Headway EDB-2 VAP

Customer led expanded features, now dual instrument/ player friendly, blended 2 stage Valve “Rich Harmonics” and analogue “High Harmonics”,  

Now allows blending across two channels from Stereo Jack In combined with Phantom Powering option.  Also 3 Phantom voltages, extra D.I Outputs and Pre/Post EQ

EDB-2 VAP expands the appeal of the line from purely acoustic strings applications into the worlds of archtop guitars, jazz, blues, electric guitar and broad orchestral & folk instrument applications

H.E.A.T. ~ Harmonic Enhanced Analogue Technology with tuneable added “Rich & High Harmonics”

Improved Class “A” Inputs & lower noise Pro Audio Circuits voiced for clarity and warmth, producing a huge 32dB of Gain

Twin Channels with 2 sets of 5 Band Interactive EQ & 2 quiet Mute switches 

Phantom Power to jack & XLRs: 48v, 11v & 5v

Mono, Stereo and Balanced Inputs, with two XLR INs, enabling Stereo true Condenser Microphones to be powered via 2 Channels

3 way input impedance switches on each channel

Send / Return and Insert Point provide FX Loops for optimal connection of effects or tuner, separately via both channels

“Range” rotary controls on each Channel provide a variable High Pass Filter,  rolling off low frequencies to optimise low end response

Tuneable Notch Filter on either channel to defeat feedback and resonances on either channel

Phase Reverse and Earth Lift switches to correct phase imbalance, feedback and ground hum

Highly versatile mono, stereo or blended outputs via Line Out jack and two Balanced D.I. XLR’s

USB Charger Socket for digital devices

BBC Pro Audio design panel layout for contrast and easy reading

DC Power Supply included (as standard) 100v-240v.  Low noise design

Pre-amplifier mounting option via bracket 

Aluminium Enclosure / Supplied as standard with leather (PU) chest bag

Long life, heavy feel controls that stay in position

Comprehensive printed manual

Designed in UK ~ Made in Poland (EU)

EDB-2 VAP Aims: To achieve an optimum standard of effective, pleasing and trouble free acoustic amplification 

EDB-2 VAP  PRINCIPLES

EDB-2 VAP is a Valve Pre-amplifier or Analogue Audio Signal Processor with multiple features, offering huge reserves of gain and headroom to interface with a wide range of other devices, while offering problem solving and sound quality enhancement, at low noise

EDB -2 VAP shapes and equalises uneven tones, warms up sound, beats piezo “quack” & feedback, offers audible string separation, enables two sound sources to sit together and sound better, setting input impedances, applying Phase Reverse, or cancelling hum loops

Devices to interface with include mixers, effects pedals and rack units, powered monitor speakers, headphone amps, combo amplifiers and power amplifiers

EDB-2 VAP  offers two uniquely developed analogue H.E.A.T  “Harmonic Enhancer” features

High Harmonics are perceived as an “audio sparkle”, which add “Even Harmonics” 1-1.5 octaves above 1 kHz.  This may replace the frequencies not fully amplified by your pickup or microphone, or where strings are corroded and sounding dull

“Rich Harmonics” adds “Even Harmonics” from the Blend control with 2 stage Valve perceived as warmth, mainly to mid and low frequencies, with some additional high harmonics. The Valve provides a slower electrical response which smooths off transient peaks taking off the Piezo “quack” for a pleasant and natural sound

Re-start instantly and quietly using Standby and the Mute

EDB-2 VAP is small enough for convenient transportation and is supplied as standard with Headway leather (PU) chest bag

These are early reactions to Headway EDB-2 VAP.  

I have been using my EDB VAP for two weeks now, playing both large and small venues, and I am honestly thrilled. It sounds amazing, the EQ and the tube/valve harmonize great and the routing possibilities are just perfect for my needs. I could not be happier. 

Both my pickups (Schertler Stat B, Yamahiko) never sounded better and being able to send my slightly equalized mic to FOH via an extra 

channel is just perfect – I provide my sound the way I want to hear it, plug in and with the blink of an eye my soundcheck is done and I get a world class sound for both monitors and FOH. It cannot really get better.  

Philipp Moosbrugger

With the VAP, I was able to get a very natural sound at a good volume quickly and easily in performance.  I was impressed by how the HPF (range rotary control) Valve and Heat controls function interactively, allowing for subtle, flexible tone shaping beyond the basic 5 band eq.  It was possible to soften the edge of the amplified arco (bowed) tone with the valve but then mix in the high harmonics to cut through the band and maintain definition.  The sweepable HPF was extremely useful for subtly dialing out boomy tones during a pizzicato bass solo when the rest of the band had dropped out.

