Heritage Audio TUBESTRIP: An Affordable Voxbox Clone?
A versatile tube-channel strip for recording and mixing.
The Heritage Audio TUBESTRIP is a complete tube-based channel strip designed for tracking vocals and instruments, as well as mixing applications.
So it’s a clone of the Manley Voxbox? Well, no, not exactly. While the TUBESTRIP also features a mic preamp, EQ, and two dynamics stages, each processing section has its own flavour, and the design approach is quite different.
Heritage Audio TUBESTRIP
Although it looks like a Pultec-style EQ, the TUBESTRIP has a 2-band inductor-based EQ inspired by the Helios Type 69 from Olympic Studios. Meanwhile, the mic preamp stage features a unique MORPH control which lets you dial in Triode warmth, Pentode attitude, or use the neutral UltraLinear setting.
Meanwhile, the first compressor in the chain is an Altec-style vari-mu compressor derived from the LANG P. Lane. This is great for bringing out the nuances in vocal performances, and it remains transparent even with heavy compression going on. What’s more, you can change the processing order to place the vari-mu compressor before or after the EQ for added flexibility.
Next, the optical compressor section is equally versatile, as it gives you that high-end CL 1B-style tube compression by default. However, it also has a de-esser with a variable frequency point for reducing sibilance or taming the cymbals on drum overheads. Throughout the entire TUBESTRIP circuit, there are four tubes, including NOS for the preamp and vari-mu stages, and JJ at the output.
There are also four custom transformers at the main I/O stages and the I/O of the vari-mu compressor. Overall, the TUBESTRIP offers great flexibility, with the ability to dial in varying degrees of vintage character or leave things ultra clean for a more modern sound. It’s likely to be as useful in home studios as it will be in a pro studio, especially as a stereo pair.
Pricing and Availability:
The Heritage Audio TUBESTRIP is currently available for pre-order, shipping in the coming months. Get it at Thomann.*
More about the Heritage Audio TUBESTRIP:
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