VPRE-562A

Name: VPRE-562A
Price: 69 USD
Author: Fuse Audio Labs

by Fuse Audio Labs · Saturation · 1960s tube amplifier emulation

Not rated yet

VPRE-562A emulates an early-1960s low-wattage tube PA amplifier that became popular with UK bass and guitar players.

It models the EF86 gain stage, ECC82 phase splitter, push-pull 6L6 output stage and passive tonestack, for $69.

Best for: Bass, Guitars, Vocals, Drums, Keys & Synths. Genres: Rock & Indie, Lo-Fi, R&B & Soul.

Keywords: tube, 60s, bass, electric guitar, hardware emulation, gritty, drums, vocals, vintage, clean, overdrive, transformer, aggressive, deep, experimental, heavy, lo-fi, mixing, single-band, vinyl.

What it does

VPRE-562A is Fuse Audio Labs' model of "a tube based low wattage amplifier from the early 60s." The original was built as a PA amplifier, but UK bands took it up for bass and guitar, and the plugin keeps that dual role: clean tone shaping at low gain, vintage overdrive when pushed.

Gain stage and phase splitter: a Mullard EF86 pentode gain stage feeding an ECC82 phase splitter, as in the original circuit.
Power stage: two 6L6 pentodes running in push-pull, which is where most of the grit comes from when you drive it.
Transformers: custom modeling of the input and output transformers, adding to the colour even at clean settings.
Tonestack: a passive tone network with rolling shelf filters for the low and high end, which Fuse describes as unconventional rather than a standard bass/treble pair.
Mic/Aux selector: choose the buffered microphone input or the auxiliary turntable input of the original; each changes the gain structure and harmonics.
Pre/PA switch: run the circuit as a preamp only or through the high-gain PA stage, for gentler colour or heavier distortion.

Source: Fuse Audio Labs product page

When to use it

VPRE-562A is a single-circuit tube amp model, so it suits you when you want the specific sound of a small early-60s amplifier rather than a menu of saturation types. Compared with Soundtoys Decapitator, it has far fewer flavours, but its Mic/Aux and Pre/PA switches still cover a range from warm colour to raw overdrive. Unlike Klanghelm IVGI, a subtle mix-bus saturator, it is built to be heard on individual tracks. Next to the Black Box Analog Design HG-2 it is more of a character effect for single sources than a tone box for the whole mix.

Best for: tube grit and tone shaping on bass, guitars, vocals and drums, either on its own or in front of an amp simulator.
Genres: rock, indie, soul, garage and lo-fi.
Look elsewhere if: you need a full guitar amp with cabinet simulation, or many saturation styles in one plugin; Decapitator or FabFilter Saturn 2 cover more ground.

What producers say

Users who have reviewed it are very positive, though there is little in-depth press coverage.

Plugin Boutique users rate it 4.9 out of 5 from 58 ratings, saying it adds "beautiful vintage vibes" both on its own and alongside amp simulations.
KVR users give it 5 out of 5 from one review, praising the vintage grit that still keeps high-frequency detail and the detailed circuit simulation.

Where to buy

Fuse Audio Labs: $69

Tutorials and reviews

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