The Cranborne Audio Carnaby 500 is a single-slot 500 Series Harmonic EQ™ that combines three bands of analogue equalisation with frequency-dependent harmonic saturation. Unlike a conventional EQ that only changes level, Carnaby enriches boosted or cut frequency areas with controlled harmonic content—adding weight, density, excitement and character to individual tracks, buses and stereo mixes.
 
The Cranborne Audio Carnaby 500 is not a conventional 500 Series equalizer. Its unique Harmonic EQ™ circuit combines analogue equalisation with carefully tuned saturation, so that EQ moves alter both frequency balance and harmonic character. Instead of merely increasing or reducing the amplitude of a selected range, Carnaby introduces harmonics related to that frequency area. The result is an EQ that can make a source feel bigger, denser, brighter, warmer or more present while retaining a highly musical, hands-on workflow.
 
The three-band design comprises a low shelving band, a fixed-Q peaking mid band and a high shelving band. Each band offers continuously variable frequency selection and stepped boost/cut control, allowing fast, repeatable settings. The low and high bands cover broad shelving duties, while the mid band focuses on presence, tone, bite and body. All three bands deliver up to ±10 dB of control in normal operation, with their musical response becoming more pronounced as the settings and signal level are pushed.
 
The LO band ranges from 20 Hz to 420 Hz and uses a hard-clipping saturation character. It is especially effective for adding powerful low-frequency weight to kick drum, bass, drum machines, synth bass, piano and full mixes. With moderate settings, it can provide warmth and solidity; when driven harder, it can produce pronounced thickening and subharmonic-style density.
 
The MID band spans 200 Hz to 6.2 kHz and uses a fixed-Q peaking response. This range covers the area where many sources gain definition, punch, vocal presence, snare crack, guitar energy or mix-bus focus. Rather than making sources sound simply “EQ’d,” the saturated mid-band architecture can make selected frequencies feel more tactile and forward.
 
The HI band covers 5 kHz to 25 kHz and uses a smoother saturation response. It can add sheen, openness and presence to vocals, overheads, acoustic guitars, keyboards and full mixes. The high shelf is useful for enhancing air and detail, while the harmonic component helps keep top-end enhancement energetic and characterful rather than purely clinical.
 
Input and output trim controls each offer ±20 dB. This is a central part of the Carnaby workflow: lower input levels for a cleaner EQ response, or drive the input harder for denser harmonic saturation and more obvious character. Use the output trim to compensate for level changes and make honest A/B decisions. Individual LO, MID and HI LEDs show the relative saturation activity in each band, making it easier to see how hard the Harmonic EQ circuit is working.
 
For stereo use, two Carnaby 500 modules can be linked without patch cables when installed next to one another. Cranborne’s OptoSync technology wirelessly synchronizes the controls, while internal auto-calibration keeps both units accurately matched. A 3.5 mm TRS link input supports synchronization of non-adjacent Carnaby 500 modules, allowing flexible placement within a 500 Series chassis. In linked operation, settings on the left-hand master module are mirrored to the paired unit.
 
True-bypass switching lets you compare processed and unprocessed signal paths immediately. An internal DIP-switch option allows the bypass function to work either as a complete bypass or post-input-trim bypass, which is useful when driving the input stage for colour but comparing EQ moves independently. With its stepped controls, high headroom and single-slot format, the Carnaby 500 is equally at home as a character EQ on individual channels, an aggressive tone tool on drums and bass, or a stereo analogue enhancer when used as a matched pair.
 
Key features
Single-slot 500 Series analogue 3-band Harmonic EQ™
Combines conventional EQ moves with frequency-dependent harmonic saturation
LO and HI parametric shelving bands
MID parametric peaking band with fixed Q
Continuously variable frequency selection
Stepped front-panel boost/cut controls for quick recall
Up to ±10 dB boost/cut per band in standard operation
LO band: 20 Hz–420 Hz with hard-clipping saturation character
MID band: 200 Hz–6.2 kHz with fixed-Q saturated peak response
HI band: 5 kHz–25 kHz with smooth saturation character
±20 dB input trim for clean processing or dense saturation
±20 dB output trim for gain matching
Dedicated saturation LEDs for LO, MID and HI bands
OptoSync wireless stereo linking between adjacent Carnaby 500 modules
3.5 mm TRS connection for linking non-adjacent modules
Auto-calibration for accurately matched stereo operation
True-bypass IN/OUT switching
Internal choice of complete bypass or post-input-trim bypass
41-position detented front-panel controls
Designed and developed by Cranborne Audio in the UK
 
Applications
Adding low-end weight and harmonic density to kick drum and bass
Making vocals more present, tactile and forward
Enhancing snare attack, drum-bus punch and drum-machine character
Adding air and sheen to overheads, acoustic guitar and piano
Thickening synthesizers, keys and electronic production elements
Bringing energy and tonal focus to guitar, vocals and percussion
Using input drive for subtle warmth or bold saturation effects
Stereo mix-bus enhancement with two linked Carnaby 500 modules
Creating richer, more characterful EQ moves in a 500 Series rack
Combining corrective shaping with creative analogue tone processing