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Thermionic Culture

The Thermionic Culture Freebird 
is a 3 Channel valve EQ, company director Nick Terry explains,  "We've 
introduced a new product that can be considered as part of a modular 
system, in our own unique style of course. The Freebird has 3 channels 
of broad but versatile valve EQ. The unit is a half rack design but can 
be put together in a 19 inch rack case with another unit to give 6 
channels of EQ. 
 
There will be other products in this format to follow, so plenty of 
opportunity to mix and match. We decided on 3 channels because we want 
this to be seen as an affordable, multichannel, quality valve EQ. It's 
got tons of character and can provide the kind of sound and features 
that fit extremely well in a DAW based system. 
We feel that this is very much in line with what our users need. The 
format now being called a "hybrid" setup is making economic and 
ergonomic sense to more and more of us in this rapidly changing 
business. 
 
The unit is 4 U high. This allows us to make the front panel very easy 
to read which, together with the large knobs and indented pots, makes 
recall of settings quick and easy.  Why 3 channels? Well, ever sat there
 looking at a fully featured esoteric stereo EQ unit and wondering if it
 makes sense that it only ever gets used on the stereo mix bus to add a 
dB or two of top and bottom? With the Freebird you can relax, you've got
 1 stereo and still 1 mono left over. It sounds great on a vocal too by 
the way. Or maybe 3 mono channels are more useful to you. Perhaps you 
could go for 2 units and then consider them as 6 channels of EQ for your
 summing mixer. Starting to feel like a valve console that's easy to 
recall isn't it? 
 
At the heart of the EQ is a baxandall type circuit, effectively giving 2
 shelving equalizers, one for low frequencies and one for high 
frequencies. The EQ point of these shelves can be switched between 2 
positions for each shelf. There is also a unique circuit, originally 
designed by Vic in 1960, which controls the amount of presence in the 
signal. This is a uniquely shaped, active mid lift type EQ. We've 
included a fixed frequency mid cut similar to that found in the Rooster.
 We've also included a single position hi-pass filter to remove problem 
low frequency content. The gain control is there to help reduce unwanted
 distortion when using lots of additive EQ. You can level match the EQ'd
 signal to the original signal by using the gain control and bypass 
switch too, as the bypass completely removes all circuits from the 
signal path. 
 
We feel these broad parameters are actually what is really needed from a
 multichannel EQ nowadays. The now universal use of DAWs does inherently
 mean that digital equalization has come an awfully long way. To the 
point where there are some excellent digital EQ's available and in 
general use. However, one thing they just can't replace is the 
convincing feel provided by outboard valve equalization. The Freebird is
 the kind of EQ you can turn to when you just need..... a bit more!  
Whether that's more gluey bottom end to your drums, more harmonically 
sweet top end to your vocal sound or mid-range shape to guitar tracks, 
all with the true valve sound you'd expect from a Thermionic Culture 
product". 
 
The Freebird is inspired by a design that was developed many years ago 
by Vic Keary and has seen a lot of use on many different albums and hit 
records over the last 50 years. The unit is a single ended, unbalanced 
design, which we've kept in this format because we love the way it 
sounds.

Thermionic Culture Freebird
Three-channel tube equalizer

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Thermionic Culture Earlybird 4
Four Channel Microphone Preamplifier

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The microphone amplifier is arguably the most important part of the audio chain, yet it is here that solid state technology is weakest in most mixing desks. 

The Thermionic Culture Earlybird 2.2 has been developed to be simply the best mic amp you can buy. Because of the special balanced push pull double triode circuit, it is virtually silent and distortion free, and has a very open, clean yet warm sound. The extended frequency response and lack of phase shift make it ideal for classical or rock recording.
The Earlybird 2 has a simple yet very effective eq for top, mid and bass in the feedback circuit (switchable). The high pass filter has been designed so that it works conventionally at lower settings, but on the 2 highest settings is gentler, and provides a mid cut when used in conjunction with the active bass lift.
The Earlybird 2.2 does not have to sit idly by on a mix! A separate line in socket is provided so that it becomes a valve eq and can produce a wonderfully warm distortion if required. The Output Trim control is placed after the electronics (as on The Phoenix ) and if turned back to a low setting, The Earlybird 2 can be overdriven by increasing the Gain setting.

Some Cultured users...
 
Because of their unique blend of flexibility, musicality, and usability, brought about as a result of being hand-built by some of the worlds leading pro audio valve equipment designers and engineeers, Thermionic Culture products attract their fair share of high profile, industry leading producers and engineers from the world of recording technology. Here is just a handful - why not add your name to the list?
<ul>
<li>Tony Maserati - Culture Vulture

</li><li>Black Dog Productions - Earlybird 2.2, Pullet, Phoenix Mastering Compressor, Culture Vulture.

