New Phoenix Mastering Plus, Standby From Thermionic Culture
Thermionic Culture has released a new version of the Mastering valve compressor, the Phoenix Mastering Plus.
Phoenix Mastering Plus
The hand-built, point to point wired soft knee compressor has a compression ratio from 1.2:1 to 5:1 at 15dB of compression and uses Mullard and Siemens valves and custom Sowter transformers.
According to Thermionic Culture…
“Following on the success of the previous models including the red face anniversary limited edition, the new model features new switched and stepped rotary controls for quick and easy recall. The input gain features a 24 position ELMA, a 11 position ELMA for the Threshold, 6 position ALPHA attack and release and a 31 position OMEG stepped output pot. The same side chain filter section as previous versions has been retained.
A significant difference to the previous M/C versions is the the Mastering Plus now has the same input gain structure as the standard model Phoenix, enabling the mastering Plus to cope with tracking and mixing of individual instruments and vocals that may require high amounts of compression.
Other new features include a standby switch which is provided to extend valve and capacitor life. When in ‘standby’ the HT current through the valves is only 50% of the normal value. The meter zero level adjusters have now been brought to the front panel to avoid having to take the unit out of the rack and so making calibration easier.”
The Phoenix Mastering Plus is shipping now, available at MAP price of $5,995
Thermionic Culture has also announced a new version of the Phoenix soft knee stereo valve compressor, the Phoenix Standby. This is the same design as the previous Phoenix S/C (side chain) model incorporating hand-built point to point wiring, Mullard and Siemens valves and custom Sowter transformers.
The unit also now features a standby switch and all the new benefits/features listed above for the Mastering Plus. (i.e. extended valve and capacitor life, and “When in ‘standby’ the HT current through the valves is only 50% of the normal value. The meter zero level adjusters have now been brought to the front panel to avoid having to take the unit out of the rack and so making calibration easier.”)
The Phoenix Standby is now shipping, and available for $4,595 MAP.
Contact a Thermionic Culture U.S. dealer such as Alto Music for more information.