LIMITED EDITION - WINE RED V3A [500-SERIES] LEVELING AMPLIFIER
LIMITED EDITION - WINE RED V3A [500-SERIES] LEVELING AMPLIFIER
PLEASE ALLOW APPROXIMATELY 2-4 WEEKS FOR SHIPPING.
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We’re just back from a week at the 2025 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. As usual, it was a busy time and always a little frantic. This year, however, our hearts really went out to the folks who were affected by the fires that have ravaged Southern Cal over the last month. We heard some truly heart-wrenching stories from folks who lost everything, or nearly, and even though their insurance, or whatever, will eventually help replace lost gear and workspaces, will these folks ever be made whole? Having endured our share of natural disasters here on the east coast of Florida, we feel empathy for what they are going through.
At AudioScape we want to do what we can to support the relief efforts there. So, from now until February 14th (Valentine’s Day) we’ll be offering our V3A 500 Series optical compressors in custom red finishes, with all net proceeds being donated to the Red Cross Wildfire Relief fund.
At the heart of the V3A is our T4b, AudioScape’s in-house made electro-optical cell that is an exact replica of the T4 used in the original, released in 1969. The attack of the V3A is dynamic, reacting to large transients with much faster attack times than smaller transients, making it perfect for making kick and snare tracks pop out of the mix.
These classic re-creations will be available in a custom red finish, now through Valentine’s Day, February 14th, with all net proceeds going straight to the Red Cross Wildfire Relief fund. Help us help the folks in our awesome community of like-minded folks who love great audio, and need to know they’re not alone in a rough time.
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The V3A is a 1:1 recreation of an absolutely brilliant, much-coveted, and highly esteemed “1/2-Rack sized unit” from the 1970s that has gained a cult following amongst engineers worldwide. Our V3A is a truly titanic sounding compressor - using the plethora of techniques we’ve developed over the years, we can say with absolute authority that the V3A is the most accurately and faithfully recreated incarnation of this amazing Solid-State Optical Limiting Amplifier.
**NOTE: If you experience slight fitment issues in your 500-Series chassis of choice, simply remove the side panel (4 small screws).
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FREE Shipping within the contiguous United States! International Shipping available during checkout!
**HASSLE-FREE 2-YEAR WARRANTY INCLUDED!
**FREE PATCHRAT PRO SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDED WITH EVERY PURCHASE!**
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A 1:1 CIRCUIT RECREATION OF THE ORIGINAL - FINALLY ADAPTED TO THE 500-SERIES FORMAT!
AudioScape V3A LEVELING AMPLIFIER: A Compelling Compressor with A Dramatic Mid-Forward Color
Our newest addition to the AudioScape lineup, the V3A is an uncompromising, authentically Made-in-USA recreation of the timeless and enormously popular optical limiter from the 1970s known for its fierce midrange color & girth, characterful compression, and simplicity of operation. And in true Audioscape fashion, an extraordinary amount of time, passion and obsessive attention to detail was spent refining and perfecting our take on this legendary circuit to ensure every unit behaves and performs just like the original - all at a peerless price point within reach of engineers working at any level.
Painstaking Circuit Design & Carefully Selected, Period-Correct Components
The V3A is a sonically period-correct recreation of the venerable LA3-AYYYY and has every ounce of the original unit’s aggression, impact, and gusto - all without the drawbacks of an awkward 1/2 RU format, not to mention the sky-high prices demanded by the current vintage market! You too can now have a piece of sonic history in YOUR studio - all in a manageable and convenient 500-series format!
Modifications, Handcrafted T4B Opto-Attenuator & Custom, Hand-Wound Transformers
Any GREAT piece of gear is truly the sum of its parts - not just a handful of “buzzword” capacitors, resistors, and transformers. The V3A features the “Clearmount Mod” fully integrated into its circuit - helping to lower the overall noise-floor and broaden the versatility of the Gain control amongst other things, making the V3A an extraordinary, sonically multi-faceted compressor and tone box!
The 500-series V3A module has been built from the ground up accurately and faithfully, with no component compromises or gratuitous enhancements to completely and faithfully capture the shockingly vivid, detailed, and elegant character of this classic optical compressor. We've invested an immense amount of time testing and refining this unit to produce the same jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring reaction engineers around the world have felt when using a vintage unit, every time the circuit is engaged or a setting is changed. And we're confident you'll feel the same!
Our Philosophy - Recreating the Euphonic Sonics of a Bygone Era
Like every AudioScape product, the V3A was designed and built with one of many core principles in mind: We ARE the UPGRADE™! We're proud to offer you a unit that we feel truly replicates the magic, mojo, and character of such a classic piece of recording history. We managed to cleverly squeeze this quintessential circuit into a compact 500-series format - all while staying true to our ultimate goal of achieving total SONIC TRUTH
Handcrafted in the USA - Legendary Circuits deserve Legendary Craftsmanship
We build and assemble each of our products by hand here at our workshop in Florida, using NOS and USA-made components wherever possible, and never compromising or making concessions to any aspect of the build or more importantly, the sonics for the sake of profit margins or simple convenience. We strongly believe this is the right way - if not the only way - to produce these units at the level of quality we strive for, while still making them available to as many of our customers as possible. Every product comes with a HASSLE-FREE TWO-YEAR WARRANTY, and we pride ourselves on providing the best customer service in the biz! If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to talk shop, please reach out to us!
