Amazona.de on the VTRC V2: Channel Strip Superhero
- 06.07.2015
- Michael Krusch
- Review
- VTRC
Here you can find the complete review:
https://www.amazona.de/test-tegeler-audio-vtrc-v2-recording-channel/ (German original)
https://www.amazona.de/test-tegeler-audio-manufaktur-vari-tube-recording-channel/ (English translation)
What Amazona.de Writes About the VTRC V2
Under the title "Recording Channel Superhero", Amazona.de reviewed the revised version of the VTRC in July 2015 – new front panel, optimized components for a better signal-to-noise ratio, adjusted EQ frequencies, delivered in the wooden box:
"Even with gain at 0 it is clear that the VTRC is no neutral fellow; transformer and tube are clearly audible in the sound and provide an assertive tone with beautifully drawn, silky highs and striking mids." – Amazona.de editorial team, Amazona.de, July 2015 (translated)
"The channel strip's EQ is a great tool that invites experimentation." – Amazona.de editorial team, Amazona.de, July 2015 (translated)
"Using both compressor stages together is very surprising – here the best of both worlds really comes together; at low compression amounts, my favorite." – Amazona.de editorial team, Amazona.de, July 2015 (translated)
The review describes the opto compressor as unobtrusive and "creamy", the vari-tube compressor as grippier and more mid-forward – and praises the trick of placing the EQ in the side chain to compress a kick drum frequency-dependently and make it leaner. The author's verdict: "With a tear in my eye, it unfortunately has to leave my studio again."
What the Vari Tube Recording Channel Is
The Vari Tube Recording Channel (VTRC) is our tube channel strip: microphone preamp, passive equalizer and compressor in one 3U unit. The preamp – with input transformer, true 48 V phantom power and a high-impedance instrument input – can be shifted in character from clean and direct to fat and vintage via the gain control. The passive Pultec-style EQ offers a low-cut (80/160 Hz), a low-mid boost, a mid cut and a high boost up to 24 kHz. The two compressors – an opto compressor with a light-sensitive resistor and a vari-tube compressor built on the vari-mu principle – can be used individually or together; the order of EQ and compressor is switchable, the EQ can be placed in the compressor's side chain, and a line input with its own transformer lets you process already recorded tracks after the fact. Two VTRCs can be linked for stereo. The review of the first version from 2012 is in "Amazona.de Reviews the Vari Tube Recording Channel".
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Related: Amazona.de Reviews the Vari Tube Recording Channel · Jake Roeder: VTRC, "Best Strip I've Ever Used" · Lauren Passarelli Interview: Berklee and the VTRC
