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The VTS MkII by MCAudioLab brings authentic analog tube saturation to your recordings, offering a unique and precise tone-shaping experience. The VTS MkII uses a tube preamp circuit to achieve the warmth, depth, and harmonic richness of classic analog recordings. Its easy-to-use design and three intuitive controls – Drive, Tube Load, and Output – allow you to sculpt saturation effects with unmatched flexibility.

Whether you’re mixing vocals, guitars, or drums, this module provides a natural-sounding distortion that enhances both the technical and creative aspects of your production.

The VTS MkII creates the typical saturation of analog tube circuits. Its triode preamp stages, similar to those used in guitar amps or high-fidelity audio systems, generate second- and third-order harmonics that are key to creating rich, full-bodied sound.

Whether applied to vocals, instruments, or full mixes, the VTS MkII brings a vintage, warm saturation effect that transforms digital recordings into something more organic and musical.

By engaging the right amount of saturation, you can add complexity and character to any audio source, perfect for both creative and technical applications.

While traditionally used in rock music, tube saturation can enhance any genre by adding character to a mix. The VTS MkII excels in both mixing and mastering, where it can be used to warm up cold digital recordings, thicken drum hits, or bring vocals to the forefront. In mixing, it’s a creative tool for shaping the tonality of each instrument, making it more present and sonically complex.

In mastering, subtle saturation increases the dynamic range and enhances the overall richness of the track, ensuring it translates well on consumer-grade speakers.

The MCAudioLab VTS MkII features three key controls: Drive, Output, and Tube Load, allowing for fine-tuned adjustments to your sound.

The Drive knob controls the amount of input signal.

Tube Load determines the saturation depth, offering a continuous range from subtle warmth to heavy saturation.

The Output control adjusts the final signal level, ensuring your mix is perfectly balanced. With these simple yet powerful controls, the VTS MkII adapts to any recording situation.

The VTS MkII is equipped with dual LED level meters that offer real-time monitoring and precise control over your audio signal. One meter tracks the Output, providing a clear view of the final output level, while the second meter monitors the Tube Load, indicating when the signal is approaching or reaching the pre-set thresholds.

As you adjust the Drive and Tube Load controls, these meters offer instant visual feedback, helping you fine-tune your settings for the perfect balance of saturation.

This feature is crucial for achieving consistent results. With these LED meters, you can always be sure that you’re in complete control of your audio’s tonal characteristics.

While many digital plugins emulate tube saturation, the VTS MkII offers the real thing. Its analog circuitry delivers a higher level of complexity, with no reliance on digital processing or filtering. This results in a more natural, full-bodied sound that can’t be replicated by software alone.

The VTS MkII is the perfect tool for achieving true analog warmth, enhancing your mixes with a level of depth and realism that digital plugins often fail to capture.

Highly versatile, lightweight module designed for the 500 Series rack format, makes the VTS MkII ideal for both studio setups and live applications. Its robust, professional-grade design ensures that it can withstand the demands of any environment while maintaining top-notch audio quality.

The design of the VTS MkII includes only the essential controls, allowing for quick and easy adjustments – perfect for fast-paced situations. With a focus on delivering good sound, the VTS MkII eliminates unnecessary noise or complexity, ensuring you get the most out of your recordings.

Additionally, the true bypass switch lets you temporarily remove the unit from your signal path or for A/B comparisons.

The VTS MkII has been designed with an approach to maintain the highest audio quality while minimizing unnecessary noise. By focusing solely on the most essential controls, we have intentionally avoided adding a Blend control, as this can be easily adjusted within your DAW. Similarly, the addition of an Equalizer was not deemed necessary.

There are countless EQ options available, and we want you to use the one that best suits your preferences.

The goal with the VTS MkII was to create a highly versatile tool that upholds professional standards, without limiting its flexibility by adding redundant features like EQ or Blend controls.

Outboard audio gear perform its intended task without unnecessary complications.

We firmly believe that outboard gear should do the job it’s designed for.

No redundant features that overlap with other devices compromising the integrity of the sound.

This module is offered as a DIY kit, including all the necessary components and a detailed manual for assembly. This kit allows users, from hobbyists to professionals, to build their own preamp while learning about its internal design.

The manual provides clear instructions for both assembly and calibration, ensuring optimal performance. Additionally, the preamp is available in two options: a fully assembled, tested unit for those seeking convenience, and the DIY kit for those who enjoy the process of building.

Regardless of the chosen option, both versions offer the same high-quality audio performance.

The VTS MkII is the ultimate tool for anyone seeking the perfect blend of vintage warmth and modern control, ideal for mixing, mastering, and live performance alike.

With its powerful saturation capabilities and easy-to-use interface, it stands out as a must-have for serious sound engineers and producers.