–Aaron Lumley, double bassist

“It was Magic” Tony Kelsey of Robert Plant’s “Saving Grace”

 I am just blown away with performance of the Headway…Still getting to grips with it and just love the warmth and tone quality…It is exciting.I got a few big Scottish gigs with Skipinnish and will be using it by then. Cant wait.  Archie McAllister – Fiddle Player of Skippinish, Scotland

“I tried it on a bass with just a bridge wing pickup and it sounded great – it was very quick and easy to get a good sound out of”

Jam3s Banks on EDB-2 VAP  October ’23 – Talk Bass

So good it seems like magic

Posted by Rick Wolff on Sep 17th 2023 in Talk Bass

I recently got the new EDB-2 VAP. I already knew of ‘most’ of the features since they are similar to my EDB-2 HE (the previous version). What’s new is the Valve (or Tube as we call it). This is supposed to get rid of ‘Piezo Quack’ and really warm up the tone of your piezo pickup. I did a simple A/B test into my 2 channel Genzler Acoustic Pro with Both Channels set the same (just a little cut of the low-mids which I usually do). The Pre-amp was set TOTALLY FLAT. The proof is in the pudding and honestly, I was shocked at the dramatic difference in tone quality. Judge for yourself, here is a little clip: https://youtu.be/RC1YWRmIePs

I’m completely blown away by this thing. This EDB-2 VAP is by far the best acoustic instrument preamp I’ve ever used, and I’ve tried them all. I recorded a quick audio direct into Logic that I shared to Facebook. I didn’t spend any time tweaking the settings. Attached is the audio.  This preamp is definitely going to be a hit!!

Scott Fore 

Bluegrass Guitar Champion USA

I’ve been using the VAP for recording last week, guitar and bass. I recorded the bass di and I think it’s the best sound I’ve got yet. I’ll be putting it on my board next for the violin, for the next gigs. Simon Swarbrick of Merry Hell ( the Band bought 4 x EDB-2 VAP )

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Rik Wolff in Recording studio:

Took the EDB-2 VAP into the studio today.

I spent a couple of hours in the studio today recording a demo with a piano player friend of mine and a drummer.

We had three microphones and a DB-1 piezo on the bass. I ran the piezo and my Xlson mic through the new preamp. Both sounded great (much better than I would have expected for a piezo – that VAP Pre-amp really has some magic dust).

The engineers at the studio were impressed with the quality of the piezo sound as well (and also with the Xlson).

They also used a Neumann U47 about a foot away from the g side f hole and a beyer up by the fingerboard.

The mix I heard blended all four and it sounded great. I asked the engineer to send me files of all four bass tracks so I can compare them. I will post them if I do, in fact, get them.

When I was leaving the studio they said “You can leave that preamp with us”. Well, I didn’t. They’ll just have to buy one.

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I have the demo version of the VAP right now, and wow, it sounds really really good! In comparison to my Headway HE with the VAP I get a smoother midrange (read less piezo honk) but a more thumpy presentation across the fingerboard, with almost the same settings as the HE. The low end seems cleaner somehow. I really like the fully variable hpf, much better than the switches. The layout of the controls is less cramped and more logical than the HE, which is really crowded and tough to figure out on a gig, imo.

Overall it is killer. I am thinking of flipping my HE, it seems like a worthwhile upgrade for me.

BDowd – Talkbass

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…thank you for sending me the EDB-2 VAP pre-amp, what a piece of kit that is, it just sounds great.  I will certainly recommend your products and service.

Richard Fewings (UK)

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So far I’m having extremely positive experiences working with the VAP in live situations. I’m always using backlines at venues so the power amp and speaker combination change constantly. This preamp seems to really be able to handle any amp/speaker/room combination that I’ve hit so far and it always sounds musical and realistic, even at high volume.

ABlumley – Talkbass

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Wendy Phua

Bass Nerd Alert – FB

In my eternal quest for that ultimate upright bass tone, a bad case of G.A.S. (IYKYK) arose when I saw this little wonder EDB2-VAP released by Headway Music Audio as an update of the original multi-purpose preamp EDB 1.

Dual channels to blend mic and pickup signals, 12AX7 valve blend features, HPF controls on both channels, high harmonic enhancer for added zing (great for old lifeless strings), battery backup, notch filter and tons more controls and configuration options.

Sound is very natural and warm without added coloration, even on my Eminence electric upright, maybe more so than the more popular but cheaper Fishman Platinum. Only wish it came with a built-in compressor and tuner too, but not a letdown at all.

My acoustic upright is in repair now in CHCH, but I can’t wait to try the newly installed @fishmanmusic Full Circle pickup and @bartlettaudio bass mic blended signals on the EDB2-VAP

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I’ve been absolutely delighted with the EDB2-VAP! It gives me a beautiful, warm, sound – which, moreover, is highly controllable. I use two very different bouzoukis – but he Headway pickup allows for them to be brought into perfect parity – and also gives me the option to bring out any subtle differences if/when required. The whole band ( Merry Hell:  4 x EDB-2 VAP ) has benefited from using that gear – so here’s a big THANKS from Merry Hell!  Bob Kettle