|
|
Post by BradM on Jan 21, 2017 12:45:03 GMT -6
It is with great excitement that Louder Than Liftoff and drbill announce Chroma - the world's first 500 series audio processor with Twin Tone-Amp™ architecture and the ability to accept real analog plugins for expanding its feature set. Answering the call for a single channel Silver Bullet, Chroma delivers with its twin topology (A or N) line processor and mic amp, but adds an exciting twist - an analog plugin slot accepting Colour Modules. This feature allows additional processing and effects to be inserted into the signal path and mixed with Chroma’s "A" or "N" inspired MOJO Amps. Price: $599 Early adopter bonus: Definitely! Availability: Available for pre-order March 2017 Chroma features the same classic American and British MOJO Amps developed for the Silver Bullet, but adapted for a single slot 500 series module. The functionality and tonal versatility of Chroma can be further expanded by installing optional analog plugin cards conforming to the Colour Module standard created by DIY Recording Equipment. Once again, the collaborative effort between Louder Than Liftoff and drBill has resulted in a truly unique and innovative feature set, unparalleled by any other 500 series processor or mic pre available. Uses:
- Dual mode Mic Amp – toggle between classic API or Neve inspired mic amps - no more swapping mic preamps mid-session - Dual mode Mix Bus / 2-bus processor (in pairs) - yielding similar MOJO and image enhancing sonics as the Silver Bullet - Achieve saturation, 3D widening, or audio mangling for mix elements suffering from “digititus” by re-amping - MOJO-powered host for your favorite analog plugins (Colour Modules) Colour Slot:
Although perfectly ready to work without them, Chroma comes ready to accept a wide variety of fully assembled analog plugins affordably priced from $79 - $129 that may be easily installed without tools in the Colour Module slot on Chroma’s printed circuit board. Just pop your favorite Colour Module into the slot, adjust the drive (C-DRV), and blend in (C-MIX) to taste. When EQ modules are installed in Chroma, the C-MIX knob functions as a variable amount of boost and cut depending on the module.
Louder Than Liftoff offers the following analog plugins for Chroma:
- Pentode - a subminiature tube saturator - Implode - the world’s smallest 1176 compressor - Pulse - a textured tape echo/delay - Rogue Tec Air - a Pultec HF shelving EQ - Mass Drivr (NEW) – a classic American channel inspired by API 325 Line Amplifier - FET Filter (NEW) - a FET buffered tone-shaper with low shelf, high pass, and mid EQ - Many other third party modules are also available from the DIY Recording Equipment store Other exciting new analog plugin modules from Louder Than Liftoff are in development and will be announced in the future. Tone Shaping:
To round out its feature set, Chroma also features switchable HF and LF EQ boosts derived from drBill’s favorite Silver Bullet settings to enhance a track or add final polish to a mix. The user can select PRESENCE or AIR, and SUB or BASS frequencies via onboard jumpers. The HF switch can be programmed to add the Silver Bullet’s VINTAGE filter as well. Other specs:- Mic or Mix/Line mode - 48V phantom power - Polarity reverse - Gain: 0 to 26 dB, (26 to 60 dB in High Gain mode) - Max Gain: +60 dB (normal), +78 dB (Colour boost mode) - Colour Drive: 0 to +18 dB - Custom American made transformers - ROGUE FIVE discrete op amps designed by Louder Than Liftoff, conforming to standard 2520 footprint - Signal present indicator and bi-directional meter - Designed and Assembled in Silicon Valley, CA, USA. We packed a lot of love into Chroma and are looking forward to sharing it with you all. For more information or to pre-order, visit : www.louderthanliftoff.comBrad |
|
|
|
Post by drbill on Jan 21, 2017 13:08:30 GMT -6
I gots only one thing to say about this one......
