Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $90,373
High-end/Boutique
$100
$501+
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Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Fairchild 670 Compressor-Limiter". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Step into a world of vintage audio excellence with the Fairchild 670 Compressor-Limiter, a legendary piece that has shaped the sound of countless iconic recordings. Revered for its 20-tube, dual-channel vacuum tube design, this meticulously handcrafted re-creation offers the same warmth and depth that made the original an industry heavyweight. Its reputation for delivering creamy, natural-sounding dynamics control is unmatched, making it a coveted tool for professional engineers and audiophiles alike.
The Fairchild 670 is engineered for unparalleled versatility, featuring a unique control set that allows for both dual-mono and stereo operations. Its handwired point-to-point circuitry ensures low distortion and noise, making it ideal for high-fidelity audio applications. The compressor's program-dependent nature gently manages dynamic range, transitioning from a low ratio on small peaks to a robust limiting effect on louder signals, ensuring your mix maintains clarity and punch.
Whether you're mastering for vinyl or crafting a modern digital masterpiece, the Fairchild 670 provides the flexibility to optimize mid-side processing and stereo imaging. Its selection of six time constants for attack and release times lets you tailor the compression curve to perfectly fit your material. With the Fairchild 670 in your studio, every instrument and vocal track will shine with the smooth, buttery sound that has become synonymous with classic analog recordings.
Key Features:
- Dual-mono and stereo operation
- Handwired point-to-point construction
- Tube-driven amplification with 20 tubes
- Custom-designed transformers
- 6 selectable attack/release time constants
- Threshold, compression, and makeup gain controls
- VU limiting metering
Product specs
| Brand | Fairchild |
| Model | 670 Compressor / Limiter |
| Finish | Bronze |
| Year | 1960s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Compressors and Limiters |
FAQs
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What makes the Fairchild 670 Compressor-Limiter unique compared to other compressors?
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The Fairchild 670 is renowned for its vintage tube circuitry and variable mu design, which deliver a warm, smooth compression ideal for mastering and mix bus applications. Its intricate time constant settings allow for precise control over attack and release times, making it a staple in high-end studios.
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Is the Fairchild 670 suitable for both mixing and mastering?
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Yes, the Fairchild 670 is highly versatile and suitable for both mixing and mastering. Its ability to provide gentle compression and rich harmonic character makes it ideal for adding warmth and cohesion to mixes and masters alike.
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How does the Fairchild 670 handle stereo sources?
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The Fairchild 670 is designed for stereo operation, featuring dual channels that can be linked for precise stereo imaging. This makes it an excellent choice for processing stereo buses and adding uniform compression across both channels.
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What are the typical applications for the Fairchild 670 Compressor-Limiter?
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The Fairchild 670 is commonly used on mix buses, vocals, and orchestral recordings to achieve a polished, cohesive sound. Its legendary tone and dynamic control make it a go-to for professional engineers seeking vintage warmth and character.
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Can the Fairchild 670 be used for modern music production?
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Absolutely, the Fairchild 670's timeless sound quality and dynamic range control make it suitable for both vintage and contemporary music production. Its ability to add warmth and depth is valued in modern genres, from pop to electronic music.
Videos
Doctor Mix
The Fairchild 670 Compressor In Action
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fairchild 670 Compressor-Limiter.
Features and functionality
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The Fairchild 670 acts as a high-ratio compressor with a program-dependent ratio, adjusting the compression based on input signal strength.
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The Fairchild 670's Time Constant settings range significantly, with options like #4 offering an attack of 0.8 ms and a release of 5 sec for varied sonic impacts.
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Comparisons
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Unlike digital limiters like RVox, the Fairchild 670 does not function as a brick-wall limiter, being more akin to analog compression.
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The Fairchild 670's attack speed, ranging from 0.8 to 0.2 milliseconds, is slower than models like the 1176, making it less effective for capturing fast peaks.
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Similar vari-mu compressors like the Manley Vari-Mu and SPL Iron are alternative options for those seeking similar tonal characteristics to the Fairchild 670.
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In contrast to the LA-2A's optical cell gain reduction, the Fairchild 670 utilizes a vari-mu approach with tube-based gain control, offering a different tonal character.
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Use cases and applications
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The Fairchild 670 is recommended at the end of a vocal chain or bus for subtle compression, rather than on individual vocals.
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It's noted that the Fairchild 670 can be effective on electric guitar tracks, maintaining transient integrity while adding tube warmth.
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The Fairchild 670 may not be ideal for hip hop/pop mastering due to its tendency to reduce low-end presence, which can be crucial for those genres.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
Used on the bass drum for Donald Fagen's Morph the Cat, as stated by mix engineer Elliott Scheiner in this August 2006 Sound on Sound interview.
"Donald had done his other overdubs there," comments the engineer, "and was comfortable there. They have a Neve VR and all the analogue equipment that we needed, so it made sense to mix there. The mixes went from Pro Tools through the Neve VR and then to two-track half-inch analogue. Since I hardly use EQ during mixing, any EQ that I do will be applied during the mix. So I did some EQ-ing, and added some reverb, using the EMT 140 plates at Avatar, and also a Lexicon 480 and a TC3000. I only used room mics on the drums. I also used a Fairchild 670 on the bass and kick drum. There was no compression during recording."
Album Usage
The Fairchild 670 Compressor-Limiter has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fairchild 670 Compressor-Limiter, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Similar
Add recommendation6 alternative and related items for Fairchild 670 Compressor-Limiter, curated by the Equipboard community.
$20,000.00
A "recreation", as described in the official product description: http://www.anthonydemarialabs.com/products.html
Four years to develop, 16 vacuum tubs along with eight custom transformers is truly a faithful recreation of the original and stands alone.
$2,925.67 - $3,408.60
A more affordable clone of the Fairchild 670, that makes it easy to rotate tubes to achieve different sounds.
$11,999.00
A retro looking, fully featured clone of the Fairchild 670, with expanded controls.
$2,999.00 - $9,590.00
Heritage Audio's vintage style take on the Fairchild 670.
$29,500.00 - $32,490.00
A modern day replica of the Fairchild 670, sold under the Fairchild name.
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