JoeMeek Launches New Products for the Millennium
October 15, 1999
Joemeek celebrates the new millennium by releasing 2 new products.
One completely new product, and one traditional product, revisited. Both available
in time for 2000
The VC5 'Meequalizer'
The Joemeek 'Meequalizer' is a two channel, line level equalizer with a difference.
That being its design was inspired by Ted Fletcher's early 70's mixing desk designs
to have an EQ effect that was pleasing to the ear, and not necessarily having
the same effect or response curves as ordinary EQ's. The VC5 has been built to
give the most aggressive, powerful sound possible, while maintaining a signal's
musical harmonic properties.
The key to producing an EQ with tonal qualities beyond any digital or modern
op amp based design is simplicity. Dont worry about db/octave predictability,
or precise frequency responses, or even have too many bands and shelving controls.
These things have no place in the mind of the sound engineer who has to produce
the right sound for the job. The VC5 is an EQ with a sound unlike other EQs on
the market.
How is this possible? The VC5 uses a vintage design class A amplifier at the
heart of the EQ sections. Use of this amplifier reduces harmonic and intermodulation
distortions normally caused by class B and digital equalizer models. The class
A amplifier also produces valve like signal qualities that warm sound.
Conventional equalizers were developed from the theory of what 'should' happen
when the knobs are turned. In practice, they fail to sound right because the designers
did not have the background of knowledge in the practicalities of real sound creation.
The curves may look pretty, but we are just not interested in listening to curves!
The very first equalizers were designed for the motion picture industry. The
problem that had to be overcome was that different scenes had to be shot with
the dialogue microphone different distances from the person speaking; so they
needed a piece of equipment that 'equalized' the sound, not just the volume. These
early equalizers were naturally very musical and 'easy' sounding and that is the
basis of the Joemeek VC5. By experimenting and going 'over the top' with some
of the electronics, the resulting sound possibilities are musical, aggressive
and highly creative.
The VC6Q British Channel
The VC6Q is a combination of JOEMEEKs 5-stage mic preamplifier, photo
compressor, and Meequalizer channel; features that make the unit ideal for recording
studio and live sound instrument/vocal applications.
In the studio, the VC6Q offers high quality channel for the recording of a
voices and instruments either directly or with a microphone. When used live, the
unit can be used as the interface between an instrument or microphone and P.A.
desk, to achieve a processed sound suitable for amplification that has amazing
depth and power that will add a new dimension to a performance.
The VC6Q does this by combining the following key products into a purpose
built unit:
Microphone pre amplifier: 5-stage design for huge gain and low noise. This
preamplifier is well featured with 48V Phantom power, 20dB Pad, Phase reverse,
overload indicator and front mounted special passive instrument input and a rear
panel mounted XLR mic input and 1/4 jack line input. There is also a line/instrument
in select switch with indicator.
Joemeek Compressor: A full mono photo optical Joemeek compressor with compression
control for threshold, fully variable slope (ratio), plus variable attack and
release controls. This is complimented by a 5 LED gain reduction indicator array
and in/out switch with indicator.
As well as providing a stunning input interface, the VC6Q has a full channel
of the legendary time, or afterwards during mixing. There are rotary controls
for ±15db LF shelf, HF shelf, plus parametric mid sweep and ±15db
mid control (see VC5 literature for parameters). This section is also equipped
with an in/out switch and indicator.
This will provide vintage EQ sounds at tracking The VC6Q makes a good addition
to a digital recording studio, offering an excellent way of getting sounds into
disk or tape based recording systems, giving your tracks the incredible Meek compression
and MeekQ sounds, with the added bonus of bypassing unnecessary recording equipment
before the recorder. This will lower the noise of your recording, and keep the
signal's musical integrity. Tracking through a VC6Q will greatly improve on directly
recorded sounds through mixing desk channels, and will give you the tools to make
a better mix than you could ever make before. Joemeek is proud of the VC6Q. Use
it. In the studio or live, you wont believe the difference it makes to your
sounds! Peripheral features of the 6Q include dual 'Superbal' outputs, a pre compression
and EQ insert point and a full 9 LED smooth tracking LED input meter to help you
control signal levels.
The VC6Q is hand-made in England from traditional pro audio grade components.
Visit Joemeek on the web at www.joemeek-uk.com.
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