Streaky Reviews the Vari Tube Compressor (Video)
- 21.08.2018
- Victor Weiss
- VTC
- Review
The Video: Streaky on the Vari Tube Compressor
This time UK based Mastering Engineer Streaky reviews our Vari Tube Compressor. In familiar and beloved Streaky style, he tells us what he likes about the VTC.
Enjoy:
What the Vari Tube Compressor Is
The Vari Tube Compressor (VTC) is our vari-mu tube compressor for mastering, the mix bus and subgroups – a complete tube signal path built on the same principle as the Fairchild 670. Per channel the signal passes through three transformers and four triodes: the tubes add harmonics the ear finds pleasant, and the transformers deliver a gentle saturation before the signal even reaches the compression. Compression sets in very softly and only grabs harder as the input level rises; a low-cut in the side chain keeps low frequencies out of the control circuit, so a mix bus can be densified by up to 6 dB of gain reduction without audible pumping. Operation stays simple: turn up the input until the music is densified enough, set the timing with attack and release, adjust the output level. All controls have 42 detents, and the two channels run linked as a stereo pair or – link switch off – independently as two mono channels. Since 2023 there is also a Color/Comp switch that takes the compression out entirely and lets only the tubes and transformers work on the signal.
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Learn more about the Vari Tube Compressor
Related: Zeitgeist Mastering: VTC and EQP-1 Video Review · Tubes of Glue: Everything Recording on the VTC · New VTC: Color/Comp Switch for Pure Tube Color
