Well, so we have decided to update our
VELVET channel strip, as device which is pretty demanded, last year especially
(we were forced doing some VELVET in red color even, on customer demand, it was cool, LOL) stike
After four years of production we got many ideas for circuitry improvements. Firstly, the VELVET became now part of higher product line (integrating Mirror all balanced preamp, Summing mixer, Distortion box and our newest variable gain compressor VARIS).
Thus, VELVET has not PCB in signal path and utilize point-to-point internal wiring, assembled on metal chassis, like old and rare devices. This is not modern craze, just point-to-point wiring is most preferable for tube devices, as tube device has many high impendance chains pretty sensitive to cross-capacitance and leakage causing different artefacts.
However, it`s pretty heavy for assembling such device and this process take much time vs PCB based devices (in fact, it is possible to manufacture three "usual" devices while we manufacture one device with point-to-point device).
But... it is justified. So, pure hand crafted labor
As for circuit of new Velvet a big change have touched the output stage. Now, this stage became push-pull and pentode based, so VEVLET got 5 tubes now vs 4 in previous version.
Most suitable comparison is circuits of power amps, so sonically this sounds more powerful, we name this as "turbo", in fact this output can drive small speaker, so a lot of honest headroom and overloading capacitance in combination with nice sound signature.
As earlier, the device has two independent devices in fact - preamp section and leveler+EQ module, so you can use each independently and simultaneously, connect and feed your outboard devices to Velvet pre and leveler+EQ, or insert something between pre and leveler+EQ. Thus, direct pre output (as Insert send also) and direct input to leveler, for line level signal, also dual main output, all inputs and outputs are transformer balanced, of course. Amazing mic transformer from glorified
Cinemag makes its cool job.
And, the exterior is black now, with rectangular VU meter and mirroring overlay plate on front panel (in processing now) to match with look of Mirror pre and VARIS compressor.
So, enjoy with first pics of new
VELVET, (VELVET is upper, VARIS below)