</li><li>Al Schmitt - Phoenix

</li><li>Big Life Music - Phoenix Master Compressor

</li><li>Steve Dub Jones - Earlybird 2

</li><li>The Dairy - Phoenix

</li><li>Al Stone - Culture Vulture

</li><li>ROBERT CARRANZA - PRODUCER FOR LOS LOBOS, SUPER GRASS, JACK JOHNSON - CULTURE VULTURE

</li><li>PABLO MUNGUIA - ROBBIE WILLIAMS - PHOENIX & CULTURE VULTURE

</li><li>STEPHEN STREET - KAISER CHIEFS - CULTURE VULTURE

</li><li>JAMES FORD - PRODUCER - ARTIC MONKEYS - CULTURE VULTURE

</li><li>GROOVE ARMADA - EARLYBIRD & CULTURE VULTURE MASTERING - " Both myself and Tom Findlay bought the Earlybird and the Culture Vulture Mastering, they're like your first mobile phone, once you've used them for a week you wondered how you ever liver without them!" Andy Cato - Groove Armada.

</li><li>Larry Hammel - Producer, Deepwave Music Productions, Earlybird 2.2 and Phoenix

</li><li>Peter Katis

</li><li>Chemical Brothers - Culture Vulture Mastering MV & Phoenix 
"The vulture it distorts synths in a truly beautiful way-we used to acheive this effect thru a long,convoluted process now we can get this great sound at a flick of a switch!" - Tom Rowlands

</li><li>Peter Gabriel - Real World Studios - Culture Vulture

</li><li>Alan Moulder -Producer/Engineer The Jesus & Mary Chain, Swervedriver, My Bloody Valentine,Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails Downward Spiral, U2's Pop.

</li><li>Mike Caffrey

</li><li>Steve 'Dub' Jones - Engineer/Producer - Chemical Brothers, Madness. Culture Vulture Mastering MV & Phoenix

</li><li>Tom Findlay - Groove Armada - Earlybird-2, Phoenix

</li><li>Pietro Taucher - Engineer for Sharrie Williams

</li><li>Paisley Park

</li><li>Tie Dye Keith

</li><li>Jerry Harrison and Eric Thorngren (Talking Heads)

</li><li>Peter Katis

</li><li>Jimmy Boyle

</li><li>Kevin Bacon ( Axis Studios, recent credits include Jaimeson )

</li><li>Angel Mountain Studios

</li><li>Overtones

</li><li>Andy Strange ( recent credits include Robbie Williams )

</li><li>David Ives

</li><li>Bernard Butler

</li><li>Tony Hoffer ( Beck , Turin Breaks )

</li><li>Edwyn Collins

</li><li>Mick Jones

</li><li>The Libertines

</li><li>Mark 'Spike¹ Stent ( U2, Madonna, Oasis )

</li><li>Portishead

</li><li>Ken Nelson ( Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay )

</li><li>Dave Gilmour

</li><li>The Prodigy

</li><li>Hugh Jones

</li><li>Strong Room Studios

</li><li>Air Studios

</li><li>Mute Records

</li><li>Ross Hogarth - "Mondo distorto! dude, i like your box a lot...really liked the musicality of it!"

