Allen & Heath VF1

1 rack unit all metal. Knobs on the moog. Metal facade switches.
The switch is on the rear 12/24dB anything ...
No on / off button. Too bad.

3 Filters (LP, BP, HP) stéréo/24 dB 12dB analog mono.
The ability to enable different filters simultaneously allows for a total of seven types of filters:
LP, BP, HP, LP + LP, LP + HP (notch), BP + HP, LP + HP + BP (allpass)

A tube overdrive. Warning, this is not a gadget.

A lfo no surprise (the cutoff modulation only). Extreme parameters would have been welcome. Other waveforms and MIDI sync, too. It says it is still very usable, and then an adjustment to the ear from time to time is not bad in these times of excessive automation. Since it is also possible to automate PM: cutoff, resonance and filter type can easily go beyond the lfo. Therefore not blocking.

An envelope follower (modulation of the cutoff or overdrive), which responds well.

UTILIZATION

Handling very simple. No need to book.

SOUND QUALITY

All adjustments to the mini, 24dB lowpass switched on, cutoff bottom right: I do not notice any difference filter turned on or off -> very accurate.
With a bit of resonance and by moving the cutoff: the slope is difficult, and 24dB are there in the end a great big laughs that not scanning -> you are away from emulation.

You push the resonance: the beach surrounding the cutoff is beautifully enhanced with astonishing precision.
The high pass and band pass does not disappoint either. The sound is always clear and precise without being aggressive.
In 12dB against by the resonance is too nice. I wish I had more bite.

The allpass is very useful for coloring a track a bit dull. It renders a warm or bright depending on the setting of resolu.
Note also that the notch sweep the cutoff generates a slight phasing greatly appreciated.

Finally the tube overdrive is simply excellent. It adds the famous harmonic pairs specific lights without adding any hiss or breath.
At low levels it acts as simple and convenient small compressor.
A high level clipping can generate distorted sounds and very péchûs. Please note that the headroom is pretty impressive.
The overdrive coupled has important bearings will output a sound that can quickly become very very fat.

OVERALL OPINION

In short: big sound, true or creative depending on the settings.