TK Audio TK-lizer 3 Mastering M/S EQ

TK Audio has announced the TK-lizer 3, a 19-inch mastering and mix bus EQ that combines a Baxandall-derived tone architecture with switchable mid/side (M/S) processing and fully stepped controls. It replaces the TK-lizer 2 with new input/output stages, revised EQ circuits for extended lows and highs, and an updated M/S matrix for improved channel separation, plus new bakelite knobs and toggles.

What is a Baxandall M/S EQ? Baxandall refers to the classic, gentle-slope tone-control topology known for broad, natural shelves and smooth phase behavior. Here it is implemented across three bands with selectable shelf or peak on the lows and highs, so you can make wide, musical moves without edginess. M/S processing matrices left/right into a center (mid) channel and a difference (side) channel, letting you EQ image components independently. In practice that means you can add a touch of air to the sides, high-pass just the sides to keep the sub in mono, or trim/boost the mid to control centrally panned elements and stereo width without an external encoder/decoder.

• Topology: Three-band Baxandall EQ with selectable shelf/peak on low and high; stepped controls throughout.
• Bands: 6 frequency points per band; mids fixed-Q (Q=0.5). Example ranges: low 28-255 Hz, mid 400 Hz-4.8 kHz, high 4-25 kHz. +/-0.5 to 4 dB per band.
• Modes: Left/Right or M/S with front-panel illuminated switching; side level governs perceived width.
• HPF: 12 frequencies at 12 dB/oct; switchable x5 range for higher cutoff points; useful for mono-ing the low end.
• Cue: Monitor Left, Right, Mid, or Side to audition moves in context.
• I/O: Electronically balanced path, no electrolytics in the audio path; 115/230 V internal selector.
• Specs: 20 Hz-80 kHz +/-0.1 dB; THD+N 0.0004% at 0 dBu; S/N 95 dB; dynamic range 123 dB; M/S channel separation better than 60 dB.

For mix and mastering work, the TK-lizer 3 targets program-shaping duties on the 2-bus and stems where recall, stereo image control, and broad tonal moves matter. Stepped increments make settings repeatable, and the onboard M/S avoids extra converters or patching.

Price: MSRP $1899 USD / €1859 (inc. 20% VAT) / £1619 (inc. 20% VAT) / SEK 17 995 (inc. 25% VAT). Available now via TK Audio dealers.

More Info: https://www.tkaudio.se/product/tk-lizer-3/

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