clean dynamics control

Joining the Hazelrigg Industries Solutions Series, the VNE is a handcrafted, single-channel compressor designed to elegantly control dynamics without negatively affecting the tonal qualities of the source material.

 

Ideal for tracking and mixing, the Hazelrigg Industries VNE features an all Class-A vacuum tube audio path, like all D.W. Fearn and Hazelrigg Industries products. As originally introduced in the D.W. Fearn VT-7 Stereo Tube Compression Amplifier, the gain reduction circuit utilizes readily available tubes to deliver classic tube compressor performance, while employing an innovative Pulse Width Modulation control circuit to drive the compression. The combination of this precision PWM control methodology and D.W. Fearn’s high fidelity compression amplifier design result in an audio tool that delivers comprehensive dynamics control, without imparting unwanted tonal artifacts on the source material. In use, the VNE can be applied as subtly or aggressively as desired while retaining a beautifully transparent sonic signature.

 

As with all D.W. Fearn and Hazelrigg Industries offerings, each component has been hand selected for superior audio performance and rock-solid reliability and – most importantly - critical decisions in the development process were made during rigorous listening tests to ensure that the resulting device delivers superlative audio performance on any source, and on any session.  

 

In addition, the front panel of the VNE has been designed for fast, easy and intuitive operation and includes controls for Threshold, Attack, Release and Gain as well as a three-way rotary switch allowing the user to bypass compression or to insert a High-Pass Filter (HPF) in the side-chain to reduce the gain-reduction sensitivity to low frequencies. This is a gentle roll-off, nominally at 100Hz, to avoid heavy low-frequency transients from overly modulating the audio level.

All Tube Single Channel Compressor

All-Tube Signal Path

Innovative PWM Control Circuit

Amplifier Designed by D.W. Fearn

Front Panel Bypass

Handcrafted in the USA

Integrated High Pass Filter

7 Year Warranty (90 days for vacuum tubes)

Specifications

  • Transformer Coupled Input and Output

  • THD: less than 0.07%

  • Pulse Width Modulation Compression as employed in the D.W. Fearn VT-7

  • Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.5dB

  • -3dB at 5Hz and 65kHz

  • All-Tube Signal Path

  • Front Panel Output Level Indicator

  • THD: less than 0.07%

  • Signal to Noise Radio: better than 80dB

  • Rear Panel Balanced Line Input (XLR)

  • Rear Panel Balanced Line Output (XLR)

People Are Talking About VNE…

  • Bainz

    “The VNE has a unique way of enhancing any source, bringing out the harmonics while subtly rounding and evening out the frequency response.

    Problematic vocals that would otherwise need a chain of plug-ins, I would just run it through the VNE and it’d solve those issues and do it in a much more musical way. I’m a fan of any tool that allows me to use less processing in a mix.”

    - Bainz
    Mixer/Engineer: Young Thug, Gunna, Travis Scott

  • Dom Morley

    “Checked out this VNE today and it’s never leaving my studio. Makes me feel sad for everyone else’s vocal chain”

    – Dom Morley , Producer/Engineer - Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sting, Nick Cave

  • Wes Maebe

    “The VNE is one of those compressors that sounds great when nothing is happening and you can take it to the extremes without it sounding squashed or claustrophobic. If there was “another” aeronautical term for an audio processor it would be CAVU (Ceiling Audio Visibility Unlimited).”

    – Wes “Wesonator” Maebe

    Producer/Engineer: Sting, Chaka Khan, UB40 (ft. Ali Campbell & Astro), Specimen, Suzi Quattro, New Model Army, Carly Simon

  • Mat Teofilo

    “The straightforward design of the VNE is what takes away the notion of right and wrong and brings back the fun of discovering what sounds good.”

    – Mat “Songsbury” Teofilo

    Gold Record-Winning Songwriter/Musician/Producer

  • Brian Moncarz

    “The VNE is a tube compressor that sounds incredibly musical on any source. I’ve always loved the D.W. Fearn VT-7, and the VNE delivers the same kind of smooth and bold performance. Whether I was going for subtle compression or super-aggressive squashing, it handled everything I fed through it with huge sonics that really helped vocals and instruments gel in a complex production. It’s an absolute pleasure to use.”

    – Brian “Moncarz” Moncarz

    Award-Winning Engineer/Producer

  • Jessica Lynn

    “The VNE adds a warmth and punch to my vocals, letting them sit just right in any mix.”

    - Jessica Lynn

    Internationally Acclaimed, Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter/Musician/Educator

  • Mike Miller

    “The VNE is NSFW!”

    Mix Engineer: Machine Gun Kelly, Kid Cudi, Lil Nas X

people are writing about vNE…

 

“Rarely do you come across a compressor that doesn’t add that squashy “claustrophobic” thing. The VNE is one of those rare gems.” READ

— Mix Magazine, Jan, 2022

“Regardless of what’s running through vne, from vocals to acoustic guitar to bass to a drum mic, leveling is applied smoothly and with zero compromise to the audio.” READ

— Professional Sound Magazine, Jan, 2022

“VNE…clear, full, warm tone and delightful clarity.” READ

— Sound On Sound, Mar, 2022

“The Hazelrigg VNE is a top-notch single channel compressor that provides nearly transparent control, especially on lead vocals without sonic artifacts even when hard pressed.”

- Music Connection Magazine, Jun, 2022

Christian Svedin

Musician, Producer, Engineer and Gear Enthusiast, Christian Svedin, provides an overview of the Hazelrigg Industries VLC and VNE and includes some fantastic, high quality audio samples.

Mike Avanaim

Musical Director, Producer and Session Drummer, Mike Avenaim, runs the VLC and VNE through their paces in this deep dive demo clip.