</li><li>San Francisco Soundworks

</li><li>“La Source” Mastering suite - Paris France

</li><li>Yves Jaget

</li><li>Bertrand Blais producer of Etienne Daho

</li><li>Wisseloord Mastering</li></ul>

Thermionic Culture Earlybird 2.2
Vacuum tube two-channel mic pre/EQ

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The Thermionic Culture Pullet is a passive equaliser originally designed to complement the Earlybird pre-amp. The Pullet will provide a variable Q boost at 11 frequencies of 21 dB and simultaneously a cut at 11 frequencies of 21dB. In addition high top can be boosted or cut with a shelving filter. The Earlybird will provide the gain makeup required after a line level signal has been passed through the pullets passive EQ network. This provides an excellent arrangement due to the fact that the passive EQ of the pullet gives full control over any midrange frequencies whilst the active EQ of the Earlybird can give a smooth sounding control over the bass and top frequencies. The fact is that passive EQ can give a much better result when radically boosting or cutting mid frequencies with a tight Q than active EQ can ever do. 
Its possible to boost a narrow band of midrange by 21dB with a musical sounding result using the pullets passive network whereas an active EQ may well start to sound harsh and begin to ring. 
The pullet has lately been re-designed in order to allow it to be used with any preamp available. The preamp will need to give between 38 to 40 dB of gain makeup and it ideally will have an input impedance of 1200 . A range of commercially available preamps have been used during testing of the pullet and all have given excellent results. 
The high input impedance (10k) of the Pullet means that it will give optimum performance when placed in a chain after any piece of equipment. 
The mid boost frequencies are: 
800 Hz 3.5 KHz 1.2 KHz 4.4 KHz 1.6 KHz 5 KHz 2 KHz 6.3 KHz 2.5 KHz 8.5 KHz 3 KHz 
The mid cut frequencies are: 
230 Hz 2 KHz 340 Hz 2.8 KHz 500 Hz 4 KHz 700 Hz 6 KHz 1 KHz 8 KHz 1.4 KHz 
The air control will shelve as a lift from 15 KHz, 12 KHz and 10 KHz. It will cut from 15 KHz, 11 KHz and 6 KHz.

Thermionic Culture Pullet
Stereo passive equalizer

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Originally designed as a "distortion box" to simulate distortion in valve amps, the Thermionic Culture Vulture has found lots of uses beyond this. We know that some owners use them on drum loops, vocals, piano sounds and even across entire tracks (it is a stereo unit). 
We have refined this so that distortion figures are reduced to only 0.2% at lowest to about 99.9% (at least that's what our distortion meter tells us!). Predominant distortion can be changed from even to odd harmonics with a simple switch. We know it's recently been rented to mix a JAMES BOND movie! 
Key Features: 
Warm sounds gently or create a noise like a 200 watt guitar stack with all the drivers slashed. Independent channel operation 
<UL>
<LI>Odd or even harmonic distortion, or combination of both. 
<LI>All valve design free from solid state additives. 
<LI>High impedance line input or instrument inputs. 
<LI>4 & 7 kHz filters 
<LI>Overdrive & bypass switches</LI></UL>
Some Cultured users...
 
Because of their unique blend of flexibility, musicality, and usability, brought about as a result of being hand-built by some of the worlds leading pro audio valve equipment designers and engineeers, Thermionic Culture products attract their fair share of high profile, industry leading producers and engineers from the world of recording technology. Here is just a handful - why not add your name to the list?
<UL>
<LI>Tony Maserati - Culture Vulture

<LI>Black Dog Productions - Earlybird 2.2, Pullet, Phoenix Mastering Compressor, Culture Vulture.

<LI>Al Schmitt - Phoenix

<LI>Big Life Music - Phoenix Master Compressor

<LI>Steve Dub Jones - Earlybird 2

<LI>The Dairy - Phoenix

<LI>Al Stone - Culture Vulture

<LI>ROBERT CARRANZA - PRODUCER FOR LOS LOBOS, SUPER GRASS, JACK JOHNSON - CULTURE VULTURE

<LI>PABLO MUNGUIA - ROBBIE WILLIAMS - PHOENIX & CULTURE VULTURE

<LI>STEPHEN STREET - KAISER CHIEFS - CULTURE VULTURE

<LI>JAMES FORD - PRODUCER - ARTIC MONKEYS - CULTURE VULTURE

<LI>GROOVE ARMADA - EARLYBIRD & CULTURE VULTURE MASTERING - " Both myself and Tom Findlay bought the Earlybird and the Culture Vulture Mastering, they're like your first mobile phone, once you've used them for a week you wondered how you ever liver without them!" Andy Cato - Groove Armada.

<LI>Larry Hammel - Producer, Deepwave Music Productions, Earlybird 2.2 and Phoenix

<LI>Peter Katis

<LI>Chemical Brothers - Culture Vulture Mastering MV & Phoenix 
"The vulture it distorts synths in a truly beautiful way-we used to acheive this effect thru a long,convoluted process now we can get this great sound at a flick of a switch!" - Tom Rowlands

<LI>Peter Gabriel - Real World Studios - Culture Vulture

<LI>Alan Moulder -Producer/Engineer The Jesus & Mary Chain, Swervedriver, My Bloody Valentine,Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails Downward Spiral, U2's Pop.

