Heritage Audio BRITSTRIP User manual

USER MANUAL
August/2022)Rev.)1.0.)
CHANNEL STRIP WITH DIODE BRIDGE COMPRESSOR
RACKMOUNT

2
INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION
GETTING STARTED
APPLICATIONS!
SPECIFICATIONS!
SIGNAL FLOW!
TROUBLE SHOOTING
WARRANTY STATEMENT
REGISTRATION!
RECALL SHEETS
2
2
3
5
7
11
12
13
14
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Thank you for choosing the BRITSTRIP. Heritage Audio is dedicated to bringing you ´the sound of yesterday for
tomorrow´. We specialize in capturing that unique, enticing sound that everybody has fallen in love with. For years
engineers, producers and musicians have been yearning for that classic vibe. Usually the only option is to search for
old, used original equipment that is almost always in a questionable state of operation. This brings with it a whole lot of
other issues, making the experience less than desirable. Not to mention the very high prices asked for this equipment,
which makes them virtually unobtainable for the great majority. Now it´s possible to obtain that same sound with a brand
new piece that will give you all the problem-free, heavy-duty use you´ll need for years of music making history.
Peter Rodriguez
CEO!
Heritage Audio - Madrid, Spain
INTRODUCTION
© 2022 Heritage Audio S.L. is the sole owner of the copyright of all information and drawings contained in this manual which are not to be copied or
reproduced by any means or disclosed in part or whole to any third party without written permission.
Heritage Audio reserves the right to alter specifications without notice. The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to
be accurate at the time of publication. However, no responsibility is taken by us for inaccuracies, errors or omissions nor any liability assumed for any
loss or damage resulting either directly or indirectly from use of the information contained within it.
BRITSTRIP
AC POWER CORD EU & US
POWER SUPPLY HA-PSU03

DESCRIPTION
BRITSTRIP
The Heritage Audio BRITSTRIP is the culmination of over 50 years of high end analog design all bundled up in a single
easily navigated rack unit. The BRITSTRIP nails the sound of yesterday’s iconic recordings for today’s demanding
musicians, engineers and producers.!
Combining a real-deal 73 mic preamplifier, an expanded 73 equalizer, a discrete Class A D.I., and the infamous diode
bridge compressor from the Heritage Audio Successor, the BritStrip will cover all the bases. The closest equivalent of
the BritStrip would be chaining together a 73 JR II, 73 EQ JR and mono Successor — a $3000 value pack in itself, with
added routing flexibility.
The BRITSTRIP proudly starts off with the same preamp found in our well-loved 73 JR, with a new custom input
transformer co-designed by Carnhill and exclusively made for Heritage Audio in their St Ives factory. The preamp also
features a custom designed Carnhill St Ives output transformer to complete its all discrete, Class A, 3-gain stage design.
The preamp features a hearty 80 dB of gain, a 20 dB pad, phase reversal and an impedance switch for switching
between 1200 Ωand 300 Ωat input.
The D.I. is also taken from the highly acclaimed design found in the Heritage Audio 73 JR, an all-discrete Class A JFET
circuit in front of the microphone transformer, giving you all of the color and weight you could ask for. Being in front of
the MIC transformer gives you lots of creative flexibility to push the signal as much as you see appropriate. !
The D.I. also includes a passive thru output to feed a separate amplifier simultaneously while also passing the signal
through the rest of the unit, the EQ and compressor.
The BRITSTRIP EQ features 3 Vinkor pot core inductors in the mid-band and high-pass filter sections. The impact of an
inductor circuit is hard to believe with extreme boosts being exceptionally musical with minimal to no artefacts.!
The mid-band is great for sculpting fat and punchy snares, kicks, guitars, vocals, you name it! No need to be subtle like
you would with most EQs, the BRITSTRIP doesn’t sound phasey or lose headroom in extreme settings.!
The inductor-based low-pass filter, directly taken from the 73 design, lets you control out of range low end, without
affecting the quality of your desired frequencies.!
The high and low shelves have been extended to include a bell mode, making them even more versatile than ever
before.
The equalizer section consists of high and low shelves in a Baxandall arrangement, with enhanced PEAK response, a
dual inductor-based mid band with dual Q switch, and an inductor based passive high pass filter. Essentially an
enhanced 73 equalizer section.
Frequencies are as follows:
- !High shelf: 10, 12 and 16 kHz, PEAK or SHELF curve response.
- !Mid band: 360, 700, 1600, 3200, 4800 or 7200 Hz. Hi or Lo Q.
- !Low shelf: 60, 110 or 220 Hz, PEAK or SHELF curve response.
- !High Pass Filter: 50, 80, 160 or 300 Hz, 18 dB/oct.
The equalizing section is followed by the Output control, to allow for perfect gain staging after equalizing.
3

