Heritage Herchild Next Gen Model 670N

A Modern Reimagining of the Legendary Fairchild 670

For over six decades, recording, mastering, and broadcast engineers alike have coveted the grandaddy of compressors, the iconic Fairchild. This reverence is due to its inimitably smooth, creamy, and natural-sounding dynamics control, heard on countless classic recordings of the ’60s, ’70s, and beyond. Less than 1,000 were ever built, and today they are exceedingly rare, and even more so if you’re seeking one in good working condition. If you can find a suitable stereo Model 670, it will command a hefty price commensurate with its 66-pound curb weight. Fortunately, Heritage Audio addressed this quandary several years ago with the Herchild Model 670, a formidable re-creation that delivered the sought-after sonics and program-dependent behavioral characteristics of this classic tube compressor, along with modern precision, premium components, and robust build quality — at a fraction of the price (and weight) of a functioning vintage unit. Now, Heritage Audio genius strikes again with the Herchild Next Gen 670N.

What’s new in the Next Gen

The Herchild Next Gen 670N delivers the same outstanding performance as its esteemed predecessor — but amps up the functionality exponentially with new features tailored for modern production, such as independent bypass, sidechain filtering, and a redesigned, sonically transparent output makeup gain stage for each channel based on Heritage Audio’s acclaimed transformer-coupled HA-880 op-amp. The six Attack and Release times have been thoughtfully revamped to accommodate today’s production requirements. The progressive DC threshold, which combines ratio and knee control, has also been tweaked to provide a more useful transition between hard limiting and transparent compression. These innovative enhancements make the Herchild Model 670N considerably more flexible than the original Herchild 670.

Smart, program-dependent soft-knee compression

The buttery-smooth sound of the vocals on Beatles’ records is largely thanks to the original Model 660, the mono version of the famous compressor, of which EMI Studios (Abbey Road) owned several. An inherent sonic attribute of this type of “vari-mu” dynamics control is the gentle, soft knee of the compression curve, with reasonably fast attack and fairly long release times. It’s also program dependent, so gain reduction starts at a very low ratio on small peaks and gradually increases to brickwall territory on very loud input signals. While on the Fairchild, the DC Threshold is adjusted via an internal trimpot, the Herchild Model 670N brings the powerful DC Threshold control out to the front panel for immediate access. This allows for adjustment over a wide range, from a seamless transition between compression and hard limiting to a harder, more pronounced knee. Another valuable feature is a sidechain filter that allows you to minimize the influence of low frequencies on compression action.

Discover the power of mid-side processing

Like its vintage inspiration, the Heritage Audio Herchild 670N works differently from most other compressors. Dating back to the early 1950s, the original design addressed the need for effective level control in vinyl disc mastering. The stereo long-playing record was becoming established and existed alongside monaural LPs. Being that stereo disc grooves stored twice the amount of information as those of a mono LP, dynamic shaping of the program material was essential (as was stereo/mono compatibility). The 670, placed in front of a cutting lathe, gave the mastering engineer precise control over the depth and the width of the grooves in order to maintain sufficient program length and level for an LP to be competitive with other commercial releases. Like the original, the Herchild 670N features LAT VERT and LAT VERT LINK modes. If you’ve discovered the advantages of mixing and mastering with mid-side (M-S) processing, LAT VERT gives you mid-side functionality for mixes with increased width, depth, and focus. LAT VERT LINK does the same, but with the two channels linked.

Heritage Audio: legendary performance and epic value

Founded in 2011 by engineer/producer Peter Rodriguez, Heritage Audio immediately set about designing and manufacturing equipment inspired by legendary vintage British console modules. The company leverages the same handwired, transformer-coupled Class A circuitry, with functionality aimed at today’s studio workflows. In 2021, the company turned its attention across the Atlantic with the acclaimed MotorCity EQ. Then, in short order, along came the Herchild 670 and 660, the Grandchild 670/500, and now the Herchild Next Gen 670N. Designed to stringent tolerances and meticulously crafted in the company’s factory in Spain, Heritage Audio gear delivers clean, problem-free audio with generous headroom and the vintage-flavored sonics we all crave. Sweetwater is proud to offer you this distinguished line of high-performance pro audio equipment.

• Finally, the Fairchild for those who can’t justify the price tag of a full scale HERCHILD Model 670 or don’t want to commit to the 500 series format.
• A true recreation of the classic Fairchild sound in an impressive 5 rack unit beast with hands on stepped controls for every parameter.
• Real Vari-MU compression powered by 4 NOS military grade 6BA6 tubes and 6 custom made transformers at its core.
• 6 Attack and Release times that have been adapted to today’s production needs, making it more flexible than the original unit.
• Advanced Side-chain filtering for modern day productions.
• LAT/VERT mode makes MID/SIDE processing possible.
• Dual mono / Stereo functionality.
• Immediate access to the continuously variable slope.
• Independent bypass for each channel.
• Output gain make-up.
• Clean, intelligent design that guarantee many years of use.
• Outstanding looks that will attract the sight of everyone that enters your studio.
• Hand-built in Madrid., Spain