Hello World! I finally had some time for studio spring cleaning as well as posting my 1st item for sale on Reverb! Be sure to save my page as there will more to follow!

The first Item up for sale is the amazing but underated..

SSL VHD+ Pre (500 Series) – Authentic Duality Console Circuit

• MINT Condition
• Never racked - As New (open box)
• Original Box/manual/packing material
• Originally purchased from Sweetwater Sound

I bought this MIC PRE with plans to build a custom 500 series lunchbox but ending going with a 19" rack mounted Channel strip instead.

My loss, your gain! Pun intended!

It's the distortion circuit for me...

More about 2nd/3rd order Harmonic distortion:

Imagine your vocalist hitting a note at 200 Hz:

• Clean preamp: mostly 200 Hz.
• With 2nd-order harmonics: adds 400 Hz → perceived as warmth and richness.
• With 3rd-order harmonics: adds 600 Hz → perceived as presence and density.
• With both blended carefully: the vocal sounds larger, fuller, and more engaging without necessarily sounding distorted.

2nd-order harmonics add warmth

• They generate frequencies that are musically related to the original note (an octave above).
• The ear tends to perceive them as smooth, sweet, and "tube-like."

3rd-order harmonics add presence and density

• These create additional overtones that make a source feel more forward and focused.
• They can add a sense of punch and detail without simply turning up the volume.

Harmonics increase perceived loudness

• Even when peak levels stay the same, added harmonics make a signal seem louder and more substantial.

They fill out the frequency spectrum

• Harmonics create extra frequency content above the fundamental note.
• The result is a sound that feels richer and more complex rather than thin or sterile.

Adds character and depth

• Harmonic generation introduces subtle coloration that many listeners associate with classic analog recordings.

2nd-order harmonics = warmth, thickness, sweetness
3rd-order harmonics = punch, edge, presence
Blending both = a fuller, richer, more "finished" analog sound.

* Babyface (11-time Grammy winner): Uses an SSL Duality console in his studio production workflow.

* Wez Clarke (Grammy-winning mix engineer): Known for work with Beyoncé, Clean Bandit, and Craig David, utilizing the SSL Duality.

* Ann Mincieli (Grammy-winning engineer for Alicia Keys): Installed an SSL Duality console in her studio.

* Rafa Sardina (Multi-Latin Grammy-winning producer): Utilizes the Duality console as part of his sonic workflow.

The VHD+ Pre is a versatile, high-performance tool for any engineer’s 500 Series rack. It features the exact Variable Harmonic Drive (VHD) circuit found in SSL’s flagship Duality console. This allows you to move seamlessly from ultra-clean SuperAnalogue transparency to rich, harmonic tube-style warmth or aggressive, transistor-driven grit—all within a single module.

Key Features:

* Authentic Duality Console VHD Circuit: Direct access to the harmonic shaping technology used in SSL’s flagship large-format consoles.

* SuperAnalogue-Grade Mic Preamp: Delivers +75 dB of clean, high-headroom gain.

* Switchable VHD: Fully controllable 2nd-order, 3rd-order, or blended harmonic distortion for precise tonal shaping.

* Variable LF Filter: 15 Hz – 500 Hz (defeatable high-pass) for effective low-end management.

* Hi-Z Input: Switchable impedance (1.2 kΩ to 10 kΩ) for optimal performance with various microphones and instruments.

* Integrated Output Trim: –20 to +20 dB for precise level control after VHD processing.

* Professional Controls: 48V phantom power, –20 dB PAD, and phase invert.

* I/O: XLR (mic input) and 1/4" (line/instrument/DI input).

Professional

The VHD+ Pre brings the core sonic philosophy of SSL’s large-format consoles into a compact, 500 Series format. By utilizing the VHD circuit derived from the Duality console, this module provides the same harmonic versatility and pristine signal path that top engineers rely on to craft professional, modern recordings.