Focusrite VoiceMaster Platinium

Transistor preamp has a dedicated voice

A complete class preamp section (line / mic / instrument, adjustable low cut, 48v, attenuator, inverter)
expander
saturation
compressor
eq
De-Esser
output gain

UTILIZATION

This is where it is gated.

This rack looks to be studied for a singer wanting to adjust his voice on stage. Result, although very complete, it is enough to settle galley.

It lacks a ratio to the compressor (there is only one switch "hard ratio") and the attack has only switch also, against the release is adjustable. I would have preferred a good adjustable ratio and attack / release automatically as the dbx 160, and the singer on stage too. By setting against "trebble" helps restore the presence of compressed audio, it's not bad ...


Similarly the eq does not comprte low / mid / high but wamth / presence / breath, with a switch called "absence"

Warmth is a semi-parametric adjustable from 120 to 600 htz
presence is a medium around 1.5kHz
Breath plays around 10 khz
absence is a notch (rejector) to 4kHz

well it is less effective than eq classic console for who knows what he wants.


essing by the cons of music and is quite effective

SOUND QUALITY

The preamp is transparent, clean, he has single-handedly justifies the purchase of the rack. The adjustable low cut is very very practical.

No opinion on the expander, I do not serve

saturation, arf, not top, this can be used from time to time without too much abuse, but it's not really pretty. I used to give a voice to a rock singer on a piece of his set.

The compressor is quite musical, but it is very frustrating not having a ratio. it may be sufficient or not ...

Ditto for the eq, it can work, but I happen to finish the job with the eq on the console to work goshawks of 3 or 4 kHz for example. also frustrating

Finally, the de esser is nickel

I put 8 anyway by what the preamp sounds great though.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since 2006,
I served for recording a trumpet and vocals, and also live for the same trumpet and vocals too.

I have not tried other rack preamp-Swiss Army knives, but very good preamps on consoles (amek, schlumberger, midas, neve ...), compressors, eq ....

What I love most is the very good preamp. it was worth any preamp in the same price range, while offering many tools and more.

What I like least is that the tools in question (especially the compressor and equalize) are frustrating enough, the fault of the technical choices questionable.

The quality / price ratio in secondhand € 150 or less is good enough, probably the preamp sounds better than the DBX LA or audio or presonus, the eq and comp probably a little worse.