PMT Audio
D.W. Fearn VT-7

D.W. Fearn

VT-7

Compressor

From D.W. Fearn:

Ideal for tracking, mixing and mastering, the VT-7 features an all Class-A vacuum tube audio path, like all D.W. Fearn products. The gain reduction elements utilize circuitry that duplicates the sound and characteristics of the finest classic vacuum tube compressors, without depending on esoteric tubes that are no longer manufactured, while the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control circuitry is modern solid-state analog.

Designed to deliver a highly transparent sound, the VT-7 can be used more aggressively if desired, with artifacts of the compression process substantially diminished when compared to most other compressors.

In use, the two channels may be used independently or linked for stereo, while a third position on the Link switch inserts a high-pass filter (HPF) in the side-chain to reduce the gain-reduction sensitivity of the VT-7 to low frequencies. This is a gentle roll-off, nominally at 100Hz, allowing a bass-heavy mix to have a better frequency balance and avoids heavy low-frequency audio from modulating the audio level.

Specs

Type
Stereo/dual mono vacuum tube mastering/mix bus compressor
Input
600 ohm source (nominal) balanced or unbalanced
Input load impedance
32k ohms, transformer balanced bridging
Nominal input level
+4 dBm
Maximum input level @ 20 cps
+25 dBm
Gain
unity to +15dB
Frequency response
± 0.2 dB 20 cps to 20 kc, ± 0.5 dB 11 cps to 28 kc, -3 dB @ 0.5 cps & 65 kc
THD + Noise
<0.05% 20 cps to 20 kc
Signal to noise ratio
78 dB minimum
Output
low-Z, transformer balanced
Output source impedance
115 ohms
Maximum output level
+22 dBm into bridging input balanced or unbalanced
Gain reduction range
0 to 20dB
Controls
Threshold, Gain, Attack, Release, Harder/Softer
Operation
Selectable Stereo/Dual Mono
Sidechain
High Pass Filter on switchable Sidechain
Power requirements
115 or 230 VAC 50/60Hz, 85 W
Dimensions
19" (48.5 cm) W 5.25" (13.5 cm) H 13" (23 cm) D
Weight
22 lbs (9.55 kg)

Source: D.W. Fearn VT-7 product page