Introduction
Nembrini Audio have introduced The Voltour, a 2 channel all valve enhancer based on legendary hardware.
By seamlessly merging cutting-edge technology with classic analog warmth, this plugin brings the legendary original hardware character and charm into your digital domain
The Voltour is available from Nembrini Audio in VST2, VST3 and AAX formats for Windows and macOS, typically priced at $99. Note that it is on sale during Black November / Christmas 2024 sale for $19.80.
It is also available in AUv3 version for iOS from the app store, typically priced at $19.99 and is also on sale during Black November / Christmas 2024 sale for $9.99
Background
Thermionic Culture have a reputation for producing top quality hardware. The Vulture was launched in 1998, a rack mountable pure valve distortion. It can produce a huge range of harmonic distortion from subtle saturation to full on distortion.
Nembrini have extended the possibilities of the original hardware by adding a mix parameter for parallel processing on any bus, adding gentle valve presence; Continuous filter parameter; Phase parameter to blend the dry signal with the reversed phase wet signal; Auto wet output leveling; Link parameter for perfectly matched stereo imaging, making it possible to save time and preserve balances.
GUI
The GUI has the classic look of the original.
At the top there’s a toolbar where you can access the manual, scroll through presets, undo/redo buttons and handy A/B banks so that you can compare settings and copy from one bank to the other. You can also save and delete presets and bypass the effect.
The GUI shows the 2 channels in a mirror image layout with the power switch in the middle. The drive control adjusts the amount of input gain sent to the valve distortion. Like the original hardware unit, the value ranges from 1 to 11 although these are somewhat arbitrary and do not represent absolute levels.
The bias control has a significant impact on distortion characteristics. It adjusts how much current passes through the cathode in the distortion valve. This too ranges from 1 to 11 and similarly to the drive control, these are somewhat arbitrary and do not represent absolute levels.
The distortion type selects one of three available operating modes and interacts extensively with the drive, bias and overdrive settings.
- T – Triode. This mode generates more 2nd order (even) harmonics and is generally the cleanest and ‘sweetest’ mode. It is ideal for adding tube warmth without obvious distortion.
- P1 – Pentode 1. This mode generates more 3rd order (odd) harmonics and has a harder, edgier and louder sound than triode mode.
- P2 – Pentode 2. This mode has an unusual wiring for a pentode circuit and a particularly aggressive sound, especially with high Bias current and/or when Overdrive is engaged.
The overdrive switch applies 20dB of additional gain.
The phase switch inverts the phase of the wet signal.
The filter has a 12dB/octave slope and is used to remove unwanted frequencies above the selected frequency to give a more rounded sound.
The auto switch determines whether auto-gain is engaged to automatically set the output level to that of the dry input signal.
The output level controls the amount of signal going to the output valve.
The meter switch allows you to switch meter display between input and output levels.
The link switch allows you to stereo link channels 1 and 2.
In Use
What I really like about the Voltour is the sheer range of saturation sounds that it can produce giving a huge amount of flexibility to shape your sound. It’s also cool how Nembrini have kept the same operating interface as the original hardware unit.
It’s very easy to use and dial in a sound from subtle saturation to fuzz and full-on distortion. Even at really subtle settings, The Voltour makes pretty much everything sound better so it’s really useful as an all-round enhancer as well as more pronounced saturation. It’s one of those effects that is incredibly useful but often overlooked, a secret sauce that is now a bit less secret.
I’ve created the video embedded at the top of this post as a sound demo. I’ve used pad, drums, bass and vocals processed with The Voltour. I recorded it in AUM and haven’t used any other effects other than Grand Finale 2 for ensuring levels are ok. I’ve started with a preset on each type of sound and adjusted settings to show some of the sound shaping options available.
