AUDIO MERGE / KTBK-1B Passive High Pass Filter

The Audio Merge/KTBK-1B is a dub filter that provides the same authentic tone as the Altec 9069B, a reproduction of the passive high-pass filter found on the MCI console owned by King Tubby, the music producer and founder of dub music, known as ""Big Knob,"" his secret weapon.

The KTBK-1B is a modern reincarnation of the passive high-pass filter originally found on the MCI console owned by King Tubby, the father of dub music.
The large red knob on his MCI console was known as Tubby's secret weapon, nicknamed the ""Big Knob.""

The King Tubby Big Knob (KTBK-1B) is a dub filter that delivers the same authentic tone as the Altec 9069B. It's a third-order variable passive high-pass filter with 10 stepped cutoff frequencies, allowing for precise control over the tone of your sound. The AudioMerge KTBK-1B has been optimized for the modern studio and features new controls, a mode selector, and a resonance level adjustment.
A custom, hand-crafted multi-tap inductor coil, tested with DSP technology, delivers the most accurate frequency response. Originally designed to reduce low frequencies in dialogue and program content, mitigating room resonance, hum, and other low-frequency noise.

An Equalizer with Vintage Flavor for the Modern Studio
For those who appreciate the quality of their music and enjoy the characteristics of a variable passive high-pass filter, the King Tubby's Big Knob (KTBK) delivers the same authentic tone as the Altec 9069B, a vintage equalizer designed in the 1960s, allowing for precise control over the sound's tone. The KTBK unit features two additional switches: a mode selector and a resonance level adjuster, allowing you to tailor the filter response to modern music production workflows. Furthermore, meticulous fine-tuning using DSP technology ensures a high level of Altec sound signature reproduction.

KTBK1B Curves
BELL, 600, and NOTCH are distinct modes that transform the KTBK1B into a unique piece of equipment, enhancing its versatility for various stages of music production. 600 mode recreates the response of the original Altec 9069B. Bell mode recreates the King Tubby sound signature, functioning as a peak-resonating high-pass filter (HPF) with no insertion loss, ideal for dubbing sweeps and featuring a recognizable phaser effect. Notch mode, a proprietary Audio Merge development, delivers a response never before seen in other equipment. In fact, it behaves like a VARI-NOTCH, varying the attenuation level and Q factor depending on the cutoff and Bell levels.

A Vintage Equalizer
Passive filters are very sensitive to impedance matching. Originally, the Altec 9069B was designed to operate with 600Ω impedance inputs and outputs (IO). However, the AudioMerge KTBK-1B features a mode control switch to recreate the original HPF response while accommodating any type of equipment.

Sweep the Sound Like a Dub Master
Sweep and layer your sounds with the KTBK filter for an unparalleled sound signature. The perfect gear for creating dynamic mixes with lo-fi tones! Digitalization has transformed the way music is recorded, produced, and processed. It's time to combine the best of the analog and digital realms and explore new possibilities.

Handbuilt with Love and Customized Features
Each unit is assembled and subsequently tested by hand at AudioMege's factory in Barcelona. The multi-tap inductor is a custom-designed element for the most precise cutoff frequency, based on an analysis of frequency response and phase distortion using different cores and coil winding techniques. The customized stepped rotary switch provides exceptionally smooth rotational resistance, ensuring creative freedom during performance.

MAIN
Number of channels: 1
Frequency response: +/-0.5dB 10Hz-70kHz @ OFF
Input impedance: 600Ω
Output impedance: 600Ω
Insertion loss
BELL & NOTCH: 0dB
600: 6dB
Max input level: +38dBu
THD: < 0.01% @ 1kHz +17dBu
Power Consumption: 0W - completely passive
True Bypass: yes
CUTOFFS & MODES
Number of cutoffs per filter: 10
Cutoffs: 70C, 100C, 150C, 250C, 500C, 1KC, 2KC, 3KC, 5KC, 7.5KC
Modes: 600, BELL and NOTCH
Damping levels (BELL & NOTCH): 6
IO & DIMENSIONS
Input & output: 1/4""
Height: 52.3mm (box) + 4.7mm (supports) ~ 2.06"" + 0.19""
Width: 125.1mm ~ 4.93""
Depth: 164mm ~ 6.46""
Weight: 1.2kg

About AudioMerge
AudioMerge is a sound equipment brand based in Barcelona, ​​Spain.
Founded in 2021 by two Spanish sound engineers, the brand develops and manufactures high-end analog filters for dub music and dance music artists of various genres.