Been using the prototypes for awhile.......
|
|
|
|
Post by jdc on Jan 21, 2017 13:15:53 GMT -6
I want 10
|
|
|
|
Post by chasmanian on Jan 21, 2017 13:43:23 GMT -6
gosh darn, that looks like fun!!
|
|
|
|
Post by bowie on Jan 21, 2017 14:00:52 GMT -6
gosh darn, that looks like fun!! You stole the words... That looks like a whole lotta fun.  |
|
|
|
Post by stratboy on Jan 21, 2017 15:13:27 GMT -6
Brilliant idea!
|
|
|
|
Post by LesC on Jan 21, 2017 15:33:59 GMT -6
Great idea! As I was reading the description, the thought crossed my mind that if Brad McGowan would form a partnership with Jeff Steiger, and collaborate with Dr. Bill, the results could be mind-blowing. I realize each is successful on their own, but still, it was just a thought.
|
|
|
|
Post by wiz on Jan 21, 2017 15:39:45 GMT -6
great! just GREAT!
cheers
Wiz
|
|
|
|
Post by BradM on Jan 21, 2017 16:18:13 GMT -6
Thanks for all the kind words, guys! I really appreciate it. Bill and I are pretty excited about this. I really think it's going to be a powerful piece for a lot of folks. No more "should I use the API or the Neve on this mic"? Just toggle between the two options and make a decision. Also the Colour slot is a wonderful versatility multiplier, especially since we included a wet/dry Mix knob, which is something no other Colour-equipped product has to date. This really opens up the possibilities. For instance, if you load in the new FET Filter module you can use the C-MIX knob to control the amount of EQ boost or cut. The module itself can be configured for HPF, low shelving, or midrange EQ duties. For example, you could enable one of the HPF frequencies on the module. When you turn the C-MIX knob clockwise at first you get a low shelving cut response. More C-MIX is greater shelving cut. At full wet (clockwise) the shelf turns into a high pass filter. Another example: set the FET Filter for midrange boost or cut and select a frequency. I love the 330 Hz and 500 Hz options for clearing out mud. As you turn the C-MIX knob the amount of cut (or boost) is increased as you go clockwise, all the way upto 12 dB. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had a simple low mid cut on my mic preamps. This little module gives it to you.
While the front panel is pretty simple from an operations perspective, I put a bunch of user-configurable options on the main PCB so you can configure Chroma to suit your workflow and production needs. As a gear user I've resorted to modifying a lot of my gear over the years. With Chroma, I put a bunch of mods into the design so you can set it up the way you want. Remind me to tell you guys about the internal swiches and jumpers that affect the Colour slot.
Brad
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Jan 21, 2017 17:55:14 GMT -6
OK...that's BADASS.
|
|
|
|
Post by quiethouse on Jan 21, 2017 20:37:22 GMT -6
Looks brilliant, Brad. Can't wait to check it out.
|
|
|
|
Post by drbill on Jan 21, 2017 21:09:51 GMT -6
Can't wait to get some of these floating around these parts. The ability to switch between API and Neve pre's while tracking/overdubbing has been really awesome. And in Mixing, the Chroma can get a little more "hair" to it. Perfect for me on guitars and bass when I want to rough things up a little on a mix.
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Jan 21, 2017 21:16:07 GMT -6
Looks brilliant, Brad. Can't wait to check it out. Welcome! |
|
|
|
Post by noah shain on Jan 22, 2017 1:01:21 GMT -6
👍🏿👍🏾👍🏿👍🏾
|
|
|
|
Post by keymod on Jan 22, 2017 7:29:01 GMT -6
You know, I was trying to save money this year.......
