Every now and then we come across a range of products that fills a particular gap in the market or offers unusually good value for money.
When we were contacted by EDAX, we were initially sceptical as the range seemed too good to be true, in that it claimed to fulfill both criteria - a well thought out and designed product range at a tremendous price point. Intrigued, we ordered a VTP-100 mic preamp to assess and...
We were impressed. Very impressed.
Edax VTP-100 Front View £499.00 + VAT
Both the design and build quality were typical of the best high-end US made 'boutique' equipment, but the price was...well, these fantastic units cost comparative peanuts. What is even more remarkable is the fact that the preamp includes several extremely useful features that even the most expensive tube mic pres don't offer, such as a high quality built-in headphone amp. Indeed, our revered vintage and mic tech, Dave Way, immediately ordered one for his test bench and Dave doesn't suffer crap lightly - he's the most demanding customer on the planet.
It was love at first sight and we immediately placed a large stock order for the entire range, which includes a wicked eight channel mic pre, a stunning tube compressor (based upon a Neve 33609) and a dual Pultec eq, all with a retail price of half what might be expected.
Edax VTP100 Front View
In particular, the MAX- 800 has already attracted interest and orders, which is hardly suprising as it is one of those problem solving units that neatly bridges a gap in the market. For anyone recording drums, recording on location or merely wanting the best sounding front end for their DAW in a compact space, the MAX-800 provides eight high quality tube mic preamps preamps and eight tube compressor/limiters, switchable between Optical and FET mode.
For the first time, a single unit will allow tight, controllable but fat and airy recording of multiple signals with no fear of overload. As a plug `n` go means of ensuring a full, professional sound this has no rival. My only concern is whether we can get hold of enough to satisfy what is already a sizeable demand.
So how do Edax do it?
By a combination of 'old school' engineering and design, experience in the pro market and hand made, skilled but low cost labour. And no - Edax are not made in China, but rather in Mexico, and bearing mind that a high proportion of costly, high end US gear is made by Mexican labour these days (the Texicanos...), it is pleasing to see the money go directly to the workforce rather than being skimmed off by US intermediaries.
Benjamin A Mellibovsky, the man behind the company, has been servicing pro audio equipment for twenty years and started EDAX a decade ago making custom equipment for leading producers and engineers, at first in Mexico but increasingly in the States. He knows the difference between a well designed piece of gear and a kitchen table lash-up, and his designes are honed, tried and tested by pros day in, day out. The EDAX product range therefore represents two decades of experience at the sharp end of the industry, improved and updated by client feedback and useage.
I've found my dealings with Benjamin a joy. He's a serious engineer who cares greatly about his craft. He reminds me of many of the old school UK tecs I used to deal with when starting Funky Junk - methodical, precise and demanding. He has an individual approach to design which makes an awful lot more sense than so much of the piffle propogated by the new breed of boutique designers who are in reality doing no more than ripping off classic designs (and doing it badly) and then stamping their own name on the products. Edax is as contemporary as any geaar you'll find, but uses new designs and careful manufacturing to achieve a classic sound combined with noise levels and performance demanded by modern recordists.
In short, I've come to respect both the designer and the equipment greatly in the short time we've corresponded and am proud to offer such honest and professional equipment to my family of clients
Eccentric
