ABOUT THE VPRE-2C VINTAGE BOOSTER AMPLIFIER stages.

stages. In the plug-in version this has been moved to the input
The VPRE-2C is an authentic recreation of an early-50s booster
amplifier, adding carefully tuned features that make it suitable
for use in the digital domain. The plug-in is a very simple, yet
effective and versatile processor, requiring only a few mouse
clicks to introduce some serious vintage vibe to your signals.
Fuse Audio Labs has re-created the original amplifier circuit
using a set of NOS tubes and modern transformers. The amp-
lifier is a simple affair. It consists of two triode-strapped RCA
6J7 pentodes, operated in an open-loop configuration making
for roughly 54dB of gain and a rich THD spectrum dominated
by even order harmonics when driven hard. Impedance
matching is achieved by means of input and output trans-
formers that add to the unit's low-end mojo. One change has
been made in configuration of the VPRE-2C. Originally, the
hardware unit’s gain pot was located between the two tube
section for better control.
THE CONTROLS
Power (Off/On)
The power switch engages or bypasses the processor.
Gain (0 to 20)
The Gain knob controls the amount of gain applied to the in-
put signal. The plug-in applies automatic level compensation,
so this knob can be used to dial in the desired amount of tube
saturation without changing the output level.
Boost (Off/On)
The Boost switch introduces an additional 8dB of input gain in

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order to achieve more intense saturation effects.

Tone (Lo/Flat/Hi)
The Tone switch selects between three different tonal charac-
ters, Lo, Flat and Hi. These are achieved by using additional
pre-/de-emphasis shelving filters that affect the low-end re-
sponse of the preamp emulation. The “Hi” setting is especially
useful if the output becomes “muddy” at higher gain settings.

Mix (0 to 100%)
The Mix control sets the amount of effect present in the out-
put signal by applying a gradual cross fade between the dry
and processed signals (0%/Fully CCW = only the dry signal is
present at the output, 100%/Fully CW = only the wet signal is
present at the output).

Trim (-3 to +12 db)

The Trim control enables additional level matching of the plug-
in’s output by applying linear gain scaling to the output signal.

Collapse/Expand GUI
Moving the mouse cursor to the upper left corner of the plug-
in’s front panel brings up an icon that enables the top section
of the front panel to be hidden. This is a global preference and
is saved for all VPRE-2C plugin instances.

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GLOBALLY LINKED GROUPS

Group Icon (None/Group 1..16)

The Link button (located on the lower right of the user inter-
face) is used to assign the respective plugin instance to the se-
lected group. Once assigned, the plugin will synchronize its
settings with all other instances that are assigned to the same
group. Selecting None allows the plugin instance to be con-
trolled individually again. The plugin will restore its previous
settings once it is unlinked again. You may hold down the
modifier key, i.e. Alt (AU/AAX) or CMD/Ctrl (VST2/VST3) in order
to retain the current settings from the link group.

All currently loaded plugin instances can be set to the same

group or unassigned by using Shift+Click.

Hold down the 'x' key while editing a parameter in order to

keep it from synchronizing with its current link group. This way
individual parameters can be edited freely even when a group
is assigned.

NOTE: In some hosts the Global Link feature may be unavailable

because plug-ins are hosted in a “sandbox” so the instances can't
see each other. Also, grouping is only possible between instances
of the same plug-in format, e.g. VST and VST but not VST and AU.

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SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM

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KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS PLUGIN ACTIVATION

VST hosts Fuse Audio Labs plugins can be tested for 14 days without any
restrictions. After installing the plug-in click the "Activate Trial"
Ctrl/CMD+Click: Reset to default
button in the plugin GUI to start the trial period.
Alt+Drag: Switch to circular knob mode
Shift+Drag/Mouse wheel: Fine control
Activating a full license requires the purchase of a product ac-
tivation key from the Fuse Audio Labs website. The activation
AU / AAX hosts
key will be sent by email once the payment process has been
Alt+Click: Reset to default successfully completed.
Shift+Drag/Mouse wheel: Fine control
To activate a plug-in click "Activate plugin..." in the plugin GUI
All hosts or the drop down menu, enter the email address and product
Double Click: Reset to default / jump to value activation key, and click the "Activate" button. The plug-in will
now be activated.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
FAQS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• Intel compatible or Apple Silicon CPU
• 2GB RAM A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the Fuse
• Mac OS 10.9 or newer (Mac users) Audio Labs website on the following page:
• Windows 7 or newer (PC users)
• A display resolution of 1280x1024 pixels or more https://fuseaudiolabs.com/faq.html
• A VST2, VST3, AAX or AU compatible 64-bit host (Mac
users) The Fuse Audio Labs tech support can be reached via the fol-
• A VST2, VST3 or AAX compatible 32-bit or 64-bit host (PC lowing link:
users)
https://fuseaudiolabs.com/support.html