21st Century Tube Compressor
Heritage Audio announces availability of Tubesessor.
18 November 2022
Perfectly encapsulating its philosophy of making legendary sound possible in today’s studios, Heritage Audio is proud to announce availability of the Tubesessor. This is the European pro audio manufacturer’s take on an optical tube compressor that specialises in recording delicate, critical signals where it is essential to retain all the individual character and emotion while offering natural, transparent control. As a new design it vastly increases headroom and improves clarity while also allowing access to a whole new range of sound and textures.
A classic optical tube compressor is still a prized possession, but the questionable state of original units makes the Tubesessor a viable alternative. As a unique design manufactured in the EU with custom input and output transformers, its NOS tubes operate at a high internal voltage to ensure a clarity, depth, and headroom.
Tubesessor’s all-new Tube Saturation section has four settings; Classic (no saturation), through to more modern sounds of Mild, Medium, and Hot. The creamy-sounding NOS Raytheon double triode tube works in tandem with the custom output transformer to produce the right harmonic content. Heritage Audio has included its notable SC Filter section to widen the scope of control further still. The first two (80, 160) of the five internal settings ensure that the compressor is not being unduly overpowered by lower frequencies while the next three (1K, 3K, 5K) are frequency-specific.
Continuously adjustable Attack and Release controls are available when the Attack/Release Select mode is set to Manual — or in combination with Fixed settings when set to Fix/Manual — making it possible for users to musically mould the signal to suit. A large VU meter clearly displays the monitoring of either In (input), GR (gain reduction), and Out (output) to ensure that users are always informed with a clear reading of exactly what is happening.
The front panel also houses controls for Gain (up to +30 dB of makeup gain); Ratio (continuously variable from 2:1 to 10:1); Link (stereo operation); and Bypass (true bypass of the circuitry). The Tubesessor’s rear panel allows easy access to the valves; the NOS Raytheon CK5755 (double triode), and the audiophile-grade Psvane 12BH7A (double triode).
The Tubesessor is now available through Heritage Audio’s global dealers for US$2499 / EU2999.
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