Thermionic Culture

Following on from the phenomenal success of The Fat Bustard summing mixer whose features include Attitude, EQ, stereo width, and of course a big fat sound, we find there’s a demand for a similar warm sounding summing mixer with more channels at a lower price, keeping the unique Attitude control.This new unit utilises the same input circuit and Attitude section as the Fat Bustard, using the same type twin triode valves.Instead of having eqs and Stereo Spread, etc., there is only the “AIR” control which works on the very high end.  Because the unit contains no solid state in the audio path, the use of this control will enhance the sound with a lovely velvety sheen typical of the best all-valve equipment with none of the harshness found in some solid state units.The output stage is very similar to that of The Fat Bustard, except that for reasons of space and heat, smaller double triodes are employed.   All valves are “mil spec” NOS types.  The max output level is still well above +20 dBv, adequate for any DAW.All inputs and outputs are on XLRs, with inputs “semi floating” and outputs unbalanced.  A balancing box containing 2 Sowter transformers is available if required at additional cost.Front panel :There are 8 toggle switches to switch in pairs of channels, and 2 more toggles to switch channels 13,14,15 & 16 to make 4 mono channels.   AIR, a rotary pot, ATTITUDE, a 6 position switch, and a matched pair of pots controlling output levels.    There’s also a mains power switch and of course the Little Red Bustard’s eyes light up and go bloodshot as the sound gets louder!Futures :All valve 16 input summing mixer;Each pair of inputs has its own on/off switch;Inputs 13 to 16 can be switched to centre;Attitude control adds musical 2nd harmonics;Air control increases high top end without solid state harshness;Frequency response extends well above and below audio range;Easily enough output to drive your DAW and very low noise;All inputs are “semi-floating” on XLRs;Outputs are unbalanced. A separate Balancing Box is an optional extra;Shares the same natural warmth as the Fat Bustard;Extremely low distortion (< 0.1%) before Attitude is added.

This Special Limited Edition Fat Bustard II is introduced for those purists who want the facilities of the Fat Bustard summing mixer (special equalisation for the mix, stereo width, bass to centre) but a little less colourisation and even lower distortion and noise, though not as much max “Attitude”. The top response now extends to 50+ kHz with consequently less phase shift.It uses 12AY7 double triode input valves in place of 5965s. Both Fat Bustards have exactly the same 14 inputs, and same controls. The black more Aggressive Fat Bustard continues to be made, so the user has a choice until all the Green ones have been sold. Both are the same price.The updated version  of the hugely popular Fat Bustard  now includes in master section 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.More than just a straight summing mixer, this new offering 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. The Fat Bustard lives up to its name-guaranteeing Big Fat Sounds Specifications:Input Impedance:8 kohm + (dependant on channel and setting), unbalancedOutput Impedance:600 ohms, unbalancedGain (ch. 1-8):0 at Attitude 1, + 15dB at Max AttitudeMaximum Output Level (MOL)+ 26 dBuDistortion : (at Att 1) 0.015% +8dBm output (at Att 3) 0.22% (at Att Max) 1+ % (dependent on how hard input valves are driven)Signal to noise (IEC weighted) 100dB below MOL (at Attitude 1)Frequency response +/-0.5 dB 9Hz to 30kHz (at Attitude 1)Max Bass Lift +11dB @ 50 HzMax Top Lift +12.5dB @ 10kHzAll audio connectors XLR wired pin 2 signal, 1&3 earthValve complement 2 x 5965, 2 x 6SN7, 1 x 12AU7

Aνανεωμένη έκδοση του κλασικού πια Fat Bustard, με ενσωματωμένο INT/EXT διακόπτη στο master section και ένα ζευγάρι από αντίστοιχα jack inputs για σύνδεση ενός playback device που μπορεί να γίνει route στο monitor buss. Αυτό μπορεί χρησιμοποιηθεί και για να γίνει έλεγχος του σήματος ενός Phoenix compressor που έχει συνδεθεί στο output του Fat Bustard. Η στάθμη του σήματος EXT μπορεί να ρυθμιστεί με ένα trim pot.Το Fat Bustard είναι κάτι παραπάνω από ένα απλό mixer, παρέχοντας δυνατότητες διαμόρφωσης του ήχου με χειριστήρια bass και high cut και lift, καθώς και δυνατότητα ανοίγματος της στερεοφωνικής εικόνας. Οι είσοδοι είναι κατανεμημένες σε 4 stereo, 4 mono όλες με διακόπτη mute και οι mono με pan pots.Τεχνικά ΧαρακτηριστικάInput Impedance:8 kohm + (dependant on channel and setting), unbalancedOutput Impedance:600 ohms, unbalancedGain (ch. 1-8):0 at Attitude 1, + 15dB at Max AttitudeMaximum Output Level (MOL)+ 26 dBuDistortion : (at Att 1) 0.015% +8dBm output (at Att 3) 0.22% (at Att Max) 1+ % (dependent on how hard input valves are driven)Signal to noise (IEC weighted) 100dB below MOL (at Attitude 1)Frequency response +/-0.5 dB 9Hz to 30kHz (at Attitude 1)Max Bass Lift +11dB @ 50 HzMax Top Lift +12.5dB @ 10kHzAll audio connectors XLR wired pin 2 signal, 1&3 earthValve complement 2 x 5965, 2 x 6SN7, 1 x 12AU7

Following on from the phenomenal success of The Fat Bustard summing mixer whose features include Attitude, EQ, stereo width, and of course a big fat sound, we find there’s a demand for a similar warm sounding summing mixer with more channels at a lower price, keeping the unique Attitude control. Enter The Purple Bustard.This new unit utilises the same input circuit and Attitude section as the Fat Bustard, using the same type twin triode valves.Instead of having eqs and Stereo Spread, etc., there is only the “AIR” control which works on the very high end.  Because the unit contains no solid state in the audio path, the use of this control will enhance the sound with a lovely velvety sheen typical of the best all-valve equipment with none of the harshness found in some solid state units.The output stage is very similar to that of The Fat Bustard, except that for reasons of space and heat, smaller double triodes are employed.   All valves are “mil spec” NOS types.  The max output level is still well above +20 dBv, adequate for any DAW. All inputs and outputs are on XLRs, with inputs “semi floating” and outputs unbalanced.  A balancing box containing 2 Sowter transformers is available if required at additional cost.Front panel:There are 8 toggle switches to switch in pairs of channels, and 2 more toggles to switch channels 13,14,15 & 16 to make 4 mono channels.   AIR, a rotary pot, ATTITUDE, a 6 position switch, and a matched pair of pots controlling output levels.    There’s also a mains power switch and of course The Purpl Bustard’s eyes light up and go bloodshot as the sound gets louder!The frequency response goes well above and below audio range until the Attitude is set to at or near max, similarly other specs are practically the same as The Fat Bustard, except cross-talk, phase shift and signal to noise are slightly better as there is no eq. etc. Features:All valve 16 input summing mixer;Each pair of inputs has its own on/off switch;Inputs 13 to 16 can be switched to centre;Attitude control adds musical 2nd harmonics;Air control increases high top end without solid state harshness;Frequency response extends well above and below audio range;Easily enough output to drive your DAW and very low noise;All inputs are “semi-floating” on XLRs;Outputs are unbalanced. A separate Balancing Box is an optional extra;Shares the same natural warmth as the Fat Bustard;Extremely low distortion (< 0.1%) before Attitude is added.