4
The included diode bridge bus compressor needs little introduction, as it’s the same compressor found in the multi
award-nominated Heritage Audio Successor. Diode bridge compression, a 60 year old patent, took on a whole new life
with the expanded features and incredibly fast Attack & Release times of the Successor. Unlike vintage diode bridge
designs, the compressor in the BRITSTRIP has a range of release times that goes from ultra-fast, FET like values, to
very slow, VCA like gentle timings, making this unit arguably one of the most versatile tracking compressors to date.
!
A blend circuit with ON/OFF function makes parallel compression an easy option and something sure to be used
frequently as there is immediate access to this feature. Providing you with plenty of control, the BRITSTRIP can give
instruments that “record-ready” sound, giving them a finished “real-time feel” as they are being recorded.!
To make things even more versatile, a complex side chain filter has been implemented, departing from the traditional
high pass one. This provides plenty of flexibility, with 5 frequency options and an external side chain input for even more
precise control. And if that weren’t enough, 2 BRITSTRIPs can have their compressors linked for the ultimate stereo
tracking solution.
COMPRESSOR CONTROLS:
- #DYN IN: Activates the compression section.
- #DYN PRE EQ: Places the compression section ahead of the EQ.
- #GAIN MAKEUP: Recovers gain from 0 to 20 dB.
- #RATIO: 1.5:1, 2:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1.
- #THRESHOLD: From -20 to +20 dBu.
- #RELEASE: 50, 100, 200, 400 ms and AUTO.
- #ATTACK FAST: Activates the faster attack.
- #SIDECHAIN FILTER: OFF, 50 and 100 High Pass Filter, 800 and 3k Peak, and 5k High Cut Filter.
- #BLEND: From fully DRY to fully WET.
- #BLEND ON: Activates the blend circuit.
-VU/GR: Meter activity either Gain reduction or output level.
The BRITSTRIP allows for flexible compression and equalizer routing. EQ’ing pre-compression makes the
compression detector more sensitive to the boosted frequencies and less sensitive to those cut. Inversely, EQ´ing
post compression makes the detector circuit insensitive to the EQ settings allowing you to mould your signals
even more.
!

GETTING STARTED
5
FRONT
1
2
3
4
5
THRU
To send the D.I. signal to an
AMP
LIFT
Lifts the ground from the THRU
input
PHANTOM POWER SWITCH
Activates 48 V, with indicating
red light
MIC PAD BUTTON
20 dB Reduction Ahead of Input
Transformer
PEAK
Switches the SHELF response
curve to PEAK
1
D.I. Jack:
Tip: Signal!
Sleeve: Ground!
Tip=Signal
Sleeve=Ground/Shield
Tip
Sleeve
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
5
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
27
29
28
26
30
31
32
33
6
7
8
9
10
H.P. FILTER
-3 dB at 4 Selectable High Pass
Frequencies
OUTPUT
Attenuates the EQ output
signal
EQL
Activates the EQ section
PHASE
Inverts the signal 180 degrees
LINK
Sends the DC control signal to
the RCA connector
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12
13
14
15
RELEASE
4 Selectable Fixed Options and
AUTO
THRESHOLD
Fully variable from +20 dBu to
-20 dBu
BLEND
Parallel Compression
Continually variable from 100%
WET to 100 % DRY
VU/GR
Switches the meter from
tracking gain reduction to
output level
METER
Measures Gain reduction in dB
or Output level.
16
17
18
19
20
D.I. INPUT
High Impedance Class A JFET
LINE
Swaps the unit into LINE mode
LOZ
Switches the input impedance
from 1200 Ωto 300Ωin MIC
mode
D.I. INDICATOR
Lights up green when jack is
inserted
INPUT GAIN SWITCH
Sets the input gain in 5dB
increments from 30 to 80 dB in
MIC mode, 40 dB less in LINE
mode
21
22
23
24
25
HI SHELF
Adjusts the Boost/Cut (Inside)
and Selects the Frequency
(Outside)
HI Q
Sets a higher Q for the mid
band
MID SHELF
Adjusts the Boost/Cut (Inside)
and Selects the Frequency
(Outside)
LOW SHELF
Adjusts the Boost/Cut (Inside)
and Selects the Frequency
(Outside)
SC. EXT
Takes the AC control signal
from the Sidechain In connector
26
27
28
29
30
DYN IN
Activates the Dynamics section
DYN PRE EQ
Places the dynamics section
ahead of the equalizer
RATIO
From 1.5:1 to 10:1 on a 5
position rotary switch
GAIN MAKEUP
Allows for restoring the gain
loss up to 20dB
ATTACK FAST
Switches the attack to the
fastest setting
31
32
33
SC. FILTER
4 Selectable Frequencies for
the Side Chain of the Dynamics
BLEND ON
Switch to activate the BLEND
POWER
Turns on the unit

