Track Pack (Deluxe)

TrackPack is an analog channel strip in compact API500 format. The black housing, in combination with the brushed aluminum surfaces, is a real eyecatcher and so compact that nothing stands in the way of taking it along to an external recording session or live performance. It features a mic preamp and compressor/limiter, and the deluxe version adds an equalizer.

The single-channel preamplifier 6X-500 is characterized by transformer balancing and integrated passive equalizer. When recording, it impressed us with a very warm, round and „thick“sound with a powerful midrange. The highs are rather restrained, but this can be compensated for using the EQ. When hot, it can sound very direct and intimate, including nice harmonic saturation.

The 7X-500 FET-style Compressor also comes in the same chic design. Here, the chain with 20 LEDs for displaying the level control/level reduction is immediately noticeable - unusual for a compact 500 module, but without question very helpful! The parameters are based on the legendary 1176, but some of them can be adjusted in sensible steps. The popular „all-button-in“is emulated by the extreme ratio setting of 100:1. Mix controls for parallel compression and highpass filters for the sidechain channel are useful additions. The compressor acted very musically during the test recordings. At moderate settings, the dynamics of vocals could be sensibly limited without transients and other important details being lost. More extreme settings provided convincing “in-your-face“vocals and punchy drums.

In the Track Pack Deluxe, there is another classic - the PEX-500 is based on the famous Pultec EQP1. The special feature is the simultaneous boost and cut of closely spaced frequencies, the „Pultec trick“. With these additional possibilities, as well as its classic vintage sound, the PEX500 perfectly complements the more modern sounding EQ in the preamp.

Verdict

The Track Pack Deluxe is a very compact and relatively inexpensive solution for bringing analog mojo into the cramped Desktop Studio. And this channel strip can also provide that special sound at a jam session or live performance. The reference to legendary models, which many users are probably already familiar with, at least as a plug-in, makes it easy to get started.

Manufacturer: Lindell Audio

Web: www.lindellaudio.se

Distrib: Audiowerk

Price: 999 Euro / 1,399 Euro (Deluxe)