Description

New classics from D.W. Fearn

D.W. Fearn made a big splash in 1993 when they hit the scene with the VT-1, an all-tube microphone preamplifier built with the highest quality components. Following their success with the VT-1, D.W. Fearn developed a full line of products utilizing all-tube signal chains, from compressors to EQ’s to DI’s. D.W. Fearn now holds a reputation as a top manufacturer of high-end tube gear.

Founder and lead designer Douglas Fearn has a serious passion for tube circuitry and has made it his mission to design the highest quality tube-driven gear based on classic designs from the 50’s and 60’s. There is nothing fancy about D.W. Fearn’s tube-based designs, and that’s what makes them so good. Their simple, elegant circuitry uses only the best class A components, and the result is unparalleled clarity and sonic character. 

In addition to the pristine audio quality, all D.W. Fearn products are built for the highest level of reliability and ruggedness. Each of their products are contained in a heavy-gauge aluminum chassis (painted their signature red), have gold-contact precision relays (to prevent dirty contacts from degrading the sound), and use point-to-point wiring. With this type of attention to detail and refusal to compromise on quality, it’s no wonder D.W. Fearn’s products are found in the most prestigious studios around the globe.

The D.W. Fearn VT-4/VT-5 in one take:

• LC style passive EQ based on legendary units from the 50’s and 60’s
• All tube stages on the input and output
• Intuitive controls featuring Low Cut, Low Boost, Mid Cut, High Boost, and High Cut
• Frequency bands interact in a musical, sonically pleasing way

Classic design, modern components

The VT-4/VT-5 is an LC-style passive EQ, similar to legendary vintage designs such as the Pultec EQP 1A . It features class-A triode vacuum tube stages on the input and output, giving the sound clarity and warmth. The design of the tube circuitry is the same as the famed VT-1/VT-2 and therefore lend it a very similar sonic character to those preamps that D.W. Fearn is most famous for.

Simple, elegant controls

Like everything about it, the controls on the VT-4/VT-5 are simple and intuitive. There is a knob for low cut, low boost, mid-cut, high boost, and high cut, and a selectable frequency for each. In addition, D.W. Fearn included a selectable Q for the high-frequency band, with five settings from broad to sharp. 

Tasty low end, shimmering highs

Where the D.W. Fearn VT-4/VT-5 really shines is in the low end, and the high end. The high boost adds a beautiful sheen that enhances a vocal, or any sound for that matter. In the low end, the VT-4/VT-5 is set up perfectly to achieve the classic boost and cut sound that was a favorite feature of classic EQ’s such as the Pultec EQP-1A. It may seem like a strange idea, but using both the Low Boost and the Low Cut simultaneously can result in a nice low-end boost that leaves the midrange clean and clear.

Specifications

• Frequency response: +/- 0.2 dB 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• THD: less than 0.06%
• Signal-to-Noise: better than 80 dB
• Low Cut: 30, 40, 100, or 400 Hz, 0 to -18 dB shelving in 2 dB steps
• Low Boost: 20, 40, 60, or 140 Hz, 0 to 16 dB shelving in 2 dB steps
• Mid Cut: 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, or 700 Hz, 0 to -16 dB in 2 dB steps
• High Boost: 1.5, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, or 16 kHz, 0 to 12 dB in 2 dB steps
• High Bandwidth Q: 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.4, or 1.7
• High Frequency Cut: 1.5, 3.5, 8, or 28 kHz, 0 to -14 dB shelving in 2 dB steps
• Gain adjustable: -9 to +9 dB, referenced to +4 dBm, in 3 dB steps

NOTE: Frequency is specified in cycles per second (cps) or kilocycles per second (kc). These units correspond to Hz and kHz respectively. Measurements made with -50 dBm input and 50 dB gain in a 22 cps to 22 kc bandwidth. Specifications subject to change without notice.