Heritage Audio Herchild 670 Stereo Tube Compressor

As there were only about 500 units originally produced, there simply aren't enough to go around for everybody. Add to that the original requires quite a lot of special maintenance and after nearly 60 years, there just simply aren't many still in good shape - that's where Heritage Audio comes in. Heritage Audio has been able to successfully follow the original design and trace the necessary components to provide a modern day alternative. It's taken years, but they've finally produced something so special that it's capable of letting the old grandaddy take a long deserved rest, and make room for the new blood to take over.  

While staying true to the original in terms of response and sound, Heritage Audio have been able to add a few things to make it more practical in modern day studios. First off they've given direct access to the continuously variable slope control (DC Threshold). This is something that makes the compressor so much more flexible and was only available on the original via an inconvenient screw adjustment hidden from immediate access. Then there's the SC FILTER. Nowadays, it's almost impossible to fathom a compressor without this feature as it's become so important in everyday use. Heritage Audio have provided 4 different frequencies to choose from to precisely tailor your compression needs. They've also faithfully reproduced the exact attack and release times in the Time Constant section so you can confidently recreate the feel of its ancestor.   The HERCHILD Model 670 is a two channel unit so you have the option to use them independently or linked together. There are actually 4 modes of operation:  Individual, Link(Stereo), LAT/VERT(MID/SIDE) & LAT/VERT Link. Using the LAT/VERT mode provides a whole new world of options to your mix.

So finally, after so many years of this being unobtainable to mere mortals, the HERCHILD Model 670 is here and within reach of everyone. Enjoy the sound that has blessed thousands and thousands of hits throughout the years. Feel the warmth as it hugs your tracks and makes them stand out proudly from all the rest. 

Smart, program-dependent soft-knee compression

The buttery-smooth sound of the vocals on Beatles’ records is largely thanks to the original Model 660, the mono version of the famous compressor, of which EMI Studios (Abbey Road) owned several. (If you prefer a mono unit, note that Heritage Audio also makes the Herchild Model 660.) This sound is the result of a number of factors, including — as featured in the Herchild 670 — 22 tubes and nine transformers. An inherent sonic attribute of this type of “variable-mu” dynamics control is the gentle, soft knee of the compression curve, with reasonably fast attack and fairly long release times. It’s also program dependent, so gain reduction starts at a very low ratio on small peaks and gradually increases to brickwall territory on very loud input signals. While on the Fairchild, the DC Threshold is adjusted via an internal trim pot, the Herchild 670 and 660 bring the powerful DC Threshold control out to the front panel for immediate access. This allows for adjustment over a wide range, from a seamless transition between compression and hard limiting to a harder, more pronounced knee. Another valuable feature is a sidechain filter that allows you to minimize the influence of low frequencies on compression action.