In this video we are comparing the sound 3 Fairchild clones to an original Fairchild compressor. All 3 perform very well and have their own sound. None of the clones are a direct 1 for 1 clone of the original. Which I like. The aim of this video is to highlight just how close they are and what differences do they have.
Unfairchild – To me this is the best sounding Fairchild clone of the three we compared. The most expensive clone also at £14,000. What I like about the Unfairchild is that we are only using 30% of the features it has. The way I see the Unfairchild it is a Fairchild clone for the modern era with lots of additional features to give you much more control and ability to improve the sound specifically for the audio source.
Herchild – It is a close emulation, close enough and still has its own sound. At £8000 it is a fraction of the price of a Fairchild costing £36,000. Has some nice additional features the Fairchild doesn’t have. Which is always good. However not as many additional features as the Unfairchild.
Grandchild – Really impressed with the Grandchild for one reason. It is a 500 series module costing £1600 which is really impressive they have managed to get this sound in 500 series for that price. I can honestly say out of the three clones it is my least favourite sounding. But on the other hand it is much cheaper.
- Original – Playback of Fairchild Model 670
- Grandchild – Playback of Grandchild
- Herchild – Playback of Herchild
- Unfairchild – Playback of Unfairchild
Fairchild Shootout 1
Fairchild Shootout 2
Fairchild Shootout 3
Fairchild Shootout 4
Fairchild Shootout 5
The FAIRCHILD 670 is a highly sought-after vacuum tube compressor that has been faithfully recreated to provide modern producers and audio engineers with the classic sound of the original hardware. With its dual-channel design and unique compression characteristics, the FAIRCHILD 670 is capable of adding warmth, depth, and character to any audio signal. The vacuum tube technology used in the FAIRCHILD 670 adds a natural, organic quality to the compressed signal, providing a rich and dynamic sound that is highly prized by audio professionals. Whether you’re working in a professional recording studio or a home project studio, the FAIRCHILD 670 is an essential tool for adding that classic analog sound to your productions.
The FAIRCHILD 670 has a reputation as one of the most versatile and best sounding compressors ever made. Having been used on countless hit recordings over the years, the FAIRCHILD 670 remains one of the most sought after pieces of studio recording gear throughout the world. Its unique combination of tube driven amplification and gain reduction makes the FAIRCHILD 670 capable of a wide range of compression effects, from subtle and transparent to heavy and pumping. We are proud to announce this faithful and meticulous recreation of the original FAIRCHILD 670, The legend reborn.
The FAIRCHILD 670 is a highly sought-after vacuum tube compressor that has been faithfully recreated to provide modern producers and audio engineers with the classic sound of the original hardware. With its dual-channel design and unique compression characteristics, the FAIRCHILD 670 is capable of adding warmth, depth, and character to any audio signal. The vacuum tube technology used in the FAIRCHILD 670 adds a natural, organic quality to the compressed signal, providing a rich and dynamic sound that is highly prized by audio professionals. Whether you’re working in a professional recording studio or a home project studio, the FAIRCHILD 670 is an essential tool for adding that classic analog sound to your productions.
The FAIRCHILD 670 has a reputation as one of the most versatile and best sounding compressors ever made. Having been used on countless hit recordings over the years, the FAIRCHILD 670 remains one of the most sought after pieces of studio recording gear throughout the world. Its unique combination of tube driven amplification and gain reduction makes the FAIRCHILD 670 capable of a wide range of compression effects, from subtle and transparent to heavy and pumping. We are proud to announce this faithful and meticulous recreation of the original FAIRCHILD 670, The legend reborn.
After decades of being so rare, hard to come by and almost considered mystical and near impossible to acquire, most people just assumed they`d never be able to actually use this legend, but don`t worry, the HERCHILD Model 670 is finally here and within reach of everyone.
For years the industry has referred to this tube-based beast as something special, unique and even magic-like. The original Fairchild has indeed been an essential part of the sound to so many hits during several decades.. It certainly has earned its title as the ´grandaddy´ of all compressors. Being based around 22 tubes and 9 transformers you can be sure the HERCHILD Model 670 will imprint its signature sound all over your tracks providing that familiar tone that we`ve all come to love. Although it was originally designed to be used for cutting lacquer masters for vinyl albums it didn`t take long for engineers to realise that it could do much more. It soon became an essential studio tool for many innovative artists, engineers and producers and could be found in most professional studios.
As there were only about 500 units originally produced there just simply aren`t enough to go around for everybody. Add to that the original requires quite a lot of special maintenance and after nearly 60 years there just simply aren`t many still in good shape. So that`s where Heritage Audio comes in…
Heritage Audio has been able to successfully follow the original design and trace the necessary components to provide a modern day alternative. It`s taken us years, but we`ve finally produced something so special that it`s capable of letting the old grandaddy take a long deserved rest, and make room for the new blood to take over.
It`s been quite a long journey, from sourcing thousands of NOS vari-mu tubes from all around the world to commissioning the best names in the industry for making the needed custom transformers.
While staying true to the original in terms of response and sound, we`ve been able to add a few things to make it more practical in modern day studios. First off we`ve given direct access to the continuously variable slope control (DC Threshold). This is something that makes the compressor so much more flexible and was only available on the original via an inconvenient screw adjustment hidden from immediate access. Then there`s the SC FILTER. Nowadays, it`s just about impossible to fathom a compressor without this feature as it`s become so important in everyday use. Here we`ve provided 4 different frequencies to choose from to precisely tailor your compression needs. We`ve also faithfully reproduced the exact attack and release times in the Time Constant section so you can confidently recreate the feel of its ancestor. The HERCHILD Model 670 is a two channel unit so you have the option to use them independently or linked together. There are actually 4 modes of operation: Individual, Link(Stereo), LAT/VERT(MID/SIDE) & LAT/VERT Link. Using the LAT/VERT mode provides a whole new world of options to your mix.
So finally, after so many years of this being unobtainable to mere mortals, the HERCHILD Model 670 is here and within reach of everyone. Enjoy the sound that has blessed thousands and thousands of hits throughout the years. Feel the warmth as it hugs your tracks and makes them stand out proudly from all the rest.
Heritage Audio has undertaken an unprecedented engineering effort to encapsulate all the charm of the HERCHILD 670 into a more affordable unit so that the flavor of its predecessor is now available for studios with all types of budgets. Welcome to the next generation. The first ever stereo Vari-MU compressor in a 2 slot 500 series module, based on the renowned Fairchild, could not have existed without the years of experience in building the most complex 500 series modules on the market together with the years of studying and developing the HERCHILD models 660 and 670. With 4 NOS tubes and 3 transformers at its core, you can be sure your tracks will receive the attention they deserve with all the warmth and punch you can imagine while maintaining almost no noise or distortion at all making it a great option for Mixing and Mastering. All the warmth and punch you can imagine while maintaining almost no noise or distortion making it a great option for Mixing and Mastering. 5 Attack and Release times have been made even more flexible than in the original unit. Progressive DC Threshold, combining control of the ratio and the knee (from hard limiting to a very smooth transparent compression). Enjoy the sound that has blessed thousands and thousands of hits throughout the years. Feel the warmth as it hugs your tracks and makes them stand out proudly from all the rest. The GRANDCHILD has the soul of its predecessor, assuring that the king of tube compression sound, that influenced hundreds and hundreds of classic tunes, is now available for you to craft your very own masterpieces!
