MASTERSOUNDS LAUNCHES THE RADIUS TWO VALVE COMPACT DJ MIXER
Building on the success of its flagship Radius 4V DJ mixer, boutique mixer brand, MasterSounds, has added the compact Radius TWO VALVE to its range. The new 2 channel DJ mixer is manufactured using the highest quality components, and comprises a similar feature set as its award-winning 4 channel sibling, in a smaller footprint.
At the heart of TWO VALVE and its unique sound quality are two dual triode valves, which form part of the input buffer stage to the VCAs.

“The valves’ high input impedance minimises loading on the preceding stages but provides low output impedance to drive the VCAs, whilst natural compression smooths and warms harsh transients. Careful circuit design around the valves minimises noise and distortion,” explains leading DJ mixer designer, Andy Rigby-Jones, from MasterSounds’ technology partner, Union Audio.

TWO VALVE comprises 2 fully-featured channel strips with Aux send (switchable pre or post fader), input level trim, illuminated input select switch, a super smooth 3-band asymmetric EQ, large illuminated Cue switch and high quality ALPS rotary faders.
To the right of the channel strip features a 3-band Master EQ/Isolator, Master and Booth level controls, and headphone monitor with split and Cue/add mix control. Below the master section is a high-quality Penny & Giles crossfader, with contour control to adjust the curve from smooth mix to fast cut.

Two 36mm illuminated analogue VU meters provide accurate signal level monitoring of the mix buss, which automatically switch to monitoring the Cue level when a channel Cue is activated. If the signal level is excessive, the VU meter illumination will change from warm white to bright red.

A new split composite/passive RIAA stage featuring Vishay 2% Polypropylene capacitors, close tolerance thin film resistors and JFET pre-amplifiers provide outstanding fidelity from the turntable inputs.  All circuit coupling is through bypassed Panasonic electrolytics to preserve this fidelity throughout the entire signal chain. The icing on the cake is a pair of MUSES operational amplifiers providing world class summing for the fully balanced main mix buss.
Finally, MasterSounds mixers are hand built at Union Audio in Cornwall, UK, ensuring the finest build quality.

“TWO VALVE has been designed for clubs and DJs requiring a conventional DJ toolkit with ‘no compromise’ audio fidelity. It is the ideal companion for DJ purists who only require 2 audio channels in a premium package. The open, dynamic and transparent sound stage, portable size for carrying between venues, and intuitive feature set gives users an optimal DJ experience, be it at home or in the club,” concludes MasterSounds founder, Ryan Shaw.

Priced at £1495 including VAT.
 

 
 
The Radius Two Valve is available to purchase from the MasterSounds website and in-store and online at Phonica Records
 

It's a shame the weather has been rubbish the last couple of months, but even had the sun shone continuously we wouldn't have been able to get out and enjoy it as there has been so much work to get through!
One interesting job that's been on the back burner for a while, and one I have been itching to make a start on, is a "spare no expense" rebuild on a customers already immaculate Xone:V6, and as we have a few days before the components for the next batch of MasterSounds Radii drop, a window of opportunity has arisen!
The first job after a total strip down, has been to remove all the capacitors in the signal path as they are going to be replaced with higher specification audio grade types. The channel high-pass filters are also benefiting from some revised values to extend the low frequency range, and all the op-amps on the booth and headphone boards are being replaced with socketed JRC MUSES01s!  Needless to say, any worn pots are being replaced as a matter of course.
There are some other very special upgrades in the pipeline which will I will post in the next installment...

After what seemed like an interminable winter, spring has finally sprung so time to get the E out of the garage where she's sat since last October!  Running quite rough at first, but after a fresh tank of Shell Optimax she's purring like a kitten.  Here's to summer!

A fresh start to the New Year has seen Union Audio relocating to Rosemanowes quarry, the site of the world famous "Hot Rocks" project. The new offices provide considerably more space and a more efficient working environment, with plenty of room for future expansion.  Here's to 2017!

PRESS RELEASE

Much loved audio accessories company MasterSounds is delighted to announce the release of its next carefully conceived product, the Radius 2, an expertly engineered and lovingly hand built analogue rotary DJ mixer.
With more than twenty years’ experience of DJing, as well as a background in design and manufacturing, MasterSounds founder Ryan Shaw has teamed up with Andy Rigby-Jones, a leading figure in DJ mixer design, whose company Union Audio engineered Richie Hawtin’s recently launched PLAYdifferently MODEL 1 DJ production mixer.
 
Partnering MasterSounds and Union Audio brings together a meeting of minds, creating a truly superb Rotary mixer with a prime emphasis on quality of sound.
 
To date MasterSounds has established itself as the go-to company for people looking to upgrade their turntables to the highest specifications, whilst Ryan’s range of turntable weights now sell all over the world, with the likes of Discogs, R&S Records and Fabric all having their own personalised range. Key to the ethos of MasterSounds is Ryan’s passion for his work; he personally inspects every product he sells, at every stage of the process ensuring only the highest quality, from design to manufacturing and finishing, even hand delivering many customised turntables personally.
MasterSounds is the very definition of a boutique UK based company, an ethos echoed by Union Audio.
 
This new compact, highly portable mixer, has been developed by Union Audio at their Cornwall based workshops over the last twelve months.  Andy, former head of design for the world-renowned Allen & Heath Xone DJ mixer range, has personally designed, built and tested the analogue electronics, whilst Ryan’s family owned metalworking factory manufactured the mixers outer casing.
Each mixer is hand built, tested and shipped by Andy himself, ensuring the ultimate in quality, reliability and performance.
 
 Andy Says; “The heart of the Radius 2 is a carefully designed audio signal path, marrying classic analogue circuitry to the latest high performance components and design techniques, all of which contribute to the superb transparency of the mixer.
The main focus was on accuracy of audio reproduction, with minimal distortion, low noise floor and high headroom, aided by only using components of fine quality”.
 
While Ryan adds, “I deal with customers on a daily basis who are interested in audio upgrades, and central to the setup is usually a rotary mixer. Going back to the 70’s and the original disco era, DJs like Larry Levan of the Paradise Garage were obsessed with sound; Larry’s music choice was to play disco through a rotary mixer and a great sound system. Now people want to play their records as the original DJs did back in the 70’s as there is something purer about mixing without using faders.”
 
The Radius 2 offers a fantastic clean, open and dynamic sound on both LINE and RIAA inputs, as well as great usability. The mixer also features easy-reading VU meters, a responsive Master EQ/Isolator, a smooth natural sounding hi-pass filter on each channel, and an AUX send/Return system for easy integration of external effects.
 
This is a premium product for true music lovers that comes in at a competitive price point given the dedication, quality and love that has, and will continue to go, into each hand built unit.
 
Prices start at £1200 including VAT, and £1350 including VAT for the even higher specification version. Both available in black and silver colour options.
 
www.mastersounds.co.uk
www.unionaudio.co.uk