In this video I review the Analog Designs Blackbox HG 2 saturation box. It is an incredible piece of equipment you are going to love hearing in this review. Warm rich low end and beautiful crispy saturated tops.
The HG-2 uses custom input transformers to feed two paths: The main signal path travels through a 6U8A Pentode tube stage that then drives into the Triode stage that follows, resulting in everything from subtle harmonics to full on saturation.
Also fed from the input transformer is a parallel signal path that utilises a set of 12AX7 tubes, voiced specifically for harmonics and saturation. This parallel saturation circuit is outfitted with a 3 way “Freq. Select” switch that allows the user to choose the frequency content returning from the circuit. The low position saturates just the low mids and sub frequencies, the “flat” position saturates full bandwidth and the “high” position saturates only the high mids and high frequencies. The result is the ability to add top end to dull tracks, enhance low end or enhance and add energy to the entire signal. The “saturation” knob allows the user to control how much of the processed, parallel signal is fed into the main signal before hitting the Pentode stage. Finally, both stages reach the passive output attenuation before a pair of custom output transformers.
In addition to the saturation stages, an “air” switch adds a subtle top end lift and the “alt” tube button switches between two different 12AX7 tubes in the parallel circuit. Switching between tubes allows the user to select between differently voiced tubes for different types of saturation, instantly.
The meter button switches between 3 modes (VU, VU/Peak & Energy), and the “bypass” switch is a true bypass that shorts the input directly to the output with no additional circuitry in line.
