Cranborne Audio Carnaby 500
The Cranborne Audio Carnaby 500 is a 3-band parametric analogue EQ for the 500 Series format featuring Cranborne Audio’s unique HarmonicEQ technology. Rather than using conventional EQ circuitry alone, HarmonicEQ uses harmonic saturation to boost and cut frequency content, combining the familiar control of an equaliser with analogue harmonic enhancement.
Carnaby 500 provides three interactive EQ bands with sweepable frequency controls, dedicated harmonic characteristics and up to 10 dB of boost and cut. Its dynamic response means that the EQ curve and harmonic content change depending on how hard the circuitry is driven, allowing the processor to move from cleaner equalisation to increasingly saturated tonal shaping.
HarmonicEQ Analogue Equalisation
Carnaby 500 uses harmonic saturation as an integral part of its equalisation process. Each of its LO, MID and HI bands features a different blend of harmonic content designed specifically for its frequency range.
Instead of simply increasing or reducing level at the selected frequency, HarmonicEQ adds harmonics alongside the EQ response. This enables Carnaby 500 to shape sources, stems and complete mixes while introducing analogue harmonic character.
Dedicated LED indicators for the LO, MID and HI bands provide visual feedback of the saturation level.
Three Interactive EQ Bands
The three HarmonicEQ bands feature overlapping frequency ranges and independent sweepable frequency controls.
HI Band
The high-frequency shelving band operates from 5 kHz to 25 kHz. It uses smooth saturation to extend harmonic content beyond the audio band and can be used to shape air and high-frequency detail.
MID Band
The MID band is a fixed-Q peaking filter with a wide frequency range from 200 Hz to 6.2 kHz. Harmonic saturation adds emphasis throughout the selected midrange frequency area.
LO Band
The low-frequency shelving band covers 20 Hz to 420 Hz. It uses hard-clipping saturation to extend sub-harmonic frequencies into the audible low-frequency range, allowing anything from subtle low-end enhancement to stronger sub-harmonic saturation.
Dynamic Harmonic Response
Carnaby 500 responds dynamically to signal level. As the circuitry is driven harder, both the harmonic content and the amount of boost or cut increase.
Separate Input and Output controls provide ±20 dB of level adjustment. Increasing the input level can drive the HarmonicEQ circuitry harder for greater saturation and distortion, while reducing the level allows cleaner EQ processing.
This level-dependent behaviour provides an additional method of controlling the character and intensity of the EQ beyond the individual band controls.
OptoSync Stereo Linking
Two Carnaby 500 modules can be linked for stereo operation using Cranborne Audio’s OptoSync technology.
OptoSync synchronises the controls of the slave module with the master using LED and optical communication, requiring no internal linking cables between adjacent modules. A 1/8-inch TRS socket is also provided for linking modules that are not positioned next to each other.
Multiple Carnaby 500 modules can also be linked to apply matching settings across multi-channel configurations.
Automatic circuit calibration helps maintain accurate stereo matching between modules.
Key Features
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3-band parametric analogue EQ for the 500 Series format
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Cranborne Audio HarmonicEQ technology
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Harmonic saturation integrated into EQ boost and cut
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Three interactive HarmonicEQ bands
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Sweepable LO, MID and HI frequency controls
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LO shelving band from 20 Hz to 420 Hz
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Fixed-Q MID peaking band from 200 Hz to 6.2 kHz
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HI shelving band from 5 kHz to 25 kHz
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Dedicated harmonic character for each frequency band
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Dynamic EQ and harmonic response based on signal level
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±20 dB Input Level control
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±20 dB Output Level control
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LO, MID and HI saturation LED indicators
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OptoSync optical stereo linking
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1/8-inch TRS connection for linking non-adjacent modules
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Automatic circuit calibration for stereo matching
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True-bypass IN/OUT switching
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Complete or post-input-trim bypass modes selectable via DIP switch
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Stepped front-panel controls
Technical Specifications
Maximum input level: +26 dBu at <0.003% THD
Maximum output level: +26 dBu at <0.003% THD
Noise floor: < -93 dBu with all bands bypassed
Input impedance: 10 kΩ
Output impedance: 150 Ω
Current draw: 140 mA per rail idle, 160 mA peak
HI Band
Filter type: High shelf
Frequency range: 5 kHz to 25 kHz
Boost/Cut: ±12 dB at -6 dBu; +13 dB / -18 dB at +14 dBu
MID Band
Filter type: Peak filter
Frequency range: 200 Hz to 6.2 kHz
Boost/Cut: ±5 dB at -6 dBu; +10 dB / -18 dB at +14 dBu
LO Band
Filter type: Low shelf
Frequency range: 20 Hz to 420 Hz
Boost/Cut: ±8.5 dB at -6 dBu; ±12 dB at +14 dBu
Dimensions
Width: 170 mm
Height: 31 mm
Depth: 133 mm
Weight: 0.4 kg
