Signal Processing Compressors

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Chandler Limited: The Germanium Compressor offers an all Class A amplifier and is transformer balanced in and out. The compression circuit uses a FET gain reduction element. The TG1 Abbey Road Special Edition is a recreation of the classic EMI TG12413 Limiter used in custom EMI and Abbey Road recording and mastering consoles from the late 60's. Website: Chandler Limited

Crane Song:

TRAKKER is a high quality Single Channel Discrete Class A Compressor Limiter. It functions either as a musically transparent compressor or as a vintage compressor - limiter with selectable hard or soft knee. The STC-8 is a high quality stereo compressor combined with a remarkably dependable peak limiter, providing overload protection critical to digital recording and broadcast transmitters.

Website: Crane Song

Drawmer: The new S2 Signature Series Dual Channel Tube Compressor offers an ‘all tube - no technical compromise’ circuit using only the highest grade components. The S2 features a host of new creative processing possibilities never before found in an all analogue dynamics package.Website: Drawmer

Empirical Labs: The Distressor is an automatic gain (or volume) control device designed for pro audio applications. The Distressor is a digitally controlled audio device and incorporates several products into one by utilizing digital controls to switch totally different circuits in and out. The EL7 FATSO is a modern digitally controlled analog device that offers many of the "musical non-linearities" exhibited by the older tube, class A discrete, and magnetic tape mediums. This two channel audio processor will musically integrate frequencies and transients and increase the apparant volume without actual increase in peak levels.Website: Empirical Labs

Millenia: The TCL-2 is a two channel Class A vacuum tube opto-compressor/limiter "and" a two channel Class A solid state opto-compressor/limiter.Website: Millenia

SSL (Solid State Logic): The XLogic G Series Compressor unit is a 1U rack mounting stereo compressor. It utilises the classic SSL G Series center compressor design. The XLogic Multichannel Compressor unit is a 2U rack-mounting six-channel compressor. It utilises classic SSL centre compressor design elements within a SuperAnalogue design topology. Website: SSL (Solid State Logic)

Tube-Tech: Tube-Tech offers a full line of mono and dual channel compressors. Their widely used CL 1B Compressor is an optical, all tube based compressor targeted at single-track studio recordings: It is equally suited for delicate vocal recordings as well as critical instrument recordings such as lead guitar, drum solos etc. Website: Tube-Tech

Summit Audio: The DCL-200 is a dual channel compressor/limiter with stereo linking capabilities. Based on a hybrid design, the DCL-200 combines the most desirable sonic characteristics of vacuum tubes with the increased reliability of solid state devices. The TLA-100A Tube Leveling Amplifier is a classic design with a technological hybrid of vacuum tube and solid state devices. The TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier is a single channel tube leveling amp offering XLR +4dB and -10dB inputs and outputs.Website: Summit Audio

SPL (Sound Performance Lab): The Kultube is a

stereo compressor with discrete gain cells (instead of VCAs). It offers

"Progressive Time Control", a user optimization of attack and release times that work in conjunction with the unit's signal responsive circuitry to provide the best attributes of manual and auto compressors at the same time. Another feature is adjustable tube saturation with automatic output level adjustment.

Website: SPL (Sound Performance Lab)

Portico (Rupert Neve Designs): The Portico 5043 embodies two independent Compressor-Limiters (Channels A and B) housed within a half rack, 1U module. They can be used independently or connected in sequence to provide two separate control slopes. Website: Rupert Neve Designs

Langevin : Langevin ELOP® Limiter's principle of operation is based around using a rectified sample of the audio to shine an LED (Light Emitting Diode) onto an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor). The photo-resistor in combination with a fixed resistor simply act as a changing voltage divider to attenuate the signal-- like a smart volume control.Website: Langevin

DBX: DBX offers a multitude of dynamics processors. Since its introduction in the mid 1970's, the dbx 160 series has been the world's most popular line of audio compressors. After the classic 160 (which is still used daily in many world class studios), came the 165, the 160X and the 160XT. The 160X/XT were the models that truly became the industry standard.Website: DBX

Universal Audio: Universal Audio's full line of compressors is anchored by the 1176LN designed by Bill Putnam. It was a major breakthrough in limiter technology – the first true peak limiter with all transistor circuitry offering superior performance and a signature sound. The other anchor in their compressor line-up is the Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier. A unique electro-optical attenuator system allows instantaneous gain reduction with no increase in harmonic distortion.Website: Universal Audio

Groove Tubes: The Groove Tubes Glory Comp is a true all-tube compressor, employing seven high-quality and selected vacuum tubes to accomplish its dynamics processing. Its output tubes – a pair of 6005s – offer tremendous output power driving a custom wound and robust output transformer.Website: Groove Tubes

Focusrite: The Compounder is derived from the legendary Red 3 Dual Compressor/Limiter. This custom VCA design results in superb sound and very low distortion. The bass expander circuit generates extra bass harmonics, fattening up low frequency signals. The Red 3 dual compressor/limiter is fully discrete and balanced, offering superb low noise and distortion, and excellent common-mode rejection.Website: Focusrite

Daking: The Fet Compressor II uses a

ll discrete transistor circuitry with t

ransformer balanced inputs and outputs.

