When GC Audio introduced their modular Inherit system, it was available with a selection of the company’s own mic preamp modules, with more processors promised to join the range in the future. Now, the family has grown to include more of GC’s own designs, as well as Signature Series cartridges that make designs from other manufacturers available in the convenient hot-swappable format.
The latest addition comes in the form of the Emperor Signature Cartridge, a new module that includes a recreation of Looptrotter’s Emperor limiter circuitry. Created in a collaboration between the two manufacturers, the new arrival is based on the same circuitry as the original Emperor, and brings yet another ‘flavour’ to the already versatile Inherit range.
First up is a mic/line preamp that delivers up to +70dB of gain and a DI input designed to accept instrument signals. A -20dB pad follows, and is joined by a polarity-inversion switch and a high-pass filter than can be placed at 80 or 120 Hz — dedicated controls for all of these functions are provided on the front panel of the cartridge. Looptrotter’s praised limiter design follows, with a front-panel toggle switch offering slow, medium and fast response times that the company’s say help to shape the character, energy and presence of a wide range of instrument and vocal signals.
“I really appreciate the Inherit system and the ability to quickly swap modules. This flexibility is crucial for a fast-paced workflow and testing creative ideas on the fly during recording and mixing sessions. For my first unit, I chose the Emperor — a dynamics processor designed to shape the unique sonic character of instruments and vocals. The original circuit was developed many years ago, and thanks to Guillaume, I listened to the device with fresh ears and introduced a series of refinements. The unit now sounds more refined and highly musical.” - Andrzej Starzyk, Owner & Designer, Looptrotter
Pricing & Availability
The Looptrotter Emperor Signature Cartridge will be available soon, priced at €849.
