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SKU
109854
Retro Instruments 175B Compressor - Vintage King Edition
Retro Instruments' famed 175-B compressor featuring the original circuit designed by Bill Putnam in 1961 - made in collaboration with Vintage King
Product Description
This recreation of the classic compressor, the Retro Instruments 175B - Vintage King Edition is sold exclusively through Vintage King. While the new compressor uses the same chassis as Retro Instrument’s beloved 176, our collaboration birthed a more purest incarnation of this classic. For this edition, Retro Instrument’s has returned the 175-B to its original circuit as designed by Bill Putnam in 1961 and it sounds absolutely incredible.
When Bill Putnam began designing the 175-B, he set out to create something that was designed specifically for the recording studio. Previously, there were really only limiters and compressors for radio stations and mastering studios. With the 108 mic pre as the foundation, Putnam would ultimately create the 175-B, the grandfather to arguably the most famous compressor ever made, the 1176.
The 175-B had something special though. It’s huge and clear sounding tube circuitry and aggressive nature made it a favorite of many engineers on drums, guitars, and vocals. It can take lots of gain reduction while still sounding huge, smooth and super exciting.
This new version of the 175-B closely follows the specs of the original, as it features the same tube complement and has custom designed transformers to match the specs of the originals. The input and output controls feature 21 position Swiss-made Elma stepped attenuators for input and output controls with fine tune vernier controls to adjust level in between steps. The 175-B also features a VU Meter, switchable between Input, Output and Gain Reduction. The unit’s input and output connections are balanced XLR on the rear and true to the original there are front panel patch jacks for I/O included (TRS), but not connected (Functionality by special order).
Imagine the tube warmth and smooth compression of the 175-B on your next recording or mix session. They work great in pairs as well and are sold with factory tube matching and custom 1ru link panel for those wanting to use them on their 2 bus mix or on stereo sources.
If you’ve been looking to add the sonic characteristics of the classic 175-B to your studio, without the maintenance concerns and extremely high price of excellent condition vintage examples, then this new Retro Instruments/Vintage King collaboration could be just the thing you are looking for.
Product Specifications
| Condition | New |
|---|
Product Reviews
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It’s perfect!
Use it on vocal tracking as a tone shaper
While dialing the attack to 3 o’clock, get more weight on vocal, get more warmth in air. And the release time can alter the brightness in a natural way, too. even just bypass (off mode) the tone colour mojo is lovely. -
Both Retro and Vintage King are awesome for doing this piece. It’s one of those units you’ll wish you got when you could! Sounds amazing and looks so good in the rack. Get it!
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I purchased the VK Retro 175b to use mostly as a dedicated voice compressor. The music I work on is heavily influenced by 60’s pop records out of the LA studios like Western Recorders. Things like Nancy & Lee, Mamas & Papas, Brian Wilson etc... I found an original Bill Putnam manual for the 175b where he writes gain reduction should be around -3 for most material & peaks at -5. When you follow his instructions the compressor is a very pleasant sound on voice. It adds a little weight and “sound.” I find it not very useful on things with low end information like drum kit or bass. I am happy with it. It’s very sensitive and can distort very easily. Hope this helps anyone considering this compressor!
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I’ve owned two of the originals over the years- they were magical but temperamental. Aside from being rock solid reliable, this unit is a bit more versatile- works well on a larger range of situations-
A+ 👍 -
Mixing vocal with 175b and sounds great every time. Amazing. j
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Sounds great on vocals and bass. I use it on every session.
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Just received the Retro Instruments 175 B, beautiful replica, the attention to detail is fantastic! The sound is amazing as the original version (we own one). The clarity and smoothness that it gives to the vocals is great, also very good for bass guitar.
Thank you Vintage King, waiting for other reissues! -
Great sound !
make us magic !
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Related Blog Posts
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Vintage King And Retro Instruments Team Up For Exclusive 175-B Co...
11.10.2018Read More
Vintage King wanted to create something special to celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, so we teamed up with our friends at Retro Instruments to release a reproduction of the 175-B compressor. There will only be 150 of these limited edition 175-B recreations available worldwide and they will be sold exclusively through Vintage King.
Why bring back the 175-B? Simple. It’s a classic compressor that has been a staple since its release. Designed by Bill Putnam, the product was created to make up for the lack of compressors created specifically for recording studios. It’s huge and clear sounding tube circuitry and aggressive nature has made it a favorite of many engineers on drums, guitars and vocals. Continue reading → -
Buyer's Guide: Compressors/Limiters
05.23.2019Read More
Compressors and limiters are some of the most important and versatile tools that any audio engineer can use. Virtually every modern recording uses compression somewhere in the chain of tracking, mixing, and mastering. This ubiquity makes them valuable but also creates confusion when considering the many choices in the marketplace. To help straighten that out, we’ll discuss the main types of compressors and the terminology that explains their usage.
The purpose of a compressor is to even out the audio signal in order to tame loud transients and bring up lower amplitude material. Compressors were born out of necessity to fill that very straightforward role, to protect radio transmitters from overly hot signals, and to keep recordings in a narrower dynamic range that was easier to reproduce on tape or record. Continue reading →
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