HRK CS566 Channel Strip 1 of 2

These channel strips are so good and sound so amazing! I completely remodeled and rearranged my studio, and consequently my workflow changed quite a bit. I am unloading some gear so that I can be a little more efficient. These channel strips are in great shape, and they have lived in the same 500 lunchboxes since the day I bought them. I am getting rid of four of them, and this is sale 1 of 2.

SPECIFICATIONS

CS566 | Analog Swiss-Army Tool for Your Recording Studio The CS566 is an Ultimate Analog Studio Processor dedicated to Professional Music Producers and Audio Engineers.

The CS566 is a result of the Extensive Development Process. The circuitry of each stage was carefully tweaked to produce bespoke performance.

The CS566 has independent +/-12dB input-output level controls to match a source signal level and the sensitivity of the following processing studio hardware in the signal chain.

The Custom Discrete Opamp VCA Compressor relates to the classic discrete VCA modules used in the '70s and '80s.

The CS566 compressor provides extensive control over the signal dynamics envelope while enabling straightforward operation.

The HRK Solid State Drive Console Emulator is a result of a completely new design approach to Analog Saturation and Harmonics Generation.

The CS566 features Four Band Equaliser. Each Band has two frequency settings.

The Augmented HRK Active Transformer adds the final touch to the processed signal by injecting additional harmonics and forming the frequency response of the classic transformer output stage.

The CS566 is a compact and easy to use a line level Channel Strip featuring all essential tools for Tracking and Mastering.

Custom HRK VCA Compressor with a Discrete Opamp

The SSL G-Series console master bus compressor was the iconic compressor used in large SSL studio mixing desks.

The original design of the G-SSL compressor was based on the dbx discrete VCA modules, characteristic for their look of black, silver and golden box.

Unfortunately, all currently made G-SSL compressors use the Integrated Circuit VCA, not discrete VCA modules. The use of the IC is easier and cheaper, especially for mass-produced products.

HRK has developed the custom hybrid discrete version of the VCA block, made with NOS Military Grade transistors from the ’80s. The HRK design is not a copy of the dbx module.

The HRK VCA Compressor is unique when compared to effectively all VCA compressors available on the market.

In reality, the only way to make a VCA compressor is to use the THAT2181 chip produced by the THAT Corp. This means, that all G-SSL clones and variants are built using the same part.

The HRK VCA Compressor delivers a tone which much closer to the iconic sound from the ’80s because of the custom design and genuine NOS discrete transistors.

Solid State Drive | Console Emulator

The HRK Solid State Drive is a Studio Console Emulator that produces selected harmonics specific for a Large Format Mixing Desk.

The Solid State Drive is not a simple overdrive or saturation circuit. Harmonics added by the Console Emulator block are smooth and subtle but quite audibly present at the same time.

The Solid State Drive is a result of a long development process aimed to recreate the experience of the Studio Recording Console.

The Solid State Drive also works as the HF Enhancer for the VCA Compressor. The HF signal before the compressor is processed by the Console Emulator and reintroduced to the post compressor signal.

The Solid State Drive and the VCA Compressor should be used in conjunction to achieve great results for tracking, mastering or any other studio application.

NOS Military Grade Transistors from ’80s

At the HRK, we work hard to deliver the best experience for our customers. The use of specific components has an immense impact on the sound of the studio equipment.

Modern clones of the classic recording equipment will never sound similar to the originals because the mass production process force manufacturers to use widely available and standard semiconductors. Those components are entirely different from parts used in the old studio devices.

We search and obtain hard to find and unique NOS components from no longer existing manufacturers to bring back the tone and mojo of the vintage analog gear.

We can use custom selected NOS components because we hand build each unit in a short production run. We are not constrained by the mass production rules that are unavoidable for big equipment manufacturers.

The Transistors used in the CS566 VCA Compressor are genuine Military Grade and High-Quality silicon transistors. NOS transistors deliver the authentic tone of the ’80s, a bit dark and sweet at the same time.

HRK Blue EQ | Four band Musical and Smooth Equaliser

The CS566 is equipped with a four-band ultra-smooth Blue EQ equaliser. Each band has two selectable frequency settings and a boost/cut range of +/-12dB.

Each band is built around a separate operational amplifier creating an independent circuit section, which reduces the adverse interaction between the EQ bands.

Equaliser band separation dramatically reduces the boost/cut influence between the bands and eliminates the interrelation of EQ sections centre frequencies.

The HRK Blue EQ is a non-destructive and smooth equaliser explicitly designed to create a flexible sound editing tool, which will not impose an aggressive attitude and change the original character of the signal.

The Blue EQ is a transparent equaliser that allows significant processing capabilities while being intuitive and easy to use.

The frequencies are selected to cover most of the studio applications.
The HF and the LF are shelf-type filters with easy to dial-in musical and gentle curve aspects.

The ML and MH are bell-type filters with progressive and smooth characteristics, delivering the signal correction without the pitch-ringing even at higher boost levels.

Augmented HRK Active Transformer
Bart Hrk developed the HRK Active Transformer to solve the conventional passive transformer output problems.

The Active Transformer used in the CS566 is modified and augmented to deliver additional specific transformer harmonics.

If the Active Transformer is also engaged, the output frequency response changes delivering a typical air HF resonance and extended LF reproduction.

The HRK Active Transformer solves the problems of the passive transformer while preserving and even enhancing the positive trades of the transformer output stage, including the harmonics content and the tonal response.

The HRK Active Transformer delivers the sound that we love and removes all the hassles associated with passive transformers.

Notes:
The CS566 is a line-level channels strip. The CS566 is not equipped with a microphone preamplifier.