Shure: Audio Equalizer SR-107 Series

Microphone selection and placement can provide a huge range of equalization options, and combining two mics to produce phase cancellation introduces even more possibilities but electronic devices can shape timbre in very different ways than acoustic physics. The 10 bands of the SR-107 provide a lot of flexibility, even without parametric controls. It introduces interesting tonal changes, but unfortunately (for most applications) audibly boosts the signal's noise floor slightly. It has both XLR and 1/4" ins and outs and can function at both line and microphone levels. The short rack-mount unit has odd round knobs that are easy to read but slightly awkward to adjust. It typically sells used for around $60, and provides significant flexibility in shaping a sound's timbre.