|
|
|
|
Post by pope on Jan 22, 2017 9:35:34 GMT -6
Looking great! Similar concept to the bigbearaudio stuff. Cool!  |
|
|
|
Post by BradM on Jan 22, 2017 11:06:24 GMT -6
Looking great! Similar concept to the bigbearaudio stuff. Cool! Well, not exactly. Charlie is making a discrete mic preamp/DI with a Colour slot. The Big Bear Audio MP1 is closer in concept to the DIY Recording Equipment CP5, which is also a mic preamp with a Colour slot. Chroma is essentially an adapted mono Silver Bullet (Baby Bullet?) with a Colour Slot featuring a wet/dry mix control, which can function as either a mic preamp or a line level processor. At the heart are two entirely separate "A" and "N" MOJO Amps, as featured in the Silver Bullet. So ignoring the Colour slot, Chroma can be both API flavor and Neve flavor. But similar in the sense there's a circuit board, you can plug a mic into it, it has an aesthetically pleasant faceplate, and it has a Colour slot. Brad |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 13,225 
|
Post by ericn on Jan 23, 2017 15:52:36 GMT -6
Looking great! Similar concept to the bigbearaudio stuff. Cool! Well, not exactly. Charlie is making a discrete mic preamp/DI with a Colour slot. The Big Bear Audio MP1 is closer in concept to the DIY Recording Equipment CP5, which is also a mic preamp with a Colour slot. Chroma is essentially an adapted mono Silver Bullet (Baby Bullet?) with a Colour Slot featuring a wet/dry mix control, which can function as either a mic preamp or a line level processor. At the heart are two entirely separate "A" and "N" MOJO Amps, as featured in the Silver Bullet. So ignoring the Colour slot, Chroma can be both API flavor and Neve flavor. But similar in the sense there's a circuit board, you can plug a mic into it, it has an aesthetically pleasant faceplate, and it has a Colour slot. Brad Looks Good Brad! You have a one hell of a way of coloring outside the lines! |
|
|
|
Post by BradM on Jan 24, 2017 12:45:07 GMT -6
Thanks, Eric! I'm trying my hardest over here.
Brad
|
|
|
|
Post by guitfiddler on Jan 24, 2017 17:16:00 GMT -6
The preamp that Chuck Norris uses! Nuff Said!
|
|
|
|
Post by Tommy Harron on Jan 25, 2017 9:54:58 GMT -6
This looks very cool. Signed up for more info on the website.
Cheers!
|
|
|
|
Post by scumbum on Jan 25, 2017 10:15:08 GMT -6
Can't wait to get some of these floating around these parts. The ability to switch between API and Neve pre's while tracking/overdubbing has been really awesome. And in Mixing, the Chroma can get a little more "hair" to it. Perfect for me on guitars and bass when I want to rough things up a little on a mix. That feature to switch between API and Neve pre's is what really got my interest . I don't think ANYBODY has done that yet ? Correct ? Then the ability to use the color modules and all the other features priced at $599 , It reminds me of that Homer Simpson car , but not in a bad way . They sent Homer to the car factory and said design the car of your dreams and don't leave out any features you want . This is like dr.bills and most engineers dream mic pre , it does EVERYTHING ! I would have to say this is one of the best top mic pres for the 500 series .  |
|
|
|
Post by drbill on Jan 25, 2017 10:43:36 GMT -6
Can't wait to get some of these floating around these parts. The ability to switch between API and Neve pre's while tracking/overdubbing has been really awesome. And in Mixing, the Chroma can get a little more "hair" to it. Perfect for me on guitars and bass when I want to rough things up a little on a mix. That feature to switch between API and Neve pre's is what really got my interest . I don't think ANYBODY has done that yet ? Correct ? Then the ability to use the color modules and all the other features priced at $599 , It reminds me of that Homer Simpson car , but not in a bad way . They sent Homer to the car factory and said design the car of your dreams and don't leave out any features you want . This is like dr.bills and most engineers dream mic pre , it does EVERYTHING ! I would have to say this is one of the best top mic pres for the 500 series . I'm not aware of ANY mic pre that does what Chroma does - well,,,,,,other than the Silver Bullet. Then, at the $599 price point, it becomes pretty much a no-brainer. And the sonics are not compromised. And the thing is built in the U S of A. The transformers (american wound) and discrete op amps are the best we could find/build, price not an object. There are compressors and EQ's already built for the color slot, and some REALLY interesting stuff slated for the design bench that will take it way over the top. Different types of compression, color, tubes, etc.. It's an exciting time and I suspect these will get used almost exclusively for tracking drums for me. The Cmix is super cool when combined with various EQ, Compression etc. modules for getting a subtle to rad sound. Can't wait to get enough to put on an entire kit, be able to switch back and forth between A and N, and roll in the colour..... <thumbsup> |
|
|
|
Post by 79sg on Jan 25, 2017 12:24:36 GMT -6
I will confess this is the first product I've seen, that might finally after all these years, get me to take on some 500 series. I have always preferred rack mount gear. Still want a Silver Bullet too however. Very nice Brad.
|
|
|
|
Post by drsax on Jan 25, 2017 13:30:00 GMT -6
Bravo Brad & Bill. This is way cool!
|
|
