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HITMAKER 4000 brings solid state British console sound to the Colour format. This circuit was inspired by the classic VCA console's Mix Amps through which thousands of hit records have been mixed since the early 1980's.
The heart of the famed mix bus was a balanced summing architecture with a hybrid combination of a discrete quad-matched transistor input and a then-state-of-the art Signetics NE5534A op amp to provide open loop gain and load-driving capability. While a dual amp NE5532 could have been chosen to simplify the design and reduce cost of this Colour module, the audio performance of the NE5532 is not the same in terms of distortion, soundstage, and overall tone. Our design respectfully pays homage to the original console's Mix Amp by using multiple IC stages of a carefully selected modern production NE5534A that best matches the depth and tone of the out-of-production Signetics part. Another critical component defining the gritty and punchy sound of these consoles was the VCA used for master fader level control. This is the same VCA fader that the legendary Bus Compressor sidechain controls for 2-bus smack and levelling. We have included this essential ingredient along with original spec bipolar coupling capacitors to help achieve the harmonic texture reminiscent of the vintage console. HITMAKER 4000 isn't merely an enhancement effect trying to approximate the harmonic distortion characteristics of hybrid transistor summing amps and VCAs - it is those very kinds of circuits using the correct components.
One of the signature features of these consoles was its powerful yet musical 4-band EQ, which many mix engineers have used to shape sounds into hit records. As a tribute to the most favorite high frequency shelving EQ setting of one particular award-winning mixer dude we have included a jumperable 8 kHz shelving boost to add an in-your-face presence and sparkle your tracks and mixes.
To further expand the range of tones possible in a way the original console could never offer, we have provided two user-selectable THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) settings. The RICH setting has a more forward and aggressive character with its dominance of 3rd order harmonics pulling sounds to the front of the mix as the module is driven harder. An alternate FAT setting configures the module for more 2nd order harmonics, which gives the low end more roundness and depth; the top end thus feels more refined and less edgy.
The HITMAKER 4000 module is one of our most ambitious designs to date and offers a versatile palette of console-style saturation and tone-shaping, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the Colour format. We are confident you will enjoy using it on your busses to achieve that perfect console saturation sweet spot, and on your tracks to add a rich high end sheen that grabs the listener's ears.
Fully assembled and tested by Louder Than Liftoff.
Chroma 500 Series module or DIYRE Colour Palette must be purchased separately.
Colour is an exciting new modular platform for creating your own custom analog signal chains. The ever-growing family of modules allows you to bring multiple stages of high end analog processing to your setup a la carte. These are real analog plugins.
The Colour platform consists of Colour modules and hosts like Chroma, Mister Focus, and the DIY Recording Equipment Colour Palette. Colour modules are ultra-compact, swappable analog circuit blocks that snap into Chroma and impart various types of analog color such as distortion, saturation, compression, EQ, and even echo. Chroma provides drive and wet/dry mix controls, power, and support circuitry for one module.
The Colour Palette is a 3-slot host available as a 500 Series unit from DIY Recording Equipment. In the near future there will be rackmount version of the Colour Palette as well.
Try out our gear in your studio and, if within 14 days you're not satisfied, let us know and we'll issue a refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be "like new" and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging with all original materials (power supply, power cord, product card, etc.). Please refrain from racking 19 inch rackmount gear during this trial period so that the faceplate and enclosure don't get scratched.
To complete your return, just give us a call or shoot us an email, and we'll send you instructions for packing up your unit and shipping it back. Please note that you will be responsible for return shipping costs and we ask that you insure the unit for its full retail value to protect against loss or damage. You are responsible for ensuring the products arrive safely at our shop. Once we receive and inspect the unit we will issue a refund for the purchase price less the cost of shipping. Units received in any condition other than "like new" may be subject to a restocking fee.
We ship to (just about) any address in the world via USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL Express. When you place an order, we will estimate shipping delivery times for you based on your location and the shipping option you choose. Delivery time estimates are given on the checkout page. Once payment is approved, in stock products, other than Silver Bullets will ship out from Rogue Planet Command within 2-3 business days. We ship Silver Bullets within 7-10 business days. Once an order ships you will be sent tracking information via email and/or Facebook Messenger (if selected at checkout). Please coordinate with the shipping company to have your package held for pickup if you know you will not be home when the package is expected to arrive.
