GYRATEC X

Name: GYRATEC X
Price: 169 USD
Author: Antelope Audio

by Antelope Audio · Compressor · Vari-mu tube compressor

Not rated yet

GYRATEC X recreates Gyraf Audio's early-2000s stereo vari-mu tube compressor, made for smooth control of the low end.

It is an all-tube, Class-A, no-feedback design that responds faster than optical compressors, for $169.

Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Bass, Drum Bus. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: vari-mu, tube, bus processing, full mix, mastering, mix bus, glue, bass, smooth, clean, heavy, drum bus, drums, keys, mixing, single-band, subscription, Y2K.

What it does

GYRATEC X is Antelope Audio's model of the Gyraf Audio Gyratec X, a stereo vari-mu tube compressor made with Gyraf's involvement. Antelope says the hardware is known for its speed and uses technology from early limiters such as the Fairchild 670, with "hard compression of the low end without dirtying the sound."

All-tube vari-mu: gain reduction comes from the tubes themselves, for smooth, program-dependent compression.
Faster than opto: responds quicker than electro-optical compressors, per the developer.
High-pass filtering: smooth high-pass filtering lets you compress the low end hard while keeping it clean.
Clean topology: a no-feedback signal path in pure Class A, modeled from the original.
Stereo design: built for stereo buses and full mixes as well as single tracks.
Synergy Core: Antelope says it was the first to offer this unit on Synergy Core.

Version 1.0.1 needs no Antelope hardware. It is also part of the Antelope Cosmos subscription (75+ plugins), which has a free trial. A KVR user notes it comes with no presets.

Source: Antelope Audio product page

When to use it

GYRATEC X is a stereo vari-mu for smooth, warm bus and mastering compression, especially when the low end needs holding together. Compared with MJUC, which offers three vari-mu models at a much lower price, it models one specific Gyraf unit and, per a KVR user, ships without presets. It is slower and rounder than the VCA-style SSL G-Master Buss Compressor and The Glue, so it suits glue more than punch. Against the Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection it is a stereo bus tool rather than an opto leveler for single tracks.

Best for: mix bus and mastering glue, holding a bass-heavy mix together, and stereo drum or keys buses.
Genres: any, especially hip-hop, electronic and pop mixes with heavy low end.
Look elsewhere if: you want punch or fast transient control (The Glue or SSL G-Master Buss Compressor), or a cheaper vari-mu with several models (MJUC).

What producers say

There is very little user feedback so far; the one KVR review is negative, and only about presets.

KVR users: 1 out of 5 from a single review (version 1.0.1 on Windows).
Criticisms: the reviewer said it has "NO presets at all", which makes it harder for beginners to start.

KVR user reviews

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

Gyratec X | Gyraf Audio Compressor Recreation | Real-time Effect (Antelope Audio)

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