Electric & Co EC5B

Electric & Co EC5B is a limited-edition version of the EC175B Vacuum Tube Limiting Amplifier, built around a 1960s West Coast circuit — six tubes and five transformers working together deliver dense, colorful compression with real attitude.

Compression You Hear, Not Just Feel

Unlike transparent VCA compressors, the EC5B is designed to add color and grab — an extended attack range lets you control exactly how aggressively it responds to bass, vocal, or drum transients.

A Sidechain Filter for Pumping Control

A built-in sidechain filter circuit reduces the influence of low frequencies on the compression detector, so heavy bass lines or kick drums don't trigger uncontrolled pumping across the mix, while input and output pads let you match level to any source.

The manufacturer itself describes the unit's character as "loads of color and attitude" — the EC5B doesn't pretend to be transparent, it deliberately offers an alternative to sterile digital limiters.

KEY FEATURES

• Limited edition of the EC175B Vacuum Tube Limiting Amplifier
• Circuit modeled on 1960s West Coast designs
• 6 tubes and 5 transformers in the signal path
• Built-in sidechain filter
• Extended attack range
• Input and output pads

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: tube limiting amplifier
• Tubes: 6
• Transformers: 5
• Circuit: 1960s West Coast
• Controls: input/output pads, sidechain filter, extended attack
• Edition: EC175B limited edition
• Format: dual/stereo channel, rack chassis
• Character: deliberately colored, non-transparent compression