This device is a Mic/DI
preamp, three band EQ, compressor and de-esser. It has an all
tube Class A signal path with transformerless and transformer-balanced
outputs. The pre, EQ and compressor/de-esser sections can be
used independently through connections on the rear panel. This
is a lot of potential power in a two rack space unit, but does
it deliver and is it worth the cost? Yes.
The mic pre performed
amazingly, adding detail to every mic, from an ELUX 251 to a
R-121. We got the best vocals I've ever heard come from a SM57
and fat kick drum sounds from a Beta 52. The EQ is a very simple
three band affair, with 3 positions for hi and lo, with 6 positions
for the mids. In use, all the settings were very musical, and
the EQ had nice Q, adding gentle but noticeable coloration, and
came in quite handy for tailoring sounds to tape. The compressor
was similarly musical, always sounding good despite turning the
knobs all over the map! The fast, average, vintage and manual
selector took it anywhere from speedy transparent to LA-2A-style,
giving me the impression that there were actually different compressors
at work as opposed to a subtle knob that didn't do too much.
The de-esser was also a real treat. It has a way of notching
out and ducking the offending frequencies that worked perfectly
in tracking and mixing sessions. The de-esser (and this whole
unit) was excellent for salvaging vocals from some home-recorded
sessions I was working on.
The Quartet also greatly
enhanced all my tracking sessions during its all-to-brief stay
at Jackpot! I've heard people say that Greg at Pendulum is also
a great recording engineer, and this sensibility comes across
in the Quartet - it was hard to make sources sound bad through
this unit, but when extreme work needed to be done it could also
handle that. I spent my whole time reviewing this unit without
knowing what it cost, and even at $3250 list (street price is
less) it's still a deal. Now I just wish I could keep it! (www.pendulumaudio.com)
-LC
[By the way, Larry did keep the Quartet!]
