Sound Techniques Alpha Range Channel

Name: Sound Techniques Alpha Range Channel
Author: Korneff Audio

by Korneff Audio · Channel Strip · Sound Techniques A-Range console channel

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Sound Techniques Alpha Range Channel by Korneff Audio

A component-level model of a channel from the rare Sound Techniques A-Range console, used on many late-60s and early-70s records.

It has a saturating preamp, a two-band inductor EQ, the ElektraComp VCA compressor and summing, on sale for $64.99 (regular $129.99).

Best for: Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Bass, Mix Bus, Keys & Synths. Genres: Rock & Indie, Pop, R&B & Soul.

Keywords: 70s, hardware emulation, 60s, VCA, vintage, bass, British console, component-modelled, drums, vocals, built-in analyzer, electric guitar, free, metering, transformer, visual feedback, bus processing, circuit-modelled, full mix, glassy, mix bus, mixing, parallel processing, punchy, utility, warm, wide.

What it does

The Alpha Range Channel is Korneff Audio's component-level model of one channel of the Sound Techniques A-Range, a console of which only 14 were built between 1965 and 1975 for studios such as Trident, Sunset Sound and De Lane Lea. Korneff aims for the desk's "low end, the punch, the present midrange and glassy highs".

Preamp: polarity, mic/line switch, input transformer impedance for tone shaping, and mic preamp gain that drives into saturation.
High band: an inductor-based band with sweepable frequency, a wide, medium or narrow bandwidth selector, and separate boost and cut that can be used at once.
Low band: boost or cut at 80 or 150 Hz for bottom end and warmth.
Filters and analyzer: high- and low-pass filters, plus an EQ editor with a real-time analyzer.
ElektraComp: a VCA compressor with an easy mode (threshold plus blend for parallel compression) or a full editor with a visualizer, and an in/out switch.
Output and summing: channel and output faders, summing amp emulation that can be switched off, VU meters that switch between output and gain reduction, channel and fader link, channel cut (mute) and L/R swap.

A demo is available and future updates are included. It is currently on sale.

Source: Korneff Audio product page

When to use it

The Alpha Range Channel is the pick for the sound of a rare British desk from the late 60s, with a saturating preamp, a simple inductor EQ and a VCA compressor in one strip. Compared with bx_console SSL 4000 E and the API Vision Channel Strip Collection, it has a much simpler two-band EQ but more preamp and transformer colour. Unlike Scheps Omni Channel or SSL Native Channel Strip 2, it is not a do-everything modern strip; it is built for vintage character.

Best for: vintage rock and pop tones on drums, vocals, bass and guitars, and console colour on buses.
Genres: rock, indie, pop, folk and soul.
Look elsewhere if: you need detailed multi-band EQ and dynamics; SSL Native Channel Strip 2 or Scheps Omni Channel give more control.

Where to buy

Korneff Audio: Free

Tutorials and reviews

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