Concept
The Tube Vitalizer is the top model in the
Vitalizer product range and employs a symbiotic combination
of tubes, LC-filters, IC-technology, multiband compression
& Vitalizer-technology. The Tube Vitalizer is designed
for discerning applications in professional recording,
mastering and cutting. All effect intensities and potentiometer
values and characteristics are optimized for the refined
requirements mastering. The sound processing of the
Tube Vitalizer is split into two sections: On the left
hand you find the controls of the Vitalizer-circuitry
and the compressors. The right side features the tube
section, which can be used independently of the Vitalizer-section
as a high quality, low-noise tube-line preamp whenever
you just want to give your programme material the warmth
and smooth bottom-end of tubes.
Vitalizer
The Vitalizer section has extended functions
compared to all other Vitalizer models. With the Tube
Vitalizer you can now filter bass and high frequencies
using a choice of familiar RC-filters or the more interesting
and warmer sounding LC-filters! The sonic differences
are similar to those of tubes compared to semi-conductors
- sometimes even more dramatic. LC filters can saturate
in a similar way to tubes, producing a harmonic structure
that is pleasant to the ear. When activating the LC-Filter
switch, a passive LC network is integrated into the
active filter path. Adding the LC to the Bass processing
results in a subjectively more powerful sound with a
greater sustain. The LC-Filter not only affects the
Bass section of the Vitalizer though, but also the mid-damping
behaviour of the Hi-Mid Tune so that low-mid frequencies
in particular benefit from adding the LC-Filter. The
sound acquires more punch and directness. An LC-Filter
can also be added to the high frequency filtering, resulting
in more presence and more penetration in the mid-range,
which is ideal for vocals. In mastering the LC-Filters
add a new tonal dimension to your sound processing which
can not be simulated by any other means.
The second innovation in the Tube Vitalizer design is
the inclusion of two compressors, one integrated into
the bass filtering and the other into the high filtering.
These compressors control the levels of bass and high
frequencies and may also be used to compensate for level
changes due to filtering. Alternatively, they can also
be used as sound shaping devices. Based around the highly
acclaimed THAT 4301 semi-conductor gain cell, the compressors
feature very low noise and distortion. They operate
with a soft-knee characteristic to provide the most
unobtrusive performance, while the Attack, Release and
Threshold are pre-programmed, taking into account the
characteristics of the filtering circuitry they are
used in. The compressors are highly automated requiring
just one control knob for each bass and high frequency
compressor. Blue Gain Reduction LEDs indicating that
gain reduction is taking place. When mastering to DAT
or other digital media, it is imperative to exploit
as much of the available headroom. Here the compressors
are very effective in pre-controlling the operating
levels, thus relieving the mastering dynamics processor.
Ê Other speciality components include the single-op-amps
throughout to minimize cross-talk and distortion as
well as noise. All capacitors used in filtering are
switched in parallel to minimize the effect of component
tolerances when sweeping through the stereo-coupled
filters.
Tube Stage
The Vitalizer section has extended functions compared
to all other Vitalizer models. With the Tube Vitalizer
you can now filter bass and high frequencies using a
choice of familiar RC-filters or the more interesting
and warmer sounding LC-filters! The sonic differences
are similar to those of tubes compared to semi-conductors
- sometimes even more dramatic. LC filters can saturate
in a similar way to tubes, producing a harmonic structure
that is pleasant to the ear. When activating the LC-Filter
switch, a passive LC network is integrated into the
active filter path. Adding the LC to the Bass processing
results in a subjectively more powerful sound with a
greater sustain. The LC-Filter not only affects the
Bass section of the Vitalizer though, but also the mid-damping
behaviour of the Hi-Mid Tune so that low-mid frequencies
in particular benefit from adding the LC-Filter. The
sound acquires more punch and directness. An LC-Filter
can also be added to the high frequency filtering, resulting
in more presence and more penetration in the mid-range,
which is ideal for vocals. In mastering the LC-Filters
add a new tonal dimension to your sound processing which
can not be simulated by any other means.
The second innovation in the Tube Vitalizer design is
the inclusion of two compressors, one integrated into
the bass filtering and the other into the high filtering.
These compressors control the levels of bass and high
frequencies and may also be used to compensate for level
changes due to filtering. Alternatively, they can also
be used as sound shaping devices. Based around the highly
acclaimed THAT 4301 semi-conductor gain cell, the compressors
feature very low noise and distortion. They operate
with a soft-knee characteristic to provide the most
unobtrusive performance, while the Attack, Release and
Threshold are pre-programmed, taking into account the
characteristics of the filtering circuitry they are
used in. The compressors are highly automated requiring
just one control knob for each bass and high frequency
compressor. Blue Gain Reduction LEDs indicating that
gain reduction is taking place. When mastering to DAT
or other digital media, it is imperative to exploit
as much of the available headroom. Here the compressors
are very effective in pre-controlling the operating
levels, thus relieving the mastering dynamics processor.
Other speciality components include the single-op-amps
throughout to minimize cross-talk and distortion as
well as noise. All capacitors used in filtering are
switched in parallel to minimize the effect of component
tolerances when sweeping through the stereo-coupled
filters.
Other Highlights
The TUBE VITALIZER is built using the finest components.
High quality ALPS potentiometers combine reliability
with an excellent tactile response, and the mechanism
has enough resistance to make unintentional movement
unlikely. Stylish and practical VU meters show either
input or output levels, making it easy to compare levels
when extensive filtering is required. The TUBE VITALIZER
is equipped with both XLRs & stereo jacks for balanced
operation. We use the new SSM precision input &
output stages which feature laser-trimmed resistors,
providing a common mode rejection of better than 87
dB. Mono-jacks may be used for unbalanced operation
without level change!