GETTING STARTED
6
REAR
1
2
3
4
POWER INPUT
To Be Connected to the HA PSU03
Power Supply
LINE OUTPUT
Gold Plated Male XLR Connector
SIDECHAIN
Unbalanced Send & Return 1/4 Jack
LINK
Female RCA Connector to pair to units
for stereo use
6
3
2
1
D.I. Jack:
Tip: Signal!
Sleeve: Ground!
Tip=Signal
Sleeve=Ground/Shield
Tip
Sleeve
All XLRs are:
Pin 1: GND!
Pin 2: Hot!
Pin 3: Cold
1
2
3
3
2
1
GND!
Hot (+)!
Cold (-)
MALE XLR
FEMALE XLR
5
4
5
6
LINE INPUT
Gold Plated Female XLR Connector
MIC INPUT
Gold Plated Female XLR Connector
RCA:
Tip: Signal!
Sleeve: Ground!
Tip
Tip=Signal
Sleeve=Ground/Shield
Sleeve

7
MIC
APPLICATIONS
D.I.
LINE
MIC INPUT
USB - COMPUTER
GUITAR FX PEDAL
USB - COMPUTER
LINE OUTPUT - KEYBOARD
LINE INPUT
ACTIVATE LINE SWITCH
LINE INPUT - AUDIO INTERFACE
LINE INPUT - AUDIO INTERFACE
CONDENSER MIC
OUTPUT
ACTIVATE +48 V FOR CONDENSER MIC
OUTPUT
OUTPUT
D.I. INPUT
USB - COMPUTER
LINE INPUT - AUDIO INTERFACE

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DRUM
RECORDING
KICK
SNARE
HI HAT
TOM 1
OH - L
SNARE
TOM 2
OH - R
1 - MIC INPUT
2 - MIC INPUT
3 - MIC INPUT
4 - MIC INPUT
5 - MIC INPUT
6 - MIC INPUT
7 - MIC INPUT
8 - MIC INPUT
1
2
3
5
4
8
7
6
MONITOR
SPEAKER
THUNDERBOLT
COMPUTER
LINE
INPUTS
DRUM
MIC INPUTS 1-8
OUTPUTS 1-8

MIXING
CHANNEL INSERT
MIXING
EXT SIDECHAIN
THUNDERBOLT
COMPUTER
MONITOR
SPEAKERS
ACTIVATE LINE SWITCH
LINE OUTPUT CH-1
INTERFACE
LINE INPUT CH-1
INTERFACE
ACTIVATE LINE SWITCH
9
THUNDERBOLT
COMPUTER
MONITOR
SPEAKERS
TO EQ INPUT
FROM EQ OUTPUT
GRAPHIC EQ FOR SIDE CHAIN CONTROL
ACTIVATE SC. EXT
LINE INPUT CH-1
INTERFACE
LINE OUTPUT CH-1
INTERFACE

MIXING
STEREO LINK
10
THUNDERBOLT
COMPUTER
MONITOR
SPEAKERS
ACTIVATE LINE SWITCH
LEFT CHANNEL
ACTIVATE LINE SWITCH
RIGHT CHANNEL
ACTIVATE LINK SWITCH
ACTIVATE LINK SWITCH
LINE INPUT CH-1 (LEFT)
INTERFACE
LINE INPUT CH-2 (RIGHT)
INTERFACE
LINE OUTPUT CH-1 (LEFT)
INTERFACE
LINE OUTPUT CH-2 (RIGHT)
INTERFACE
MUST CONNECT AN RCA
CABLE BETWEEN THE TWO
LINK INPUTS

