In this video I review an incredibly impressive 500 series compressor. Heritage Audio Grandchild 670 is Fairchild compressor clone that costs only £1600 and captures every essence of what a Fairchild sounds and feels like. I was fully expecting this module to be a huge let down but from the second I heard I was instantly impressed. I feel this is very audible in the audio examples in this video.
FULL SONG 1
FULL SONG 2
FULL SONG 3
FULL SONG 4
FULL SONG 5
DRUM MIX 1
DRUM MIX 2
The GRANDCHILD 670/500 is stuffed with 4 6BA6 (5749) NOS tubes, three exclusively designed transformers (one per channel & and one for the Sidechain) and the necessary select components and circuitry to capture that elusive sound. For the first time ever it is possible to achieve that sought after tone and response in such an affordable package.
In common with its big brother, there is an INPUT GAIN control with an adjustable range of 20dB, the AC Threshold, 5 Attack and Release selectable times, the DC Threshold which gives access to the progressive ratio, which is a unique curve adjustment combining control of the ratio and knee, soft stepped from hard limiting to a very smooth and transparent, light compression. There is also a 3 position high-pass Sidechain filter to reduce the lower frequency´s influence on the detection circuit, a must have nowadays for current productions.
As this is a stereo unit, a sum of the two channels will determine the overall dBs of gain reduction for both channels ensuring a stable stereo image. All built into a solid 2 space unit for the popular 500 series format with an attractive age-referencing front panel complete with a beautiful, informative VU meter that not only indicates Gain Reduction metering but also informs the user of the unit’s 3-position Active/Bypass /Off switch confirming the status even from a distance.
It’s not easy to achieve that classic warm, hugging, intimate sound that just seems to effortlessly glue together a MIX in a musical way, but the GRANDCHILD 670/500 does it perfectly. Having already designed the 19¨ rack Stereo/M&S/two channel version and the 19¨ rack Mono version, it was just a question of fitting that ever so familiar sound, into a smaller space. The engineers at Heritage Audio accepted the challenge and responded with determination to achieve that lush, classy, elegant tone. With four 6BA6 (5749) tubes and three transformers you can be sure that your signal will be treated like royalty and whatever you put through the GRANDCHILD 670/500 will come out sounding much better.Try it for mixing, and hear the magic no other compressor can deliver!
For Live use the SMC2B is adding quality and musicality to top touring acts.
FEATURES
- The Fairchild for the rest of us.
- A true recreation of the classic Fairchild sound in a convenient and affordable 2-slot-unit 500 series module.
- Real Vari-MU compression powered by 2 NOS military grade 6BA6 tubes per channel and 3 custom made transformers at its core.
- 5 Attack and Release times have been made even more flexible than in the original unit.
- Immediate access to the continuously variable slope.
- Clean, intelligent design to guarantee many years of use.
PRICE
- Heritage Audio Grandchild 670 SX Pro – £1699.00
- Heritage Audio Grandchild 670 Sweetwater – $1999.00
CONNECTIONS
- 500 Series
