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The
RoXdon VR-202 Spring Reverberation Unit is a dual input classic analogue spring reverberation unit designed for
use with a studio sound mixer or line level source. The circuit used in
the VR-202 is similar to a classic vintage 1970's design with characteristics
heard on countless recordings over the years, only achievable with a
mechanical / analogue design. The RoXdon VR-202 is completely hand assembled
in small batches, in London,
England.
The VR-202 signal path uses only discrete
components like transistors, resistors and capacitors, with no integrated circuits. The
subjective sound quality delivered by these classic vintage designs is
often preferred over the sound of modern digital units and software
created reverb delays. Particularly useful on vocals, the smooth,
dark sounding, natural effect needs little manipulation other than
adjustment of the intensity to create a lush mix ready vocal
performance.
The heart of the VR-202 is the
mono 3-spring vintage replica reverb tank. The spring transducers are wired
direct to the audio
circuit board using screened cable. This makes the 'tank' less
receptive to interference. Also close attention has been paid to the
spacing and size of the transducer laminations resulting in a
more vintage like tone.
The double sided audio printed
circuit board is hand soldered and features WIMA capacitors, carbon
resistors and low noise transistors. All connections to the
internal Audio Board are via soldered terminal posts, the way it used to be. The
supplied external International 24volt DC regulated power
adapter provides clean power to the VR-202 ensuring transformer
magnetic fields are not present inside the chassis which can induce
noise onto the sensitive spring tank. The power is 'cleaned' further
by the inclusion of a ripple filter on the audio circuit board. The RoXdon
VR-202 features a steel 2U 19" rack mounted enclosure manufactured with vintage black hammered finish front
panel,
retro style reverb intensity knob, dial, on/off switch and power-on lamp.
The front panel also includes a convenient illuminated VU meter which
provides a visual guide to the input signal level. The rear panel
has a 24 volt DC socket for connection of the external power adapter
(supplied) and 1/4" line input and output jack sockets for connection
to a sound mixer or line level source.
OPERATION
When using the
RoXdon VR-202 as
a stereo reverb unit a left and right summed mono line level signal is
fed to the side-chain drive amp circuit which drives the reverb
spring. The delayed reverberation signals are then mixed with the left and right
clean input signals equally. This circuit design emulates a 'real
life' reverberation where the reflected sound waves come from all
directions.
When a mono reverb delayed
signal only is required, eg. using mixer channel AUX, this can be accessed
by using INPUT L
together with OUTPUT R.
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