Hardware/Software Shootout and Review: Thermionic Culture Vulture

The Culture Vulture is a unique piece of boutique hardware dedicated to adding all-valve induced harmonic distortion to sources. It was first introduced by Thermionic Culture in 1998 and has since seen a number of revised and special editions. There are currently four standard issues of the unit: The Solo Vulture, The Culture Vulture, The Culture Vulture Mastering Plus and The Culture Vulture Super 15. We were delighted to get our hands on the green Culture Vulture Limited Edition (2014), and curious to see how Universal Audio’s emulation plug-in compared to the real thing.

The Culture Vulture Limited Edition

Cécile Desnos takes a look inside the hardware and software versions of the Thermionic Culture Vulture at 4MAT Studio in Vienna Austria, with help from Michael Hammerstiel.

This particular unit is based on the 11th Anniversary Edition (Limited Edition Mastering Culture Vulture) and is equipped with special military grade valves, which lower noise and extend the frequency response. The input valves are M8100 pentodes, the distortion tubes are 5725 pentodes and the output valve is a 5963 dual triode. The “Function” switch boasts 10 positions, providing an impressive range of distortion settings, while the +10dB drive knob nicely bridges the gap between the normal and overdrive (+28dB) positions on the drive switch. These make for some exciting and useful extra features.

Also present is a low pass filter set to roll off 12dB/octave above 7kHz, individual channel bypass switches, and an on/off switch. A “Bias” knob changes the positive voltage on the cathode of the distortion valve (5725) varying the current, which is shown on the milliammeter. Pushing the unit into heavy distortion will make the meters twitch.

There are two inputs and two outputs per channel. The front inputs, DI for instruments, are unbalanced, while the rear inputs are “semi-floating” for better matching with DAWs. The outputs are unbalanced, where the Hi output is at line level (+4dBu) and the Lo output is 20dB below that.

The unit looks great and feels sturdy, with its green front plate, ivory knobs and backlit meters. Take a peek through the air slots in the top and sides to catch a glimpse of the valve goodies.

[Spoiler Alert: While the features and sonic capabilities of the unit are plentiful and sometimes mind-boggling, we had to keep the comparison to the plug-in, based on the original The Culture Vulture, in mind.]

The Universal Audio Plugin – Thermionic Culture Vulture

Universal Audio’s Plugin version of the Culture Vulture

The Thermionic Culture Vulture plug-in first became available to the UAD-2 platform in November 2014 with the release of the v7.8 software. This collaboration between Thermionic Culture and Universal Audio promises a plug-in that “perfectly emulates all of the original hardware’s sonic proclivities and diabolical details, including the rich harmonic content of its three distinct all-valve circuit topologies”.

The plugin version emulates the three valve stages of the original, where the input valves are EF86 pentodes, the distortion valves are 6AS6 pentodes and the output valve is a 5963 dual triode. We have the three original distortion types, triode (all even harmonics), pentode (odd harmonics) and, what we will refer to as pentode extreme (“no holds barred”), the “nearly-impossible-to model” second pentode mode. The low pass filter of 12dB/octave can be set to 6kHz or 9kHz, while the drive switch can be off or in +20dB overdrive. A notable variation from the original in the overdrive mode is a +9dB clean gain boost on the input when the setting is off, which enables easy comparison between settings.

Alongside the familiar drive, bias, output and bypass controls, the plug-in provides two new features: a control link switch and a mix control. Otherwise, the plug-in interface stays very true to the original hardware design, including the “backwards” controls and mirrored channels.

The Comparison

It would of course be a better comparison if we had the original Culture Vulture, which the plug-in is based on. However, considering the Limited Edition has the three original distortion settings (TRI/T, PEN/P1, SQ2/P2), the same dual triode output valve, and approximately equivalent distortion valves, it seemed fair enough.

The low pass filter and overdrive settings differ slightly. The filter on this unit is at 7kHz, while the original sits at 6kHz. The overdrive on the limited version is +28dB as opposed to +20dB on the original.

While the differences were taken into account, it was obvious that some “ear-matching” would be required. The unit’s rear “semi-floating” inputs were used in combination with the Hi outputs (+4dBu). Both the unit (hardware insert) and the plug-in were inserted as plug-in inserts in Pro Tools.

Impressions

Shock Value.

The first line of the manual is a nice warning: “Do not take this unit seriously. The Culture Vulture is a ’fun’ effects unit and has been designed for maximum pleasure!” Of course, we were aware that we risked having fun whilst operating the unit, and it turned out to be a pleasure indeed!

The comparison of The Culture Vulture Limited Edition and the UA Thermionic Culture Vulture left us mightily impressed with the plug-in and in love with the unit. The differences are minimal, especially on the more modest settings, where it is hard to tell them apart.

We have to keep in mind that dialing in the exact same settings, on both unit channels, is difficult. We used the milliammeter as a reference point and tried to match the channels as closely as possible. The channel link switch was active on the plug-in, giving equivalent settings on both channels.

The stereo image always seemed wider on the hardware unit. With heavy distortion, the sonic distinctions became more apparent. The plug-in became crunchier while the hardware unit kept its musicality and, one could argue, was asking for more. It was hard to make the unit sound bad, even on extreme settings, whereas the plug-in seemed to have its limits.

Overall, the hardware unit seemed to be a bit beefier, with a fuller low end and softer highs. The harmonics appeared to have more detail and it sounded more musical to our ears. Nonetheless, it remains a close match!

Have a listen to the clips below and see if you hear a difference for yourself:

Cécile Desnos is an audio engineer who lives in Vienna, Austria.

Please note: When you buy products through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission.