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00:00 Intro
00:53 How it works?
02:21 Analog mastering
06:07 Mixing Scenario
08:43 Kick, Bass and Master Bus
12:53 freqtube ft-1 vs plugins
16:05 Why I bought it?
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PATREON: / polotrem
Freqtube is a hardware tube processor. Audio from the computer to the device and back is transmitted via the USB-C port. This means that on the way to the device the digital signal is converted to analog, and on the way back to digital again. And I will say right away that the conversion is completely transparent and works at 32-bit resolution, but more details on this in a moment. All we need to do is install the drivers and run the dedicated plug-in of the same name from the audio editor or DAW.
The front panel of the device has eight freely configurable potentiometers and a color LCD screen. But all in all, it's just an addition, it's not needed at all. I could put this device somewhere in the back or even hide it. Of course, the device requires mains power, but I didn't expect it to be different, after all, there are real lamps working inside!
This is a relatively new product, I think I first heard about it in 2022 at the Berlin Superbooth fair. I have heard about similar solutions based on a Thunderbolt connection, but the Australian company Freqport managed to create a product that works based on a USB connection and there are plans for further devices, they can be called analog plug-ins.
Pros
- beautiful tube saturation that warms the low end and midrange I find impossible to achieve with any of my 1000 software plug-ins
- very wide range of applications: from subtle tube mastering, ear-pleasing brightening, warming up bass regions, bringing vocals to life, drum bus saturation and parallel saturation and compression, adding harmonics to kick or bass, to tube distortion
- convenient operation via USB connection, without additional cables, or the need to use up physical inputs and outputs, buying a new audio interface or ADAT expansion.
- the processor, although hardware, is operated in the same way as other plug-ins, with recall of settings and automation of parameters.
- it is possible to us 4 lamps in various configurations, 2xstereo, 1xstereo and 2xmono or 4x mono
- transparent conversion (around 120dB dynamics) and very low noise level
- repeatable sound, the effect is the same every time, consistent with the settings saved in the session
- the processor can be operated using potentiometers, but it can also be placed out of view so as not to take up space on the desk
- easy start-up and ultra-stable operation, after turning on the device is recognized by the system and ready for operation, not a single problem or glitch occurred during a month of testing
- the lamps look nice
- I heard you can connect more devices to one computer
Cons
- precise setting, e.g. of the output gain, requires really precise movements, because the slightest movement is a movement of 1 or 2 dB.
- with very strong saturation, slight differences between channels appear (but you really have to crank it up and set extreme saturation fot that to occur)
- tubes lifespan is limited to a few or a maximum of several thousand hours, but then I guess you can change the tubes and they are relatively cheep.