IGS Audio Tubecore 3U
- Vari-Mu Mastering Compressor
- the finest Mastering Compressor to garnish your Masters!
The IGS AudioTubecore 3U has become an IGS studio hardware classic over the years since it's launch in 2017.
The market is quite dense when it comes to tube compressors, yet the Tubecore 3U managed to become a standard in recording, mixing and mastering studios worldwide.
Details
Optically appearing in a sleek black housed chassis, reminding a bit of the legendary Farichild 670 compressor, the IGS Audio Tubecore doesn't aim to be a clone:
It's an independent and individual tube compressor design.
Variable Gain-Staging
The well-thoughtout Gain Staging concept of the Tubecore is worth mentioning at first.
The gain-staging is realised in 3-4 steps per side/channel, depending on how you count.
First to set is the input gain (1-24db), followed by the amount of compression (0 to -12db) and finally the output gain, which can be dialed in from 1-24db also.
The fourth step is the wet/dry blender, which gives you access to more options to handle the amount of compression you want to feed in the original source.
Side-Chain Function
A sidechain function, which works from 60-120 hz is also included.A crucial feature in order to keep the bass from pushing the compressor too hard, sounding squashed/pumped.
6 different Attack- and Releasetimes give you the flexibility you need, in order to get a punchy and warm sound, if needed you can also aggressively make the music more dense.
In numbers: 0,1-30ms Attack and 0,1-4s Release-Time offer all of that in a musical way.
The Tubecore 3U has got wether a Dual-mono (no link) or a M/S-compression-mode built in.
The two bypass-modes are a clever feature.This way you can bypass a mode instantly, without having to switch the knob all the way down or up.
Clever and handy feature: The IGS Audio Tubecore got 2 bypass modes for dual-mono and M/S-compression
Two VU meters in the classic 1950s style on the front panel give the Tubecore its noble look. In addition, it features two bypass switches and the characteristic ruby-red power LED. The unit's power supply is also external – a clear advantage for a more even, clean, and interference-free power supply. What really makes the IGS Audio Tubecore 3U unique is the direct access to the tubes on the back of the device. This feature was deliberately designed with the user's sound taste and flexibility in mind.
It's your turn: pick your favorite tube!Two slots on the back are free for your tube-choice.
User-customizable Tubes
Beside two russian 6N1P-WE-double-triode tubes, that are permanently mounted, there are two free sockets for you to fill in with your favorite-flavoured tubes.
You can choose from Fairchild 6386 tubes to 6BC8 tubes (Univeral Audio 176 style), or
or 5670 tubes.Putting this into consideration, you get four possible character sounds, which you can choose yourself.
May that be tight and transparent, up to strong coloration, and dark-warm soundprocessing.
The build in parts are of great quality: Carnhill Input- and Output-Transformer, NOS Tubes,Metal-film Resistors (1% tolerance), Wima-condensators, Sidechain-Lowcut via Relais.
To sum it up: you get a lot of value for your money, the Tubecore 3U is easy to understand and accessible, of great built and quality switches.
It is also not only usable for mastering purposes, you can use it for a variety of scenarios like drum or bass/vocal-recording up to parallel busses and mixbus processing.
IGS Audio Tubecore 3U
- Specifications
Device type Vari Mu Compressor Yes Basic features All stepped manipulators 24 pole Elma switches MID/SIDE Processing OpAmp M-S encode/decode Sidechain HPF 120Hz, 60Hz, Off WET/DRY Mixer 0 - 100%, 4 dB step Input & Output Input Impedance (balanced) XLR, 10k Ohm, IGS Custom Transformers Output Impedance (balanced) XLR, 600 Ohm, IGS Custom Transformers Levels Operating Level +4dBu Max input level +22 dBu Max output level +26 dBu Dynamic Range >107 dBA (@ 1kHz, +24 dBu) Max Gain Reduction 20 dB Max. gain +35dB Time constants Attack 0.1 - 30 ms Release 0.1 - 4s Bandwidth Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz; +/- 0.2dB Distortion (@ 20 Hz - 20 kHz) Signal to Noise Ratio 95 dBA @ +4dBu, 1kHz THD 0.12 % THD+N 0.15 % IMD (SMPTE) 0.32% Crosstalk 82 dB Power Voltage 115/230V AC, 50-60Hz Power consumption 44 Wats Power supply External Packing box Dimensions 70x50x30 cm Shipping weight 9kg Others Tube set Standard: 6N1P-EW or 6N3P-EW, Optional: 6BC8, 5670, 6386
IGS Tubecore 3U Manual
IGS Audio Tubecore 3U Mastering Compressor - Reviews
- hear,see and read what Pro's are saying abotut the IGS Audio Tubecore 3U Vari-Mu Compressor
