VWB-1X

About the VWB-1X

Four classic circuits, one signal path: the VWB-1X folds our VHL-3C filters, the Pultec-style VEQ-5 and VEQ-1P equalizers, and the VTC-2 tube compressor into a single channel strip — the way an old console kept everything in one strip instead of a rack of separate boxes.

The VWB-1X Vintage Workbench is a channel strip plugin, and it's assembled from processors you may already know as standalone Black Rooster Audio plugins rather than one vague "console" model. That distinction matters: each stage is a real, individually modelled circuit — passive Pultec-style EQ, tube compression, transformer-flavoured filtering — wired into one strip so you can go from raw source to finished tone without opening five plugin windows or guessing at the gain staging between them.

The four modules, and where each one came from

First in the strip is the VHL-3C high/low-pass filter section: a stepped Low Cut from 50Hz to 2kHz and a High Cut from 1.5kHz to 15kHz for trimming rumble and top-end hiss before anything else touches the signal. Then two passive EQs. The VEQ-5 is our take on the Pultec MEQ-5 midrange equalizer — a Peak (low-mid) band from 200Hz to 1kHz, a Dip that scoops harshness or mud across 200Hz to 7kHz, and a Peak (high-mid) for presence between 1.5 and 5kHz. Alongside it, the VEQ-1P models the Pultec EQP-1A program equalizer, with its trademark simultaneous Low Frequency boost-and-attenuate at 20/30/60/100Hz, a variable-bandwidth High Frequency boost that runs from Sharp to Broad, a High Attenuation stage at 5k/10k/20k, and a Trim. Last comes the VTC-2 tube compressor, adding the warm, level-dependent glue at the end of the chain.

Why a workbench and not just a chain

The stages interact the way real analog circuits do — passive EQ feeding a tube compressor is a very different animal from two clean digital boxes in series. The VTC-2 gives you Dual/Link operation, ratios from a gentle 1:2 up to a grabby 1:20, switchable fast/slow attack and release, plus a Mix knob for parallel compression right inside the module and a Makeup gain to put the level back. The routing switch is the part you won't find on the hardware these modules descend from: it places the compressor either Pre-EQ (stabilising dynamics before you shape tone) or Post-EQ (letting your EQ moves drive the compressor's response). On top of that, a strip-wide Mid/Side mode processes centre and stereo width independently, a global dry/wet Mix blends the processed strip against the untouched source for parallel processing across the whole chain, and an Oversampling switch (Off, 2x, 4x, 8x) lets you trade CPU for cleaner high-frequency behaviour when you push the tube stage. A large central VU meter — standard VU ballistics, with -14 dBFS calibrated to 0 VU — reads Input, Gain Reduction or Output for clean gain staging, and every module, plus the whole strip, has its own bypass so you can audition each decision in isolation.

Using the VWB-1X on vocals, drums, bus and mastering

On a lead vocal, high-pass with the VHL-3C, add presence with the VEQ-5's high-mid Peak, and let the VTC-2 in Post-EQ mode ride the level so louder syllables sit down naturally. On a drum bus, the EQP-1A low-frequency shelf adds weight while gentle 1:4 compression glues the kit. Across a full mix or in mastering, switch to Mid/Side, tighten the centre with subtle compression, and use the VEQ-1P's broad high boost for air without harshening the sides. Because it's built from processors we already ship on their own, everything you learn here carries straight over to the individual VEQ-1P and its stablemates.

VWB-1X Features

VHL-3C high/low-pass filters

A stepped Low Cut from 50Hz to 2kHz and a High Cut from 1.5kHz to 15kHz let you strip rumble and top-end hiss at the front of the strip, cleaning up the source before the EQ and compressor ever see it.

VEQ-5 Pultec-style midrange EQ

Our MEQ-5-inspired section: a Peak (low-mid) band at 200Hz–1kHz, a Dip to attenuate harshness or mud across 200Hz–7kHz, and a Peak (high-mid) for presence between 1.5 and 5kHz — the classic passive midrange move built in.

VEQ-1P Pultec-style program EQ

Modelled on the EQP-1A: simultaneous Low Frequency boost and attenuation at 20/30/60/100Hz for a resonant shelf, a variable-bandwidth High Frequency boost (Sharp to Broad), High Attenuation at 5k/10k/20k, and a Trim for output level.

VTC-2 tube compressor

A tube-style dynamics stage with Dual/Link operation, ratios from 1:2 up to 1:20, switchable fast/slow attack and release, plus an in-module Mix knob for parallel compression and a Makeup gain to restore level.

Pre-EQ / Post-EQ compressor routing

Unique to the VWB-1X: a switch places the VTC-2 either before the equalizers (stabilising dynamics ahead of tone shaping) or after them (letting your EQ curves drive the compressor's response) — a flexibility the original hardware never offered.

Mid/Side stereo processing

Stereo Link keeps left and right coherent for a stable image, while Mid/Side mode processes the centre and stereo width independently — ideal for refining spatial balance and depth on buses and masters.

Global Mix and Mid/Side reprise

Beyond the VTC-2's in-module Mix, a strip-wide dry/wet Mix blends the whole processed chain against the untouched source for parallel processing across every stage at once — with Mid/Side applied to the complete strip.

Unified VU metering and module bypass

A large central VU meter uses standard VU ballistics with -14 dBFS calibrated to 0 VU, switchable between Input, Gain Reduction and Output for accurate gain staging. Every module — plus a global bypass — can be switched out individually to audition its exact contribution.

Selectable oversampling (Off / 2x / 4x / 8x)

An Oversampling switch lets you choose between Off, 2x, 4x and 8x, trading CPU load for cleaner high-frequency behaviour and reduced aliasing when the tube stage and passive networks are driven hard.

Authentic circuit emulation

Our real-time, SPICE-type component-based circuit simulation captures the sound and feel of the analog counterparts in every nuance — passive filters, passive EQ networks, transformers and tube stages all faithfully modelled.

SSE2 & Apple Silicon optimised code

DSP operations are pipelined on the SSE2 and Apple Silicon instruction sets for high-performance operation even under the strip's very complex, multi-module processing.

HighDPI / Retina support

Crisp, high-pixel-density rendering on macOS and Windows for a sharp interface across the whole workbench on modern displays.