The Ultimate Color Box
Tired of sterile-sounding in-the-box productions? Sweetwater has the perfect antidote: the Black Box HG-2. That’s HG, as in Holy Grail. Because once you run a lackluster mix or stem through it and hear what it can do, you’ll be a believer. The Black Box HG-2 is a stereo analog mastering processor with custom big-iron input transformers that feed high-voltage pentode and triode stages to infuse your mixes and masters with rich tube warmth, punch, and vitality. The HG-2 is a cost-effective solution for enhancing signals by imparting harmonics, saturation, and natural compression to deliver results that handily exceed those obtained by a lengthy processing chain packed with expensive equipment. If you long for mixes that brim with excitement, the Black Box HG-2 will get you there with flying colors.
Infuse your mixes and masters with warmth, richness, and vitality
Strapped across your mix bus or as the centerpiece of your mastering chain, the Black Box HG-2 breathes life into iron-poor mixes by adding sweet even-order harmonic overtones. But that’s just the beginning. The HG-2 is capable of generating everything from understated harmonic enhancement to full-tilt saturation. How does it work? In addition to the main pentode/triode path, the input transformer also feeds a parallel signal path fitted with a set of 12AT7 tubes custom voiced for harmonics and saturation. The parallel circuit includes a 3-way (low, flat, or high) frequency-selection switch that lets you choose the frequency content returning from the circuit. In the low position, the circuit saturates only the bass and lower midrange; in the high position, the high mids and treble range. Set to flat, it saturates the full bandwidth. The saturation control lets you dial in how much of the parallel signal is fed back into the main signal before it reaches the pentode stage. Finally, the signal arrives at the passive output attenuation control before hitting the custom output transformers.
Give your mix an Air lift
Thanks to the clever engineering of its frequency-selectable parallel signal path, the Black Box HG-2 offers far more than simple EQ for adding sparkle to dull tracks, beefing up the low end, and adding overall energy to complete mixes. The icing on the cake is a pair of controls that allow you to instantly fine-tune the flavor of coloration produced by the HG-2’s saturation stages. The Air button kicks in a subtle high end lift, while the Alt Tube button switches between two differently voiced 12AT7 tubes in the parallel circuit. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the unit’s rock-solid build quality and attractive styling. Packed into a hefty 3U chassis, the HG-2 is built like a tank, and the blue-and-black motif looks right at home in any professional rack. The cool blue L/R LED meters are centered on the faceplate and switchable between VU, VU/Peak, and Energy modes. There’s also a hardwire bypass that shorts the input directly to the output. Engineers at Sweetwater are delighted by the amazing sonic potential of the Black Box HG-2. Put it through the paces in your studio, and you will be, too!
Black Box HG-2 Stereo Analog Mastering Processor Features:
- Imparts rich harmonics and saturation for mixes that brim with excitement
- High-voltage pentode and triode tube stages
- Custom input and output transformers
- Parallel saturation signal path with mix control
- Selectable low, flat, or high parallel saturation frequency
- Selectable saturation tubes
- Subtle Air lift high frequency tilt
- Ultra-fine L/R trim adjust
- True hardwire bypass
- Selectable 30-segment meter with 3 modes
- Illuminated push buttons and sealed relays
- Modular internal design facilitates servicing
Tech Specs
- Processor Type:Stereo Analog Mastering Processor
- Analog Inputs:2 x XLR
- Analog Outputs:2 x XLR
- Power Supply:Standard IEC AC Cable
- Manufacturer Part Number:HG-2