moosers
Published on 05/02/10 at 14:46
The Vintech Audio 609 CA is a stereo compressor/limiter that is mostly based on the Neve 33609 compressor/limiter. This is the only dynamic processor that I've seen or used made by Vintech, as they most reissue Neve preamps. The 609 CA is made up of Class A analog components, and does require power from an external power supply that isn't included. It is rack mountable and will take up two spaces in a traditional casing.
UTILIZATION
Even if you're not familiar with the 33609, the Vintech Audio 609 CA is pretty easy to use granted you know a thing or two about compressor/limiters, so let's assume that you've used other compressors out there before you're using a big guy like the 609 CA. Each of the two channels is broken up into a section for the compressor and a section for the limiter. The limiter has parameters for threshold, attack, and recovery, while the compressor has the same parameters as a limiter but also adds those for gain and ratio. There has it's own in/out switch, and on the right side of the unit, there are switches for bypass and compress for each for the channels as well as metering for gain reduction and a stereo switch. A manual isn't a necessity as far as I'm concerned with the 609 CA.
SOUND QUALITY
Having used the original Neve 33609, I think it's safe to say that Vintech Audio has done a top notch job with the 609 CA. While this isn't a direct copy of the 33609, it does have a similar essence although it isn't a tone for tone direct copy. It can certainly be used for almost any application out there where you want some compression or limiting, but I've only used it for vocals, a stereo electric guitar send, and for mono kick and snare drum tracks. While my use with the 609 CA may be limited to this, I do believe that it is versatile enough to be used across the board.
OVERALL OPINION
You're definitely going to pay a whole ton of money for the Vintech Audio 609 CA, but if you're looking for a classic sound that will get the job done more than adequately day in and day out, looking no further than this special compressor/limiter. This isn't going to cost nearly as much as a real Neve compressor/limiter would cost in a new condition, so in this sense it's great to have a company like Vintech Audio out there to help share this sound with more people. Those in the market for a top tier stereo compressor/limiter, regardless of if you're looking for something like the 33609, should check out the Vintech 609 CA.
UTILIZATION
Even if you're not familiar with the 33609, the Vintech Audio 609 CA is pretty easy to use granted you know a thing or two about compressor/limiters, so let's assume that you've used other compressors out there before you're using a big guy like the 609 CA. Each of the two channels is broken up into a section for the compressor and a section for the limiter. The limiter has parameters for threshold, attack, and recovery, while the compressor has the same parameters as a limiter but also adds those for gain and ratio. There has it's own in/out switch, and on the right side of the unit, there are switches for bypass and compress for each for the channels as well as metering for gain reduction and a stereo switch. A manual isn't a necessity as far as I'm concerned with the 609 CA.
SOUND QUALITY
Having used the original Neve 33609, I think it's safe to say that Vintech Audio has done a top notch job with the 609 CA. While this isn't a direct copy of the 33609, it does have a similar essence although it isn't a tone for tone direct copy. It can certainly be used for almost any application out there where you want some compression or limiting, but I've only used it for vocals, a stereo electric guitar send, and for mono kick and snare drum tracks. While my use with the 609 CA may be limited to this, I do believe that it is versatile enough to be used across the board.
OVERALL OPINION
You're definitely going to pay a whole ton of money for the Vintech Audio 609 CA, but if you're looking for a classic sound that will get the job done more than adequately day in and day out, looking no further than this special compressor/limiter. This isn't going to cost nearly as much as a real Neve compressor/limiter would cost in a new condition, so in this sense it's great to have a company like Vintech Audio out there to help share this sound with more people. Those in the market for a top tier stereo compressor/limiter, regardless of if you're looking for something like the 33609, should check out the Vintech 609 CA.