conventional EQs or, for that matter, harmonic enhancers…”

“Perhaps not surprisingly, almost everything sounded bigger, ‘phatter’, and with more airy sheen…”

Read Review

Hugh Robjohns
Sound On Sound
“Cranborne Audio are onto something very serious here! This is a completely unique device…as per usual Cranborne Audio have overdelivered.” 

Watch Review
Alec Brits
Music In The Cabin

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