KV2 Audio 500 Series
KV2 Audio has announced the launch of the 500 Series range of high quality processors which, for the first time ever, are available directly from KV2’s online store. The range comprises three models; the TCL thermo-compressor/limiter; the QD8 stereo 8-band master EQ with line driver; and the MPA microphone preamplifier.
The TCL is a unique analog thermo audio compressor featuring a superior natural RMS detector and dynamic voice bass enhancement control. In another KV2 first, its patented design offers an exceptionally musical and natural compression that is a component part of its real-time input, rather than a typical side-fed gain reduction circuit attempting to either follow or anticipate compression demands. Its additional Bass balance control circuit allows the user to smooth out and minimise any proximity effects from a changing microphone position, giving the perfect voice color to every performance, from beginning to end. Featuring source intelligent attack and release times, whatever the dynamic content, with just a few simple steps the results from the 500 Series TCL are truly exceptional.
QD8 is a revolutionary George Krampera 8-band stero equaliser specifically designed to highlight a desired band without adversely affecting the overall sonic landscape. Whilst not intended for tuning out room modes, the frequency bands and filter types have been precisely chosen after extensive research, to perfectly align with the science of human hearing and our perception of achieving the ultimate spectral balance. In a live scenario, faced with a number of different sources, program types, or performance genres at a festival or concert, the equaliser is very musical, intuitive and provides an exceptionally quick way to shape any mixed content to the sound you want to hear. In the studio, it can be either the simple enhancement of an instrument/vocal track, or the final mastering polish to take an ordinary mix and make it something very special.
The MPA is a very high definition microphone and musical instrument preamplifier with Class-A circuitry and a high quality transformer balanced output. A stepped input gain selector is provided for easy and precise repeatability of settings. The preamplifier features adjustable high and low pass filters, with an adjustable limiter to control clip level and a transformer isolated high impedance line input. It also has a further auxiliary transformer balanced isolated output, meaning a number of these units can be used together to create a multi-channel stage preamp for splitting FOH and monitoring outputs, or for broadcast and recording duties - delivering them all through line drivers in pristine audio quality. Phase reverse and an in-built headphone amplifier, which doubles up as a third output, completes the rich feature set. With the exceptional quality of all KV2’s analog outboard electronics, the MPA can replace a preamplifier, DI-box/Splitter, line driver and headphone amplifier all in one box.
Andreas Hammerich, Director, Technical Production Management & Sound Designer for the Germany musical theatre production company Stage Entertainment, was able to test the new devices in a colleague’s studio and was thoroughly impressed with the results. “The compressor and the EQ are the finest sound shaping devices I have heard so far,” he says. “The most impressive quality of the compressor is the way it takes the annoying, “ear pressuring” part away without changing the natural sound of the voice. And it sounds totally transparent, there are no audible artefacts at all. For me they make all other compressors redundant - unless you particularly require certain audible colours or effects, of course.”
For the EQ, Hammerich noted the astonishing speed with which he was able to make improvements to his mix or particular problem signals. “You get insanely quick results. I would particularly recommend it as a live master mix EQ or Mastering EQ, but also as an insert for “difficult” signals in a live mix, like upright bass, vocals (!), cello, maybe even drums/overhead mics.”
Finally, he was delighted with the mic preamp, as was his colleague Wolfram, one of the most experienced engineers in German recording history. “Wolfram joked that he was literally ready to sell his mic preamp collection and replace it with these – at least until the MPAs get popular and the collection is worth something!” says Hammerich. “For me, I don’t think there is a better mic preamp anywhere – I was expecting the audio quality to be superb as I already use a VHD preamp from KV2 that I love, and MPA didn’t disappoint. It was clearer with more distinct high frequencies and closer to the original than any other unit we tested it against. I can tell, because I listened to KV2’s ES10 speakers which are able to reproduce this level of detail.”