Heritage Audio LANG Electronics P.LANE Type 436 – All-Tube Vari-Mu Compressor

OVERVIEW

One of the Most Unique Compressors of All Time

HERITAGE AUDIO and LANG ELECTRONICS Inc. are proud to present the P.LANE Type 436, All-Tube Vari-Mu Compressor, a new take on the illustrious modified version of the ALTEC 436C, that graced the fresh and furious British Invasion sound that conquered the world in the 60s.

This classic design has continued to gain popularity to this day due to its velvety, flattering character and its sublime ability to control dynamic transients without killing the high-end.

Used on a daily basis at the hottest studio in London for tracking bass and guitars, the defining sound of the Type 436 Vari-mu compressor was extensively used when tracking guitar, piano, sitar, mellotron, strings, brass and woodwind by a particularly talented band from Liverpool and has set a gold standard for modern instrument recording up until today.

Thoroughly Recreating the Sound That Defined an Era and Set the Path for Modern Professional Studio Recording

The legend of the modified ALTEC 436C is not just a myth from the 1960s, as its simple yet flexible functionalities have proven to be the secret sauce for many experienced contemporary producers and in almost any musical genre you can imagine (from pop to rock, alternative music, metal, hip hop, and even electronic music) due to its unique character when tracking any instrument.

And no effort was spared in the designing process as the P.LANE Type 436 covers all development stages of the original, from the rather simple but incredibly effective model 436C, to the more evolved ”London Mod” with 6 selectable constants and “HOLD” positions for each constant, that will keep the source signal compressed to the most recently processed peak level. We’ve also taken it one step further and included the SuperFast setting, not found in the vintage 436C, that takes the unique character of the P.LANE Type 436 to a whole new level, adapting it to the modern needs of studio recording.

P.LANE Is in Your Ears, in Your Eyes…

…and in your wallet! as HERITAGE AUDIO and LANG ELECTRONICS Inc. have just done it again by releasing one of the most mysterious varimu compressors of all time in a convenient two-rack-unit form and at a price that would have even been hard to believe in the 1960s so every studio owner or self-recording artist can justify getting at least one.

The P.LANE is one of the units that fall under the “SOUND THAT DEFINED AN ERA” line that seeks to revive historical units that fit into today’s studios and were either unavailable or too overpriced.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

A True Vintage Icon Reimagined:

The P.LANE Type 436 pays homage to the modified ALTEC 436C, a revered tube compressor used during the British Invasion of the 1960s. Known for its warm, flattering sound, this unit helped shape legendary recordings by giving tracks punch and presence without killing the high-end. Heritage Audio has faithfully recreated its magic – and more.

All-Tube Design with Custom Transformers:

To stay true to its roots, the P.LANE Type 436 features a 100% all-tube signal path with three premium tubes, including NOS components. Paired with custom-wound input and output transformers from LANG ELECTRONICS Inc., the result is a lush, harmonically rich tone that’s impossible to fake digitally.

Flexible Control for Modern Studios:

With six selectable attack and recovery time constants – plus a unique “Hold” mode and a brand-new “SuperFast” setting – the P.LANE adapts to any source. Whether you’re compressing bass, vocals, piano, or sitar, this unit handles transients with finesse and character.

Timeless Sound Meets Today’s Workflow:

Whether you’re producing rock, pop, hip-hop, or electronic music, the P.LANE 436 delivers that “magic glue” on individual instruments or mix buses. Its vintage soul meets modern usability, making it a standout tool in any studio.

A Piece of History – Without the Vintage Price Tag:

Once unobtainable or prohibitively expensive, this classic Vari-Mu compressor now fits both your rack and your budget. With modern reliability, global voltage compatibility, and award-winning design, the P.LANE Type 436 is a must-have for producers seeking timeless tube tone.

FEATURES

• Convenient 2 rack unit at a price that would have even been hard to believe in the 1960s.
• 3 tubes (1 x NOS 6H5P, 1 x JJ E88CC, 1 x NOS 6AL5) matching the original design, and LANG ELECTRONICS Inc. input and output transformers custom designed by HERITAGE AUDIO.
• Attack: selectable, stepped (6 settings).
• Recovery: selectable, stepped (6 settings, plus Hold).
• SuperFast recovery setting not found in the vintage 436C units.
• 2U steel rack-mount chassis.
• XLR and TRS input and output, transformer-balanced (custom-wound).
• Worldwide internal power supply.
• HERITAGE AUDIO’s take on one of the most mysterious compressors of all time, the celebrated modified version of the ALTEC 436C, that graced the fresh and furious British Invasion sound that conquered the world in the 60s.
• A vintage design that has proven to be a staple in almost every modern genre, from pop to rock, alternative music, metal, hip hop, and even electronic music.
• It works like magic to track any instrument.

TECHNICAL SPECS

Form Factor: 2U rack-mountable steel chassis

Tubes:

• 1 x NOS 6H5P
• 1 x JJ E88CC
• 1 x NOS 6AL5

Transformers: Custom input and output transformers by LANG ELECTRONICS Inc.

Controls:

• Attack: 6 selectable stepped settings
• Recovery: 6 selectable stepped settings + HOLD
• SuperFast recovery option (not available in vintage units)

Inputs/Outputs: XLR and TRS I/O, transformer-balanced

Power: Worldwide internal power supply

Compatibility: Suitable for use in any professional studio environment