Retro Instruments
Retro Instruments Doublewide II
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Retro Instruments Doublewide II succeeds the original Doublewide as a single-channel tube compressor filling two slots of a 500-series rack while drawing 130 milliamps. Carried over from the first version are the grey front panel, the US-made Simpson gain reduction meter and hand wiring throughout, with no troublesome ribbon cables. The circuit board is American made, the case is stainless steel, and Cinemag's highest-quality transformers sit at the input and output.
Wider timing and 176-grade aggression
The most consequential change from the first version concerns range: both faster attack and faster release times are now available. That opens a way of working the original could not offer, because the compressor can now act as aggressively as the Retro 176. In practice it means one unit for two jobs: elegant, transparent control of bass, guitars and drums at longer settings, or a firm squeeze on a vocal that needs pushing forward. An improved signal-to-noise ratio, better frequency response and tube character separate this version from the first even at identical settings.
Stereo link on the panel and tubes you can find anywhere
A stereo link switch with an indicator now sits on the front panel, so a pair of modules works on a bus without gain reduction drifting apart between channels, and switching between dual mono and stereo takes no reaching around the back of the rack. Meter zero moved to the front panel too, where the first version had it on the side of the case. The Doublewide II runs 12AT7 and 12AU7 tubes, widely available in current production, unlike the new-old-stock 6BJ6 complement of the original. On a tube compressor in daily use, how easily replacement tubes can be found stops being a secondary question.
KEY FEATURES
- Single-channel tube compressor in a two-slot 500-series module
- 130 mA current draw
- Wider range of attack and release times than the first version
- Capability comparable to the Retro Instruments 176
- Stereo link switch with indicator on the front panel
- Front-panel meter zero control
- Improved signal-to-noise ratio and frequency response
- 12AT7 and 12AU7 tubes, widely available in current production
- Cinemag input and output transformers
- Stainless steel chassis, hand wired, gold-plated edge connector
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: single-channel tube compressor, 500-series format
- Rack space: two slots
- Current draw: 130 mA
- Tubes: 12AT7 and 12AU7
- Transformers: Cinemag, input and output
- Time constants: Single and Double
- Attack and release: adjustable, wider range than the first version
- Stereo linking: front-panel switch with indicator
- Meter: US-made Simpson, front-panel zero control
- Chassis: stainless steel, hand wired
- Connector: gold-plated edge connector
- Circuit board: US manufactured
