Bettermaker Valve Stereo Passive Equalizer (VSPE)

Revolutionize your sound

Bettermaker® Valve Stereo Passive Equalizer (VSPE) is a breakthrough in audio engineering. It combines the timeless warmth of vacuum tube technology with the precision of digital recall. Years of meticulous development and testing have culminated in a product that promises to revolutionize your sound.

Tubes

The tubes used in our devices were exclusively produced in the USSR in the 70s and 80s for military use in ballistic missiles and military jet fighters. These tubes meet strict durability and electrical parameters, minimize noise and distortion and underwent rigorous testing. Our decision to create our own transformers was based on the noticeable differences between classic, renowned transformers and other professional-grade products available in the market.

Transformers

After extensive research and collaboration with manufacturers, we've developed a transformer that meets our standards as musicians, sound engineers, and electronics developers. We found that the differences between vintage transformers are audible and measurable, with issues in the lower frequency range.

DAW Integration

The Bettermaker Valve Stereo Passive Equalizer comes with a hybrid DAW plugin that enables you to control and recall all hardware settings. It also offers a high-quality digital high-pass filter (HPF) and low-pass filter (LPF), a spectrum analyzer, session snapshots, and other useful functions such as dual mono operation, audio level metering, and quantize (step) mode for all hardware knobs. You can adjust the VSPE filters by dragging handles on the EQ curve graph, and the currently selected band will be soloed to allow you to hear the changes.

Please note that some hardware features are only available when the DAW plugin is connected and active. In standalone mode, VSPE will link both channels and disable the quantize mode. The HEAT function is always linked, regardless of the link mode or selected channel.

Main features:

• Digitally controlled analogue circuitry with transformer output and vacuum tube drive stage
• Vacuum tube drive stage powered by mil-spec NOS tubes
• Bettermaker TT-1 audio transformers handcrafted in-house
• FET-input Burr-Brown op-amps and hand-matched inductors
• HEAT function enables internal gain stage that drives vacuum tubes harder to add saturation and color to the sound while activating output pad to maintain unity gain
• GAIN Mode allows output level adjustment and HEAT function activation via high-cut frequency button
• VSPE DAW-control plug-in allows setting recall and automation via USB connection
• Additional features available via DAW plug-in
• Maximum LF cut: 16dB (set to 100Hz)
• Maximum HF boost: 18dB (all frequencies)
• Low boost/cut frequencies: 20, 30, 60, 100Hz
• High boost frequencies: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 28kHz
• High cut frequencies: 5, 10, 20kHz
• Type-B USB port for computer connection
• Robust 2U metal chassis with thick faceplate
• Designed, developed and built-in Poland
  

Tech Specs:

• Type: Stereo Passive Equalizer
• Max input level: +24 dBu (balanced with 48kΩ input impedance)
• Max output level: +22 dBu
• Output impedance: 120Ω (30Ω with HEAT activated - transformer balanced)
• Nominal audio level: +4 dBuMax LF boost: 15 dB (set to 100 Hz)
• Max LF cut: 16 dB (set to 100 Hz)
• Max HF boost: 18 dB (all frequencies)
• Low boost/cut frequencies: 20, 30, 60, 100 Hz
• High boost frequencies: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 28 kHz
• High cut frequencies: 5, 10, 20 kHz
• Control Resolution: 101 steps (Lo Boost, Lo Cut, Hi Boost, Bandwidth) & 34 steps (Hi Cut)
• Control Resolution in Quantize mode: 17 steps for all controls
• Output gain: +/- 8 dB (0.1 dB resolution; 1 dB in Quantize mode)
• Unit height: 2U
• Unit depth: 140 mm
• Unit weight: 2.7kg (without cables & PSU)
• AC power: 18W
• Discover more from Bettermaker [VSPE]: https://www.bettermaker.com/vspe