<LI>Mike Caffrey

<LI>Steve 'Dub' Jones - Engineer/Producer - Chemical Brothers, Madness. Culture Vulture Mastering MV & Phoenix

<LI>Tom Findlay - Groove Armada - Earlybird-2, Phoenix

<LI>Pietro Taucher - Engineer for Sharrie Williams

<LI>Paisley Park

<LI>Tie Dye Keith

<LI>Jerry Harrison and Eric Thorngren (Talking Heads)

<LI>Peter Katis

<LI>Jimmy Boyle

<LI>Kevin Bacon ( Axis Studios, recent credits include Jaimeson )

<LI>Angel Mountain Studios

<LI>Overtones

<LI>Andy Strange ( recent credits include Robbie Williams )

<LI>David Ives

<LI>Bernard Butler

<LI>Tony Hoffer ( Beck , Turin Breaks )

<LI>Edwyn Collins

<LI>Mick Jones

<LI>The Libertines

<LI>Mark 'Spike¹ Stent ( U2, Madonna, Oasis )

<LI>Portishead

<LI>Ken Nelson ( Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay )

<LI>Dave Gilmour

<LI>The Prodigy

<LI>Hugh Jones

<LI>Strong Room Studios

<LI>Air Studios

<LI>Mute Records

<LI>Ross Hogarth - "Mondo distorto! dude, i like your box a lot...really liked the musicality of it!"

<LI>San Francisco Soundworks

<LI>“La Source” Mastering suite - Paris France

<LI>Yves Jaget

<LI>Bertrand Blais producer of Etienne Daho

<LI>Wisseloord Mastering

Thermionic Culture Vulture
Highly-versatile and musical two-channel tube distortion unit - add subtle warmth, completely mangle sounds and everything in between

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This is the latest in the Culture Vulture range and is designed to be used both as a mastering tool and for those applications where balanced inputs and outputs are required plus some extreme distortion. It has lower noise, better frequency response, and greater accuracy in level controls by having a three-position input gain switch and a two-position output attenuator.We use Mullard M8100 low-noise, high-gain valves in the input stage, a pair of GE 5725s for distortion effects, and the Philips 5963 in the output. All are military-grade valves for long life. There is an extra exciting distortion setting on the Function switch. This is labelled P2.  It’s similar to P1 (the most used, Pentode setting) but goes into mad distortion and compression when the valve is overloaded. The old P2 is now P3. In addition to the line level transformer balanced output, there is a lower level unbalanced output which can be used to go to inputs that require low level or if one wants to avoid the distortion in the output transformer.Main advantages over previous versions:<ul><li>Transformer balanced inputs & outputs on stereo jacks</li><li>Large indented input Drive controls with 3 position switch</li><li>Indented Output level controls with attenuator switch</li><li>Four-position Function control for distortion “flavors”</li><li>Military-grade valves with longer life and low microphony, including matched 5725 distortion valves</li><li>Extended frequency response</li><li>Lower noise </li></ul>Specifications: Figures obtained with 1kHz signal, 0.25mA bias current, function at T, feeding a 10kΩ load. <ul><li>Maximum output level: +21dBu, 20% distortion</li><li>Distortion: 0.2% to 98%</li><li>Noise: 83dB below MOL</li><li>Input impedance: line - 20kΩ, DI: 50kΩ</li><li>Output impedance: Hi output: 2kΩ, Lo output: 4kΩ</li><li>Frequency response: +0.5dB/-1dB over 40Hz to 20kHz</li><li>Max gain: 76dB (P1, min bias)</li></ul> Valve Complement: <ul><li>Input: M8100 (equiv. CV4010*, 5591, EF95) x2</li><li>Output: 5963 (equiv. CV4003*, ECC82, 12AU7)</li><li>Distortion: 5725 (equiv. CV4011*, M8196, 6AS6) x2</li></ul> *CV is the British military equivalent to US JAN

Thermionic Culture Vulture Mastering Plus
Mastering-grade stereo valve distortion - transformer-balanced with detented controls

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The Thermionic Culture Rooster is a valve based design mic/line & DI pre-amp with
EQ and a distortion section based around the same 5725 valve used in
the ever-popular Culture Vulture. 
 Input Stage 
 The input stage uses a custom 1200-ohm input Sowter transformer and an ECC81/12AT7 valve. 
 EQ Section 
The neatly laid out EQ section has all the Boost or Lift controls on
the left, with a broad bass lift control, peaking at 60Hz, and a
selectable mid/high lift at 2.5k, 4k ("bell" shaped) and 7k (shelving)
respectively. All the Cut controls are on the left hand side, the mid
cut is 700Hz, the 6 position bass cut is straight off the Earlybird 2
pre-amp. There is also a switchable LPF ( low pass filter ). 
 'Attitude' Distortion Section 
The same 5725-distortion tube which is employed in the Culture Vulture
is used in the new Rooster. It offers a subtle distortion
characteristic in the triode position, more so than a Culture Vulture
due to the higher HT voltage, and so has a very low (about 0.01%)
distortion when the 'Attitude' control is set to 1. In the pentode mode
it generates more 3rd harmonic distortion. Distortion can be pretty
radical when the Attitude control is to 'Max' and the input is high. 
 Output Section 
The output valve is ECF80 which combines high output with low impedance
(less than 100 ohms). There is +48v phantom power, and phase reverse.
The output is unbalanced as standard but a balancing transformer option
that is used in the Culture Vulture Mastering will be available.

