Perfectly encapsulating its philosophy of making legendary sound possible in today’s studios, Heritage Audio is proud to announce availability of the Tubesessor. This is the European pro audio manufacturer’s take on an optical tube compressor that specialises in recording delicate, critical signals where it is essential to retain all the individual character and emotion while offering natural, transparent control. As a new design it vastly increases headroom and improves clarity while also allowing access to a whole new range of sound and textures.

A classic optical tube compressor is still a prized possession, but the questionable state of original units makes the Tubesessor a viable alternative. As a unique design manufactured in the EU with custom input and output transformers, its NOS tubes operate at a high internal voltage to ensure a clarity, depth, and headroom.

Tubesessor’s all-new Tube Saturation section has four settings; Classic (no saturation), through to more modern sounds of Mild, Medium, and Hot. The creamy-sounding NOS Raytheon double triode tube works in tandem with the custom output transformer to produce the right harmonic content. Heritage Audio has included its notable SC Filter section to widen the scope of control further still. The first two (80, 160) of the five internal settings ensure that the compressor is not being unduly overpowered by lower frequencies while the next three (1K, 3K, 5K) are frequency-specific. 

Continuously adjustable Attack and Release controls are available when the Attack/Release Select mode is set to Manual — or in combination with Fixed settings when set to Fix/Manual — making it possible for users to musically mould the signal to suit. A large VU meter clearly displays the monitoring of either In (input), GR (gain reduction), and Out (output) to ensure that users are always informed with a clear reading of exactly what is happening. 

The front panel also houses controls for Gain (up to +30 dB of makeup gain); Ratio (continuously variable from 2:1 to 10:1); Link (stereo operation); and Bypass (true bypass of the circuitry). The Tubesessor’s rear panel allows easy access to the valves; the NOS Raytheon CK5755 (double triode), and the audiophile-grade Psvane 12BH7A (double triode).

The Tubesessor is now available through Heritage Audio’s global dealers for US$2499 / EU2999.

SPL’s BiG expands the series 500 product portfolio with a double-slot module for stereo stage processing. BiG enlarges the stereo image in a new manner and opens up new creative ways of sound shaping. 

Intuitive with just three controls:

• Range Control selects the frequency range to be processed
• Stage Control moves the frequency range backwards and forwards on the stereo stage
• BIGNESS Control adjusts the intensity of the processing

Another highlight is the BASS function, which users may already know from the SPL IRON Mastering Compressor. This bass boost is created by a passive filter, which is implemented in a similar circuit to the AirBass function of the IRON. BiG was also developed not only according to plan, but also by ear. All components are installed on the circuit boards using through-hole technology, so that the best-sounding components can be used. 

As with all SPL devices, BiG is manufactured in the company’s own production facility in Niederkrüchten on the Lower Rhine, Germany.

The team at Hotone believe that upgrade is more than a seven-letter word. It embodies the continuation and evolution beneath the surface and embraces revolution and creativity outside the box.

It’s what Hotone Ampero II Stomp does.

Throughout years of relentless work to establish its core technologies from empirical practice, the Hotone team presents this soul partner for your sophisticated taste in tone.

Powered by a superior performance tri-core platform and a Hi-Fi grade ESS Sabre AD/DA, the Ampero II Stomp pushes the highly praised Ampero sound to a new level, delivering a more detailed, organic sound with richer tonal dimensions. A highly customisable dual-effect chain and more advanced functions will guarantee more joy and fun. The pedal board-friendly design also makes it great for pedal maniacs.

Features include:

• Second Generation amp modeller and effects processor with a pedalboard-friendly case
• Enhanced Ampero sound quality brought by the more powerful tri-core DSP platform and ESS Sabre AD/DA
• Evolved CDCM HD and F.I.R.E. modelling system ensures tonal expressiveness and realistic playing experience
• Perfectly fits any pedalboard matrix when used as an effect pedal
• 24-bit signal processing, up to 127dB dynamic range
• 4-inch 800 x 480 dynamic touchscreen and newly designed UI for more intuitive control Highly customisable DUAL effect chain with multiple serial/parallel signal routing support
• Add ANY effect module you like to the effect chain
• Stereo I/O jacks and stereo FX Loop jacks for further routing/tonal possibilities
• Up to 12 simultaneous effect modules
• Upgraded effects library delivers 400+ effects
• CDCM HD and F.I.R.E. modeling effects including: 87 amp models, 68 cab models, more precise cabinet-mic algorithm based on realistic studio recording data, new preamp models, independent power amp simulation, 100+ legendary pedal models
• 60+ Hotone original effects (incl. high quality drive/dynamic/filter/mod/delay/reverb models and more)
• Dedicated IR loader module with 3rd party IR support, up to 50 custom IR slots
• 20 classic Celestion speaker IRs included – Powered by Celestion Digital
• Supports up to 2048 IR sampling points for better tonal resolution
• USB port for firmware upgrading, loading/editing/managing effects/IRs via free Mac/PC software or for use as an USB audio interface
• 8-in/8-out USB audio interface
• Supporting Reamp function
• Ampero-style acoustic effects and presets
• Ampero-style input mode selections
• 300 presets (100 banks x 3 patches)
• Built-in stereo looper with maximum 60 seconds recording time and undo/redo function 3 assignable footswitches with halo LEDs
• Authentic stereo processing
• MIDI I/O jacks and EXP/CTRL jack for expanded controls
• Customisable main display modes and theme colours
• Road-ready, light-weight aluminium casing
• 9-18V DC power supply