SPECIFICATIONS
•Carnhill based, transformer coupled balanced inputs and outputs for added character and vintage vibe.
•73 style class A output stages bring the desired 73 sound to your mix or drum buses.
•Microphone input impedance: HI=1200 Ωminimum, LO=300 Ωminimum.
•Line input impedance: 10 KΩbridging, transformer balanced and floating.
•DI input impedance: Greater than 2 MΩ, unbalanced.
•Output impedance: Less than 75 Ω, transformer balanced and floating, to drive a load of 600 Ω(factory terminated).
•Maximum output: Greater than +26 dBu into 600 Ω.
•THD: Less than 0,025 % at 1 kHz, less than 0,05 % at 100 Hz.
•Frequency response: 20 Hz ( +0,3 dB ) to 20 kHz (-0,2 dB).
•Maximum gain: Slightly greater than 80 dB.
•Noise: Less than -125 dBu EIN.
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•Maximum input level: Over +22 dBu.
•Maximum output level: Over +25,5 dBu into 600 Ω.
•MIC Input EIN: -125 dBu @ 60 dB.
•MIC Input impedance: 300 Ωor 1200 Ωselectable.
•DI Input impedance: Greater than 2 MΩ.
•THD+N (50Hz- 20kHz): DYNAMIC IN not engaged, less than 0,07 % at +20 dBu.
•Frequency response: +- 0,5 dB, 15 Hz- 30 kHz.
•Line Input impedance: 10 KΩ, transformer balanced and floating.
•Output impedance: Less than 75 Ω, transformer balanced and floating, Class A driven.
•Dimensions BRITSTRIP (W x H x L): 482 mm x 44 mm (1 Rack unit) x 184 mm.!
Dimensions
Technical Specifications
Mic Amp Section

SIGNAL FLOW
12
MIC/LINE INPUT
LINE OUTPUT
PAD
LOZ
PHASE
D.I.
INPUT AMP
OUTPUT AMP
HIGH PASS !
FILTER
EQUALIZER
COMPRESSOR
PRE EQ

TROUBLE SHOOTING
PROBLEMS
SOLUTIONS
There doesn´t seem to be any power feeding the
BRITSTRIP.
Make sure the HA-PSU03 power supply has been
connected.
There is no signal from my MIC.
Make sure the LINE button is not pressed.
There is no signal from my D.I.
Make sure the LINE button is not pressed.
There is still no signal from my D.I. even without the LINE
button pushed.
Push the LINE button several times repeatedly just in case
it got stuck or there was a bad contact.
There is no signal from my MIC.
Make sure the 48 V button is pressed.
There is still no signal from the BRITSTRIP.
Make sure the GAIN MAKEUP is not fully turned down.
There is a ground like noise on my amp.
Try pushing the ´LIFT´ button to see if it helps.
While adjusting the GAIN my signal suddenly disappears.
There is just way too much compression occurring.
Try adjusting the BLEND knob to make the effect lest
severe.
The low end seems to be overpowering the compressor.
Adjust the SC FILTER so the compressor is not so
sensitive to lower frequencies. If necessary, insert a
graphic EQ for more control.
I can not get my two BRITSTRIPs to link together.
Have you connected the necessary cable between the two
to make the link?
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* For any further doubts or questions please get in contact with us at: [email protected]!
Make sure you are not simply in the ´OFF¨ position,
between the two gain stages.

LIMITED 2 YEAR WARRANTY
Heritage Audio BRITSTRIP is warranted by Heritage Audio SL to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for
the period of 2 years to the original purchaser. In the event of such defects, the product will be repaired without charge
or, at our option, replaced with a new one if delivered to Heritage Audio prepaid, together with a copy of the sales slip or
other proof of purchase date. The warranty excludes problems due to normal wear, abuse, shipping damage or failure
to use the product in accordance with the specifications.
Heritage Audio shall not be liable for damages based upon inconvenience, loss of use of the product, loss of time,
interrupted operation or commercial loss or any other damages, whether incidental, consequential or otherwise.
This warranty is not transferable.
Heritage Audio and the Heritage Audio “H” logos are registered Trademarks owned and/or licensed by Heritage Audio.
REGISTRATION
14
Please visit our website:
WARRANTY STATEMENT
https://heritageaudio.com/registration/

RECALL SHEETS
15
Session / Title: Track: Connected Equipment: !
Date: Instrument: Notes:
Switch ON
Switch OFF
Session / Title: Track: Connected Equipment: !
Date: Instrument: Notes:
Switch ON
Switch OFF

www.heritageaudio.com
HERITAGE AUDIO. C/ Alfonso Gómez, 38, 3C. 28037 Madrid – Spain. Tel: [phone]
[email protected]