Blonder Tongue Audio Baton: Tube Graphic EQ Plugin by Antelope Audio

The original Audio Baton was a budget graphic equalizer that found use in recording studios and audiophile setups. Antelope Audio says its emulation keeps the unit's distinctive character rather than offering a generic modern EQ sound.

The developer's description places its tonal character between two well-known vintage designs, the Altec 9073A graphic equalizer and the Pultec tube make-up gain stage. The plugin adds a Magic Eye style peak meter in the upper right corner, which gives visual feedback on signal level while matching the unit's late 1950s look.

The Audio Baton uses nine frequency bands, each with a 28dB control range, so you can boost or cut specific regions by a significant amount. The bands are laid out with colored stripes, and a frequency response curve is drawn over them, so boosts and cuts are easy to read at a glance.

The plugin is intended for correcting frequency response errors, such as excessive bass or a shrill top end. Antelope Audio also highlights its use for bringing out the fundamental notes of individual instruments and improving the clarity of instruments, vocals and speech.