Dual Transformer & Diode Clipper Box - Neve - Marinair - Carnhill Styled transformer distortion unit

Custom hand crafted in England 


Available as shown with a black case but can also be supplied in silver 

These units are based on a custom 1960s design as used in many units and made most popular in guitar effects.  The first units i am aware of were possibly used by Joe Meek in his studio in the 60s where he built various odd effects units which were very unique at the time

This version has a blend/drive audio level control on each channel.  This allows you to adjust the signal going into the diode clipper circuits.  From a soft to hard drive.  Really useful to help fine tune the clip levels where the diodes start to kick in



These are a totally passive design requiring no power supply.  The transformers give a 1:1 ratio and when the diodes are switched in and clipping triggers you get a signal loss depending on clipping amounts.  You can use any make-up gain stage after this to get back any loss.  


 
Neve, Marinair Carhill styled transformer box.  These transformers are designed to give a high level signal with excellent sound quality. Spec on this is to give a slight step up to be able to drive the diode distortion network from a very low level if required.

Unique design and well featured for such a small footprint unit.  Fully balanced in/out with TRS 1/4" sockets and hard bypass fitted to A/B the signal.  Can be run as a transformer only colour box with the diodes disabled or switched in to 4 different diode options on each channel.

  1. Diodes off using just the transformer in the signal
  2. Vintage Germanium diodes  -  Classic very rounded signal and huge crunch/clip at lower levels
  3. Shottkey diodes - Very similar to the Germanium but with a faster speed
  4. Silicon diodes for a more modern squarer sound
  5. LED requiring a higher level to trigger the "threshold"
  6. Diodes off using just the transformer in the signal 

When in transformer mode only you get around a 5dB step-up in gain into a 10k ohm load.  Great for a bit of free passive gain.
You then have a multi way switch to select diode types

When switching the diodes into the chain you will get some serious clipping, distortion and compression so you will then require some make-up gain in your next stage.   Very unique unit offering a nice clean transformer sound to dirty and crunch!!





I have seen similar to these being used for mastering and with great results too

Also available as a diode clipper only without transformers if required.  Lower cost option


The idea here is to "change" and colour signals. Each unit we build will have unique specs and workings so a great way of getting unique changes to recordings.  These are designed to handle quite high levels before maxing out so can sound very clean too and are also perfect as hum eliminator and balanced to unbalanced, unbalanced to balanced convertors