Kemper announces availability of the approved Operating System Version 8.6 for the KEMPER PROFILER Guitar amp and FX System.

PROFILER OS 8.6 adds a new FX device to the roster with the KEMPER Double Tracker which turns mono signals into a stereo double-tracked signal in real-time as if two guitarists were playing the same track left and right.

While most double trackers use traditional means of chorus and delay to create timing and pitch differences between the tracks, KEMPER utilises a dedicated time-stretching algorithm to create the crucial timing variations, independent of the pitch fluctuations. A little pinch of random timbre variance complements the perfect double tracker experience. As a novelty, KEMPER has added the “super-stereo” effect that has been initially introduced with the new delay algorithms in PROFILER OS version 5.0. already. It tremendously widens the stereo panorama of the double-tracking and lets the tracks appear well outside the regular stereo image.

The Double Tracker is best enjoyed in spread stereo, as it is usually utilised in professional recording mixes. Therefore, KEMPER recommends placing the Double Tracker in a module post the stack section.

The straight forward Double Tracker parameters are:

• Looseness – Sets the tightness or looseness of the double tracking timing.
• Detune – Adds a slight additional detuning to the two tracks, in the fashion of an Air Chorus. The Detune is just an option and not crucial for perfect double tracking. Leave it at zero if not desired.
• Stereo – Controls the stereo width of the double tracking. Plus or minus 100% is regular stereo. Higher values establish the super stereo effect.

Universal Audio introduces UAFX, the company’s first line of effects pedals, featuring sonically authentic emulations of classic reverb, delay, and modulation circuits.

The results of a multi-year R&D effort, UAFX Golden Reverberator, Starlight Echo Station, and Astra Modulation Machine bring powerful dual-processor architecture to the effects pedal market, delivering three distinct vintage sounds per pedal, with impeccable UA analog design and build quality.

Hallmark UAFX features include intuitive Preset/Live modes, analog dry-through, stereo/dual mono operation, true bypass with silent switching, additional downloadable effects from the acclaimed UAD algorithm team, and more.

UAFX pedals will be available in Spring 2021 with an estimated street price of $399 each.

Golden Reverberator

From the dense sound of 1950’s studio plates, to tube-driven spring reverb of classic 1960’s guitar amps, and endless algorithmic wonder of vintage digital reverbs, Golden Reverberator packs decades of iconic reverb sounds into a beautifully-crafted stompbox. Spring 65, Plate 140, and Hall 224 effects, each with available modulation, offer an essential palette of vintage reverb textures.

Starlight Echo Station

Borrowing from UA’s expertise in analog emulation, Starlight Echo Station offers the finest classic delay effects; captured in a stompbox. Featuring three delay types — Tape EP-III, Analog DMM, and Precision — capturing iconic hardware of the past 60 years, Starlight offers additional settings for tape wear, modulation, and preamp colour for endless inspiring tones.

Astra Modulation Machine

Astra Modulation Machine is a complete sonic workstation. From spacey studio flanger tones of the 1970’s, to gritty bucket-brigade chorus, and luscious opto tube tremolo, Astra puts three perfectly-emulated modulation sounds at your feet. Chorus Brigade, Flanger DBLR, and Trem 65 settings — with secondary modes for Vibrato, Doubling, and more — combine for an abundance of tasteful tweaking.

UAFX Pedals — Key Features:

• Landmark reverb, delay, and modulation pedals featuring powerful dual-processor UAFX engine with sonic authenticity beyond all other stompboxes
• Simple Live and Preset modes for instant recall of your favourite sound
• Additional downloadable effects by the world-renowned UAD algorithm team
• True or buffered bypass with trails (Golden, Starlight), silent switching
• Analog dry through (Golden, Starlight), stereo/dual mono operation
• Classic UA analog design and robust craftsmanship, built to last decades