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Heritage Audio BritStrip Channel Strip with Diode Bridge Compressor

1-channel Channel Strip with 73-style Preamp, 3-band Inductor EQ, Diode-bridge Compressor, 24-step Detented Output, and Stereo Link
$1,999.00

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Heritage Audio BritStrip Channel Strip with Diode Bridge Compressor
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A British-flavored Money Channel for Your Studio

The Heritage Audio BritStrip combines a 73-style preamp, British-style EQ, and diode-bridge compressor into a vibe-infused, single-rackspace unit. This channel strip boasts a transparent passive design to minimize insertion loss, with top-level components to ensure the best sound possible. The BritStrip’s preamp delivers a classic “British Iron” sound with up to +80dB of input gain, and its 3-band EQ nails the sonics and behavior of revered British-style units. And when you fire up its compressor, your tracks will gain a studio-quality polish, with incredible weight and color. The BritStrip’s 24-step detented output provides rock-solid stereo imaging when using the built-in stereo link to pair it with another unit. If you’re in need of an amazing-sounding analog front end for your DAW, Sweetwater highly recommends the BritStrip from Heritage Audio.

73-style preamp section delivers classic “British Iron”

The BritStrip’s preamp section is based around a 3-stage Class A 73-style circuit. High-quality components such as Styroflex and tantalum capacitors ensure top-level sound, while Carnhill transformers inject everything you run through it with a healthy dose of “British Iron.” Up to +80dB of input gain is enough to satisfy your output-hungry dynamic and ribbon mics, while selectable input impedance tailors the BritStrip’s input stage to your low-output microphones. And extra-loud sources will benefit from a -20dB pad. You also get +48V phantom power for your condenser mics, a problem-solving polarity reverse function, and a line-level mode that makes re-amping pre-recorded tracks a breeze. At Sweetwater, we’ve used this function to add vibe and character to clinical-sounding recordings. The BritStrip’s preamp section also includes a high-impedance JFET DI input that’s guaranteed to add muscle to your bass and guitar tracks.

EQ section includes three bands of tone shaping

British-style inductor equalizers are easily the industry’s most revered, and the BritStrip’s EQ nails the sonics and behavior of these legendary units. This characterful 3-band EQ injects your tracks with clarity, sheen, warmth, punch, and air using the classic curves that you’ve heard on countless studio recordings. The high band includes +/-16dB of shelving, selectable at 10kHz, 12kHz, or 16kHz. The low band includes +/-16dB of shelving, selectable at 60Hz, 110Hz, or 220Hz. Both the high band and low band have selectable shelving/peak filter types. The semi-parametric mid band includes +/-18dB of peaking with switchable Q, selectable at 0.36kHz, 0.7 kHz, 1.6 kHz, 3.2 kHz, 4.8 kHz, or 7.2kHz. You also get a highpass filter, selectable at 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, or 300Hz. No matter what you run through it, the BritStrip’s EQ is guaranteed to make it sound its best.

Diode-bridge compressor section yields colorful dynamics

Like it was plucked from the heart of a British-style console, the BritStrip’s compression section reins in out-of-control dynamics, while infusing your tracks with muscular weight and ear-pleasing color. This comp boasts a tried-and-true diode-bridge topology, along with an impressive array of engineer-friendly features. Dialing in the BritStrip’s compressor is a cinch, thanks to intuitive controls for threshold and makeup gain. A button lets you toggle your attack speed between ultra-fast (great for slamming drums) and slow (ideal for gluing a mix together) with a single touch of your finger. Release values range from 50ms to 400ms, plus you get a super-useful automatic mode. A sidechain filter makes it easy to keep excessive frequencies from unbalancing your mix, and a blend control supplies dead-simple parallel compression. You also get an external sidechain input and a top-quality gain reduction meter. To top it off, the BritStrip’s compressor can be inserted before or after its EQ.

Heritage Audio BritStrip Features:

