From adding airy presence to vocals and bringing out the sparkle in acoustic guitars to enhancing ribbon microphones, tightening bass DI tracks, and opening up drum overheads, the Mäag Audio PREQ2 delivers a remarkably versatile range of tone-shaping possibilities. At the heart of its sound is the legendary Air Band®, allowing engineers to add depth, dimension, and clarity with just a few dB of boost. Whether tracking or mixing, the PREQ2 makes it easy to achieve polished, professional results while preserving the natural character of the source.
1. Add Air to Vocals
Air Band: 10 kHz or 20 kHz
Boost: +2 to +5 dB
Result: More openness, presence, and expensive-sounding top end. 2. Make Acoustic Guitars Shine
Air Band: 15 kHz
Boost: +2 to +4 dB
Engage HPF if needed.
Result: Enhanced string detail and sparkle without brittleness. 3. Bring Life to Ribbon Microphones
Air Band: 20 kHz or 40 kHz
Boost: +3 to +6 dB
Result: Restores top-end extension while preserving the ribbon’s smooth character. 4. Bigger Bass DI
Use the DI input.
Add a touch of 40 Hz EQ.
Result: Full, punchy low end with excellent articulation. 5. Enhance Drum Overheads
Air Band: 15 kHz or 20 kHz
Boost: +2 to +3 dB
Result: More cymbal detail, room ambience, and depth without excessive brightness.
Bonus Tip: Many engineers use the PREQ2 conservatively during tracking, often applying just 1–3 dB of Air Band®. Even subtle adjustments can add a remarkable sense of depth, dimension, and clarity while preserving the natural character of the performance and keeping tracks mix-ready.