Thermionic Culture Rooster
Dual Mono Mic/Line/DI Preamp with balanced output

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Thermionic Culture Nightingale
Dual Channel Pre-Amp - Single Channel Compressor

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More than just a straight summing mixer, the Thermionic Culture Fat Bustard
 provides sound shaping possibilities too, with a simple yet powerful 
bass ( 50Hz ) and treble ( 10kHz ), Stereo Width and Depth controls, and
 the new ‘Attitude’ distortion section. The inputs are arranged as 4x 
stereo pairs and 4 mono, all with mutes, the mono inputs also have pan 
pots too. Two additional Aux inputs are provided for echo returns and 
the optional forthcoming Little Bustard 16 channel expander. 
 
New and Improved! 
The master section now includes a INT/EXT switch and a pair of 
associated rear mounted jack inputs for attaching a playback device to 
route through the monitor buss. This can also be used to check the 
effects of a Phoenix compressor that has been connected to the output of
 the Fat Bustard. The level of the EXT signal can be adjusted via the 
rear mounted trim pot. 
 
The Fat Bustard lives up to its name-guaranteeing Big Fat Sounds!

Thermionic Culture Fat Bustard MKII
12-channel tube summing mixer with Attitude

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The Thermionic Culture Phoenix Standby
 is virtually identical to the standard model but also includes 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 zero level meter adjusters have now been front to the 
front panel to make calibration easier and to avoid having to take the 
unit out of the rack 
 
The Phoenix Standby also includes the same side chain filter section 
from the Phoenix Mastering Compressor (MC). This side chain filter 
provides 75Hz & 150Hz, but more permutations are possible when the 
MC is used in stereo mode with the link switch engaged. So, this model 
has the same higher gain structure as the standard model, which means it
 can slam more than the Mastering model, which makes it more useful for 
individual tracking or mixing functions, but adds the extra versatility 
of having one of the best two bus compressors available for your stereo 
bus due to the chain filters. 
 
Features 
<ul><li>All valve design for greater presence and naturality</li><li>Completely free from solid state additives</li><li>Transparent compression</li><li>Punchy when pushed</li><li>Drive it hard for compression effects and distortion</li><li>Absolutely flat frequency response over entire audio range and beyond</li><li>Minimal phase shift giving a crisp and warm sound</li></ul>

Thermionic Culture Phoenix SB Side Chain
Stereo tube compressor with side chain filters and standby switch

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Thermionic Culture have released a new version of the Mastering valve compressor, the Thermionic Culture Phoenix Mastering Plus. The classic 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. Following on from 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.

Thermionic Culture Phoenix Mastering Plus
Stereo valve compressor for mastering applications

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With the Thermionic Culture Vulture Solo there is more of a focus
 on use with guitar and bass DI / amplifier front end applications but 
the unit also retains all the useful features for line level 
applications that previous models, including the Limited Edition Culture
 Vulture, offered. 
 
The Culture Vulture Solo is a single channel unit in a 2U 19" rack 
chassis. It features the ability to switch, via the front panel or a 
dedicated foot-switch, between the Clean and Dirty channels. 
 
The Clean channel is an active channel that provides up to 35dB variable
 gain to an instrument level signal with a flat but warm sounding 
frequency response. 
 
The Dirty channel has the Vultures Drive, Distortion type, Bias controls
 found on a standard Culture Vulture. It also features the PQ positions 
found on a Limited Edition Culture Vulture and the two Squash positions 
found on the Mastering and Limited Edition Culture Vultures. The Dirty 
channel has a brand new Presence control and a more control over the 
amount of LPF available. 
 
The rear input connector of the Culture Vulture Solo is unbalanced and semi-floating for improved integration with a DAW setup. 
 
Thermionic Culture believes that the Culture Vulture Solo has a greater 
range in the tonality that can be applied to mono instrument signals 
than ever before, providing any signal with warm sounding gain or 
infinitely adjustable amounts of saturation, distortion and bite. 
 
The valve complement of the Culture Vulture Solo is: 
<ul><li>1 ECC83 double triode</li><li>1 5725 / 6AS6 single pentode</li><li>1 12DW7 / ECC832 double triode  </li></ul>

Thermionic Culture Vulture Solo
Single-channel version of the acclaimed tube distortion unit

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