Radial Engineering Ltd. Announces 500-Series Reverb Unit – Radial TankDriver
Radial is probably most well known for their DI boxes – The Radial JDI being their first product launched under the official Radial brand back in 96’. Up until just a few years ago, the company was most well known for producing quality DI products, guitar pedals, amps and other signal processors. With their release of the Radial Workhorse, the company became synonymous with 500 series products.
Prepare to get run over -- in a GOOD way -- by the Radial Tank Driver.
Radial continues their legacy with announcement of the Radial TankDriver – A 500 series module that brings spring reverb from one of the most iconic, vintage guitar amps around. The Radial TankDriver is set to release at the end of this month (June 2011) for $300 MSRP. For more details from the manufacturers full announcement, read on:
“Press Release: Radial Engineering Ltd. has announced the Radial TankDriver, a 500 series module that enables the user to use the spring reverb in a guitar amplifier and bring this unique effect into a recording system.
According to Radial Senior Design Engineer Dan Fraser: “We originally discussed building a 19” rack unit that would house a reverb tank and pro audio interface, but it seemed crazy not to take advantage of all of the reverbs that are already sitting in old Fender Twins which may otherwise be gathering dust. The TankDriver just made a lot of sense. Not only could we keep the design compact, but because the power supply is shared when inside a Workhorse or other 500 series rack, this also reduces the end cost.”
Designed to fit both the Radial Workhorse and older API type racks, the TankDriver features a wet dry mix to balance the signal and shimmer and boom controls to add top-end or extra boom to the tone. For older reverbs that may be less sensitive, a drive switch increases the output to compensate. For those who are equipped with Workhorse, the Omniport adds a TRS insert point for easy interfacing to a patchbay.
Using the TankDriver is easy: You simply patch a set of ¼” to RCA cables from the TankDriver’s front panel to the reverb unit, adjust the levels and you are set to enjoy the unique ‘twang’ that is only possible from a real spring reverb. Changing the length (size) of the reverb further alters the tone.
The TankDriver will begin shipping at the end of June, US price around $300.”