  • 1-channel British-flavored channel strip with preamplifier, equalizer, and compressor
  • Transparent passive design minimizes insertion loss
  • 24-step detented output provides rock-solid stereo imaging when using the built-in stereo link
  • 73-style preamp delivers a classic “British Iron” sound with up to +80dB of input gain
  • Selectable input impedance adapts to your low-output microphones
  • -20dB pad accommodates extra-loud sources
  • +48V phantom power for your condenser microphones
  • Polarity reverse function solves phase-alignment issues
  • Line-level mode makes re-amping prerecorded tracks a breeze
  • High-impedance JFET DI input for electric guitars and basses
  • 3-band inductor EQ nails the sonics and behavior of revered British-style units
  • High band includes +/-16dB of shelving, selectable at 10kHz, 12kHz, or 16kHz
  • Low band includes +/-16dB of shelving, selectable at 60Hz, 110Hz, or 220Hz
  • High and low bands have selectable shelving/peak filter types
  • Semi-parametric mid band includes +/-18dB of peaking with switchable Q, selectable at 0.36kHz, 0.7 kHz, 1.6 kHz, 3.2 kHz, 4.8 kHz, or 7.2kHz
  • Highpass filter, selectable at 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, or 300Hz, makes short work of muddy sources
  • Diode-bridge compressor reins in out-of-control dynamics while adding weight and color
  • Intuitive controls for threshold and makeup gain make dialing in your settings easy
  • Attack speed toggles between ultra-fast (great for slamming drums) and slow (ideal for gluing a mix together)
  • Release values range from 50ms to 400ms, plus you get a super-useful automatic mode
  • Sidechain filter makes it easy to keep excessive frequencies from unbalancing your mix
  • Blend control supplies dead-simple parallel compression

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Tech Specs

  • Preamp Type: Solid State
  • Number of Channels: Single Channel
  • Phantom Power: Yes
  • Pads: -10dB
  • Polarity Switch: Yes
  • EQ: 3-band EQ (High, Mid, Low), Highpass Filter
  • Compressor: Diode Bridge Compressor
  • Frequency Response: 15Hz- 30Khz (±0.5dB)
  • Analog Inputs: 2 x XLR (Line, Mic), 1 x 1/4" (DI)
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x RCA (Link)
  • Other I/O: 2 x 1/4" (Sidechain Send, Sidechain Return), 1 x 1/4" (Thru)
  • Rack Spaces: 1U
  • Power Source: External Power Supply with IEC AC cable (included)
  • Manufacturer Part Number: BritStrip

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Blown Away!!

Started with 1 unit, loved the way the 73 style unit warmed everything up while adding crazy punch! Had to purchase a second one a week later cause i love them that much! Well worth the price.
Music background: Audio Producer / Recording Engineer
Rated 5/5

Had that feeling of déjà vu from my favorite Recordings

I've had this unit for about a week and it is my first piece of outboard gear. I tracked through this unit with an Austrian Audio OC818 and a Slate ML1 (Mainly for comparison) as well as processed tracks previously recorded with the Slate ML1 and Virtual Preamp/Mic. I have to say this preamp is a drastic change sonically giving everything you put through it weight and richness, both of which don't mean anything but after experiencing you find yourself saying. I now know this as that famous "Ne**" sound (Can I say it? Maybe I should refer to it as "British"). I've had the feeling of déjà vu multiple times like I was sitting in the recording of some of my favorite songs on the radio (Does the Radio still exist?). It feels like you are in the room with each recording put through it.

With that being said I have never heard a real "British" Preamp so I am not an expert on the sound. This unit does have it's own "sound". I was curious how this would compare to the Silver Bullet as a line-level processor so I strapped Access Analog across a lifeless track to compare the two. I have to say with and without different configurations including EQ ON/Off, Compressor ON/Off, High Pass Filter ON/OFF as a line-level processor the Silver Bullet achieved a very similar tone but was a bit more detailed IMO. I think this is the nature of the design as one is purported to be "50 YEARS OF ANALOG DESIGN IN ONE RACK SPACE." and the other created to "INFUSE MISSING ANALOG MOJO INTO YOUR YOUR DIGITAL WORLD" so I think the Heritage Audio Brit Strip delivers on exactly what it purports. Additionally, how it operates as a line-level processor is not a full representation of how it sounds as a Mic Preamp.



All in all, this is a great channel strip especially if you want that Vintage "British" sound with modern updates. I would highly recommend it for anyone recording acoustic instruments and vocals. As much of what I record is digital other than vocals, I'm still determining if the particular sound of this unit is what I want. It still deserves a 5-star review IMO.
Music background: Producer/Musician/Artist
Rated 5/5

Fantastic

This is a fantastic channel strip. Beautiful preamp, fantastic eq and compressor. I love the added versatility they've included with the eq and compressor. It has the same soul as the "vintage" gear that inspired the units, but with updates that make them more versatile. It's a win/win; you get that old school tried and true sound with some more modern capabilities.

The preamp has that thick, clear, smooth, flattering sound. The compressor is easy to dial in, incredibly flexible, has a good amount of color but not overbearingly so. The eq is smooth, hard to make sound bad, and very flexible.

This is a fantastic Swiss army knife analog front end for tracking. If you want a top-tier piece of gear at a respectable price given what's included, this is your horse. Highly satisfied with my purchase and I highly recommend it to others.
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