Carnaby HE2
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2-Channel HarmonicEQ™
  • Stereo 2u 19-Inch rack 3-band parametric analogue EQ with unique HarmonicEQ® circuit per side for harmonically-enriched EQ effects.

  • Bypassable 3-band, HarmonicEQ® 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.

  • Stereo, Dual Mono & Mid/Side operation.

  • Bypassable Hi & Lo Cut controls per channel.

  • Bypassable TRS Insert per channel.

  • True-bypass IN/OUT switching per channel.

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

  • Carnaby HE2 Control for remote parameter control + preset save/recall via USB or Network.

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

+26.0dBu (<0.003% THD)
Max Output Level +26.0dBu (<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)

Hi Cut Filter
Type Progressive slope low-pass filter
Slope 1st order - 3db per octave
2nd order - 6db per octave
3rd order - 12dB per octave
Frequency Range  -3db, 8kHz -40kHz

Lo Cut Filter
Type Progressive slope high-pass filter
Slope 1st order - 6db per octave
2nd order - 12db per octave
3rd order - 18dB per octave
Frequency Range  -3db, 18Hz -180Hz
1/4" TRS Inserts
Type Balanced, dedicated send & return, normalled
Config Post M/S encoding & Carnaby, pre M/S decoding
Max Input Level (return) +26.0dBu (<0.003% THD+N)
Max Output Level (send) +26.0dBu (<0.003% THD+N)

Mid/Side
Type Encoder/decoder
Matrix Sum-difference matrix

Environmental

Operating Temperature

+1 to 35 degrees Celsius

Storage Conditions

-20 to 50 degrees Celsius
Dims/Weights
Unit
Width 48.3cm (19”) (Rackmount)
Height 8.9cm (3.5") (2u)
Depth 23.6cm (9.3")
Unit Weight 6kg (13lbs)
Shipping carton
Width 60cm (23.6")
Height 18cm (7")
Depth 35cm (13.8")
Carton Weight 6.5 kg (14 lbs)

 

 

 

 

 

Carnaby HE2 User Guide 2.0 [PDF]

Below you will find the most recent release notes and installers for Mac and Windows operating systems. These installers include both the standalone and plug-in versions of the Carnaby HE2 Control software.

AAX, VST3 and AU formats are available.

 

Please note:

Firmware 1.0.1 must be on your hardware to connect with Carnaby HE2 Control v1.0.3.

 

Carnaby HE2 Firmware:

Carnaby HE2 Firmware 1.0.1 Release Notes

Carnaby HE2 Firmware Update Process

Carnaby HE2 Firmware 1.0.1 File

 

Carnaby HE2 Control:

Carnaby HE2 Control v1.0.3 Release Notes

Carnaby HE2 Control v1.0.3 Windows 10 & 11 Installer

Carnaby HE2 Control v1.0.3 Mac OS 13, 14 & 15 Installer

 

Refer to User Guide 2.0 in the documentation section of this page for more information.

 

 

Sound On Sound Review [Webpage]

 

Tape Op Magazine Review [Webpape]

An Evolution Of HarmonicEQ™

Carnaby HE2 is a 2u 19-Inch rack stereo 3-band parametric EQ – an evolution of our Carnaby 500.

Carnaby HE2 HarmonicEQ™ utilises the same unique and revolutionary EQ concept found in Carnaby 500, using harmonic saturation to boost and cut frequency content. Enhance your sources, stems and mixes with genuine analogue harmonic saturation with the feel, familiarity, and control of an equaliser. Explore how we take this concept even further.

2-channel HarmonicEQ™ + Much More

Whether being used for Stereo, Dual Mono or Mid-Side processing, Carnaby HE2 features 3 bypassable, interactive bands of HarmonicEQ™ per channel. Each band has 10dB of boost/cut and its own sweepable and overlapping frequency controls. As with Carnaby 500, each of Carnaby HE2s bands 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 HE2 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 HE2 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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Fully Digitally-Controlled with USB and Network options

Carnaby HE2 takes control to a whole new level allowing all buttons and controls of the unit to be controlled remotely via USB or an Ethernet network. Carnaby HE2 Control seamlessly integrates with the Carnaby HE2 hardware via the USB or NET ports, allowing for convenient real-time control and recall from within your DAW. It also facilitates the independent saving and loading of presets.

Mid/Side Processing

Especially valuable for mastering, mixing, and sound design applications, Carnaby HE2 allows for Mid/Side processing, allowing you to apply HarmonicEQ™ to the separate mid (center) and side (stereo width) components of your stereo signal. No additional hardware is needed, Carnaby HE2 takes care of all the necessary encoding and decoding.

Inserts for outboard hardware

Carnaby HE2 features a bypassable TRS Insert on each of its two channels, allowing you to use each of these Inserts to connect outboard hardware before your signal hits the HarmonicEQ™ processing.. The inserts are post M/S encoding and pre M/S decoding.

Carnaby HE2 Videos

Carnaby HE2 Community Videos

Cranborne Audio Media Reviews

“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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