Heritage Audio / BritStrip

A channel strip featuring 73 microphone preamps, DI, EQ, and a diode bridge compressor.

A British-Style Channel Strip with a Diode Bridge Compressor

The culmination of 50 years of analog design, condensed into a 1U rack size. The BritStrip captivates modern engineers with its iconic recording sound.

The BritStrip is a channel strip combining the unmistakable 73 microphone preamps, an extended 73 equalizer, a discrete Class A DI, and the renowned Successor diode bridge compressor. While a similar configuration would require chaining a 73JR, 73EQJR, and a mono Successor, the BritStrip offers superior cost-effectiveness and routing flexibility.

A Microphone Preamp That Meets Every Demand

The BritStrip's sound begins with the same preamp section as the 73JR. It features custom input and output transformers, co-designed with Carnhill, and boasts an all-discrete, Class A, 3-gain stage configuration.

It features a maximum gain of 80dB, a 20dB pad, phase inversion, and a 1200Ω/300Ω input impedance selector switch.

Discrete Class A DI Circuit

The DI section also employs the design highly acclaimed in the 73JR. An all-discrete Class A JFET circuit is placed before the microphone transformer, providing all the desired character. A passive thru output is also included, allowing connection to another amplifier.

Enhanced 73 Equalizer

The equalizer section employs three Vinkor pot core inductors for the midband and high-pass filter. A notable feature here is its exceptionally musical sound, even at extreme boosts.

The midband is ideal for expressing thick, punchy snares, kicks, guitars, and vocals, without sounding stepped or losing headroom even at extreme settings. Furthermore, the inductor-based low-pass filter, inherited from the 73, allows for control of the low end outside the desired frequency range without affecting the quality of the desired frequencies.

A bell mode has been added to the high-shelf and low-shelf models, making them suitable for a wider range of applications than ever before.

Compressor Inherited from the Successor

The diode bridge-based compressor featured in the BritStrip is the same as that of the award-nominated Successor, so it needs no further introduction. The classic diode bridge compression has been given entirely new life with the enhanced features of the Successor and incredibly fast attack/release times.

With its blend control and sophisticated sidechain filter, this compressor is ideal for tracking?providing the dynamics, including the ""finished"" timing that performers demand in their monitor sound, thus expanding recording possibilities.

The sidechain filter with five frequency options and an external sidechain input offer remarkable flexibility. Of course, you can also link two BritStrips compressors for the ultimate stereo tracking solution.

Routing Flexibility

BritStrip allows you to change the routing of the compression and equalizer. Placing the equalizer before the compression makes the compression detector more sensitive to boosted frequencies and less sensitive to cut frequencies. Conversely, placing the equalizer after the compression makes the detector less sensitive to the equalizer settings.

■Main Features



・Carnhill-based transformer-balanced input/output adds character and a vintage feel.

・'73-style Class A output stage brings legendary sound to mixes and drum buses.

・Microphone Input Impedance: Selectable from HI (minimum 1200Ω), LO (minimum 300Ω), transformer-balanced, floating

・Line Input Impedance: 10kΩ bridged, transformer-balanced, floating

・DI Input Impedance: 2MΩ or higher, unbalanced

・Output Impedance: 75Ω or lower, transformer-balanced, floating

・Maximum Output: 26dBu or higher @ 600Ω

・THD: Less than 0.025% @ 1kHz, Less than 0.05% @ 100Hz

・Frequency Response: 20Hz (+0.3dB) to 20kHz (-0.2dB)

・Maximum Gain: 80dB

* Noise (EIN): Less than 125dBu



* High/Low shelf with added bell-like characteristics of a '73 style

* '73 style dual Vinkor inductor-based midband with extended Q

* '73 style inductor-based low-pass filter



* Diode bridge-based compression that delivers second-harmonic distortion character and true vintage tone, excelling at eliminating unwanted odd-order harmonics

* Ultra-fast attack/release time options not found in vintage designs

* Sidechain filter includes a standard high-pass filter, as well as midband peak type and high-frequency options, enabling unprecedented sound shaping

* Send/return terminals allow for external processing of internal signals as well as application of external sidechain signals

* ""BLEND"" control allows for internal parallel compression without the need for external equipment

- Step-by-step control that allows for easy recall of settings.