Please note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are dimensional weight-based. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, weights may be rounded up to the next full pound. We may substitute UPS for FedEx ground service and vice versa. We also may upgrade UPS and FedEx ground service to USPS Priority Mail if we are feeling extra nice.
Also note that international customers are required to pay all import duties and taxes required by their respective countries. When filling out customs forms we declare the actual purchase price. Please do not ask us to declare lower values.
If you reside outside of North America, we highly recommend DHL Express when ordering a Silver Bullet for the quickest delivery and with zero customs headaches. If you are in Canada we recommend selecting USPS instead of FedEx or UPS since the customs process is easier and less money.
We require a signature for all Silver Bullet orders to help ensure you safely receive the package.
Need More details?
When can I expect to receive a response to my email or phone call?
Most emails or phone calls will receive a friendly reply within 24 hours, and often within just a few hours. However, sometimes we get sucked into the glorious nebula of designing and building products. Or need to do laundry, shop for groceries, or sleep. We appreciate your patience as we balance the demands of our intergalactic commitments, and try to enjoy time off on the weekends. Please don't be upset if an email you sent on Friday evening doesn't get returned until Monday or Tuesday morning.
Do you have Silver Bullets in stock?
Please check the FAQ tab on the Silver Bullet product pages for up-to-date information about stock, production status, and shipping dates.
How much will it cost to ship my order overseas?
Our shopping cart has a shipping calculator that is configured to estimate shipping to anywhere in the world. All you have to do is add a product to the cart and then click the cart icon in the upper right corner of your browser. At that point you can select your country, province, and enter your postal code. A list of available shipping options will be displayed after you click Calculate Shipping. As mentioned above, international customers are responsible for paying all import duties and taxes for their respective countries.
What shipping option do you recommend for European customers?
If you are ordering a Silver Bullet or 500 series module, we highly recommend that you select DHL Express shipping. DHL acts as the customs broker and offers exceptionally quick door-to-door service. We've been seeing packages arrive in the UK in 4-5 days. There is no hand off with local postal services like there is with USPS so you will know where your package is every minute of the day by accessing the tracking information. They will require you to pay all customs and import taxes before delivering the package to your door.
My country charges high import taxes. Can you adjust the customs value to help me out?
Sorry, but no. As a rule, we declare the actual purchase price on all customs forms. Defrauding a foreign government is not a wise business move.
Do you accept wire transfers, ACH payments, or Paypal as forms of payment?
We only accept payment through our online store using major credit and debit cards at this time.
How are you guys able to sell products of this quality level at these impossibly affordable prices?
We simply reject the notion that a middleman like a dealer or distributor needs to come between the guy that designs and builds the gear and the artist that uses it. By adopting a direct sales model we have been able to pass that savings onto our customers. Do you really want to pay 30% more for your gear? All we ask in return is that you make lots of great music and help spread the word about our company and products.
Can I have my favorite pro audio dealer get me a Silver Bullet?
Sure, if you want to pay more money for our products. See the question above. Our pricing model does not allow for typical dealer margins. Really. If you'd like to order 10 Silver Bullets we'd be happy to give you a sweet discount though.
I just bought a used unit from some dude online. Can I have the seller send it to you first to check out?
As a policy, we decline to get in the middle of third party transactions on used gear. If you receive the unit and it requires repair please contact us and we can go over service options.
What in the bloody galaxy is Void Corp?
Void Corp is a character in the Louder Than Liftoff universe. Some of our products are made as limited edition Void Corp versions with a black aesthetic. Click the link for more info.
It would be really cool if you guys had t-shirts. Can you make me one?
I have a question that you didn't answer here. Where can I get more info?
Try our Support page and knowledgebase.
Louder Than Liftoff reserves the right to refuse selling our products to anyone that is hateful, sexist, bigoted, racist, homophobic, or just a meanie in general. Be kind to each other and the planet. And vote.
