Thermionic Culture has unleashed Little Red Bustard, the follow up to The Fat Bustard summing mixer. Even though Bustard is the little brother, he still has a few tricks up his sleeve. He doesn’t possess the grownup EQ and Stereo Width, but he does retain the unique Attitude control, while adding more channels and dropping the price.
The Little Red employs the same input circuit and Attitude section as the Fat Bustard, using the same type twin triode valves. However, instead of having EQs and Stereo Spread, there is only the “AIR” control which works on the very high end. Because the unit contains no solid state in the audio path, the use of this control will enhance the sound with a velvety sheen typical of the best all-valve equipment with none of the harshness found in some solid state units.
The output stage is very similar to that of The Fat Bustard, except that for reasons of space and heat, smaller double triodes are employed. All valves are mil spec NOS types. The max output level is still well above +20 dBv, adequate for any DAW. All inputs and outputs are on XLRs, with inputs “semi floating” and outputs unbalanced. A balancing box containing two Sowter transformers is available if required.
On the front panel you will find eight toggle switches to switch in pairs of channels, two more toggles to switch channels 15 & 16 to make two mono channels. AIR, a rotary pot, ATTITUDE, a 6 position switch, and a matched pair of pots controlling output levels. There is also a mains power switch and of course the Little Red Bustard’s eyes light up and go bloodshot as the sound gets louder. Fun!
The frequency response goes well above and below audio range, similarly all other specs are practically the same as The Fat Bustard. Vic Keary and Jonathan Bailes of Sound Box Creations designed the Little Red Bustard.
Green’s Little Red Bustard will begin shipping sometime in December for £1950.
Thermionic Culture