WHY SHOULD YOU BUY A V3A?
- Proudly built in small-batches from end to end on site, in the USA by a small team of skilled assemblers. Each assembler is assigned 2 products, making them masters of their craft!
- Know where your hard-earned money is going and feel good about any purchase made from us! Every dollar spent helps feed a family, fund college tuition and supports new product development / R & D!
- Our margins are very tight. But, this sacrifice allows us full control over every aspect of the manufacturing and assembly process.
- We are able to capitalize on the USA surplus market and use NOS parts where it matters and most importantly, we are able to offer a product that is (in our biased opinions), simply a step above the competition.
FEATURES:
Handcrafted in the USA in Small Batches
Rugged, Fully-Enclosed, USA Made Steel Chassis
Fully Integrated, Unique Circuit Modification, Made Popular by One of the World’s most ESTEEMED Mix Engineers
AudioScape’s own Authentic, Sonically Period-Correct, and Handcrafted T4B Opto-Attenuator
Exclusive, Custom-Wound Input Transformer (an exacting replica of the original)
Exclusive, Custom-Wound Autoformer (an exacting replica of the original)
Exclusive, Custom-Wound Output Transformer (an exacting replica of the original)
Cornell Dubilier Polypropylene Axial Capacitors
NOS Metal-Can Transistors
HF Emphasis Control (Fully Variable) - Allows you to FOCUS the Compression to a Specific Area of the Frequency Spectrum
Stereo Link Control - Center Detended and Fully Variable (this control is a LOAD of fun when using the V3A on mono-sources or unlinked)
Bypass Switch
Stereo-Link Switch
Illuminated, Custom AudioScape VU Meter (Switches Between Output Level *+4dB* and Gain-Reduction)
Allen-Bradley Carbon Film Resistors in Key Areas of the Signal Path
Alpha Potentiometers
**specifications, parts & pricing subject to change because sh*t happens ;-)
V3A FAQ & CONTROLS (Switches - IN vs. OUT):
Is it in bypass when the button is pressed?
BUTTON IN = Unit Engaged
BYPASS BUTTON OUT = Bypass
Is it in comp or limit when the button is pressed?
BUTTON IN = COMP
BUTTON OUT = LIMIT
Is the HPF all the way off when turned clockwise or counterclockwise?
HF Control all the way COUNTER-CLOCKWISE means you're getting full-frequency compression (FLAT) as you turn the HF knob CLOCKWISE, more and more high-end gets COMPRESSED (this control works in an OPPOSITE manner to the HF EMPHASIS control on our OPTO COMP )
Metering button: +4dB and GR Button:
BUTTON IN = Output Level
BUTTON OUT = Gain Reduction
Is clockwise more compression or less?
GAIN and COMP work as you'd expect, as you turn them CLOCKWISE, you get MORE (be it GAIN or COMPRESSION)
How does the stereo linking work - mechanical telepathy or is there a physical connection somewhere?
Mwhahaha, love this one. Stereo Linking is achieved if your chassis allows it (usually there is a jumper inside (near the edge connectors) with a little jumper that will "link" Slots 1/2 or 3/4, etc...
What does the stereo adjust knob do?
THIS is a REALLY cool control - it will have an effect whether the STEREO LINK button is pressed in or not. It's "technical" purpose is to match the gain reduction between two units via the meter BUT it also has this BADASS, easter egg effect of allowing you EXTREME compression the more it's turned CLOCKWISE (and LESS when turned COUNTER-CLOCKWISE below the center detent). It's usually best left at 12 o'clock (center detented) but PLEASE experiment and let us know what you come up with!
A SWEET trick is to turn up the STEREO ADJUST knob as you turn up the COMP knob to get some INSANE compression happening - THEN simply turn the STEREO ADJUST KNOB counter-clockwise from where it's at to "ease off" of the amount of compression. It's easier to play with it than describe it but if you don't want to think about it just leave it at high-noon (again, center detent).
An easy way to remember what the buttons do is to press the METERING button and look at how it's labeled, with +4dB on top and GR below it.
Button IN = +4dB (output level)
Button OUT = Amount of Compression
To Surmise:
IN = Top Option (COMP or +4)
OUT = Bottom Option (LIMIT or GR)
When there is only ONE option labeled (in the case of BYPASS and STEREO LINK):
BYPASS:
IN =Engaged
OUT = Bypass
STEREO LINK:
IN = Stereo Link
OUT = Bypass Link (if two units are in use)
DOCUMENTATION:
HEAR IT IN ACTION!
USER PHOTOS:
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