D.W. Fearn VT-3 - Manual (Page 7)

VT-I/F Vacuum Tube Instrument Interface
D.W. FEARN
8
This prototype was evaluated by a number of studio friends, who made some
useful suggestions. These suggestions were incorporated into the second proto-
type, and the VT-3 design was complete. By the way, our evaluators were very,
very reluctant to return the prototype.
Why does the VT-3 sound so good? For one thing, it provides the proper load to
the instrument. This is vital for an unrestricted sound. The frequency response is
flat from 10 cps to 20 kc, with -3 dB points at 0.5 cps and 90 kc. The VT-3 circuit
is very similar to the circuit of the VT-1/VT-2, with a different input design. The
output is identical to the VT-1/VT-2 but operates at a lower level.
The VT-3 has been used on electric and acoustic (with a pickup) guitars, elec-
tric and acoustic (with a pickup) bass, electric pianos, synthesizers, samplers, etc.
and it sounds great on all of them. It will not overload on any instrument, although
when driven hard, the sound becomes fatter. It has enough gain, and it’s quiet
enough, for use with very low level instruments, like finger-picked acoustic gui-
tar.
The lifeless, restricted sound I thought was part of direct recording is gone. The
VT-3 has depth, fullness, dynamics, and excitement while remaining quiet and
under control with any instrument.
Douglas W. Fearn
October 2006