Class "A" amplifiers are employed.

Website: Daking

EAR (Esoteric Audio Research): The EAR 660 limiter is somewhat based on the legendary Fairchild 660. The characteristics of the 'compression knee' around the attack and release parameters contribute to the unit's performance. Website: EAR (Esoteric Audio Research)

Avalon Design: The AD2044 features a 100% discrete, pure class A signal amplifier configured with high speed current monitored optical control elements. These "invisible" opto elements enable the AD2044 to deliver totally transparent, low noise gain reduction within the minimalist signal path design. No VCAs are incorporated.Website: Avalon Design

Peavey: The CEL-2a Compressor/Expander/Limiter is designed for use in all live performance and recording applications, and can be incorporated as either two independent compressors or one synched stereo compressor with true RMS summing. Voltage-controlled amplifier and RMS-integrated circuits maintain low distortion and excellent noise performance. Website: Peavey

TC Electronics: TC Electronics offers many different types of dynamics processors. The C300 is an easy to use dual engine dynamics processor that gives you superior compression/limiting and gate/expansion feasibilities. The C400XL uses advanced TC Electronic multiband dynamics technology to compress any source - from vocals and percussion to guitars and even keyboards. If you want the sound of a full band/one band compressor you can do that too; even de-essing and de-hiss is an option.Website: TC Electronics

Waves: The Waves MaxxBCL is a mastering and post production dynamics processor that employs three separate functions. The first is a full arrangement of compressor controls. Next are the MaxxBass controls. The final stage is the limiter section.Website: Waves

Toft Audio: The DC-2 offers two channels of classic F.E.T compressor with variable attack, release and ratio. V.U. metering shows gain reduction or output level.
Website: Toft Audio

TL Audio: The C-1 two channel tube compressor uses General Electric US military specification valves, high retention gold plated ceramic valve bases and circular back-lit VU meters. The 5021 two channel tube compressor employs two valve stages per channel, in the form of a Sovtek ECC83/12AX7A twin triode valve run from a stabilised 150V DC supply. One stage is in the preamp, and the other is in the gain control element of the compressor. Website: TL Audio

Presonus: The COMP16 is an easy to use professional quality compressor. Sixteen presets have been tailored for a wide range of applications including vocals, percussion, fretted instruments, keyboards, stereo program material and compression effects. Simply select the preset and adjust the input and output to desired level of compression. A compressor that anyone can use!Website: Presonus

Chameleon Labs: The Model 7720 Stereo Compressor is based on a trusted design and is electronically balanced, utilizing "THAT Corporation" (formerly DBX) VCA circuitry. It features a low component count in order to provide the cleanest signal path possible. Website: Chameleon Labs

Aphex: The 661 Expressor™ with Tubessence™ is a Compressor, Limiter, Expander, and Dynamics Controller with a warm, vintage tube sound that operates fully automatically or manually to give you superb control for those difficult tracks. The 320 A COMPELLOR is the ultimate gain control. Combines compressor, leveler, and limiter controlled by 3 proprietary "brains".Website: Aphex

Alesis: The 3630 Compressor™ provides two independent full-featured compressor/ limiters in one rack space while offering excellent sonic quality for any application from studio recording to live sound or broadcast. The 3630 offers Ratio, Threshold, Attack and Decay controls to customize its compression response for even the toughest signals. Website: Alesis

ART (Applied Research Technology):

The TCS is a two-channel high performance compression system which features two types of compression per channel utilizing ART’s Dual Topology technology. The Pro VLA™ is a powerful two-channel tube compressor / limiter is a multi-purpose tool for live audio engineering and studio recording.

The Pro-VLA II is a tube driven Vactrol®-based Compressor / Leveling amplifier designed to excel in any professional audio application, including tracking, mixing, mastering, live sound or broadcast situations.

Website: ART (Applied Research Technology)

Joe Meek:

The Mc2 is a professional studio-quality stereo compressor in a compact half-rack format. Simple to use yet it will bring out the best in any line-level stereo material and give the gloss of a professional studio to all your performances. It can be used for both recording/mastering, and live work.

Website: Joe Meek

Samson: The C-com opti has adjustable threshold, ratio, attack, release and output controls that are calibrated to generate a distinctive soft, rich character while providing magnificent control over dynamics. An enhancer provides the added character lost under heavy compression and a large analog VU meter easily monitors output level or gain reduction. The C-com 16 is a full-featured Stereo Compressor/Limiter with 16 settings. There are fifteen presets and a manual mode for more critical adjustments when required. Website: Samson

ADK:

ADK Custom Shop CLA-2 Compressor

offers a discrete platform for Dynamic Control and Gain-Staging. Open-Ended Architecture offers fundamental control of Tonal-Coloration and Tonal-Textures. User-Defined Operational Amplifier (Op-Amp) lets End-User choose Vintage or Modern Tone. End-User can Choose from Class A/B and Class A Discrete Op-Amps - both Vintage and Modern!!

Website: ADK

Mackie: Mackie offers the Quad Comp/Gate, with 4 channels of 24-bit digital compression/limiting and gate/expansion. It features individual gain reduction and output metering on each channel.Website: Mackie

Roll Music: The RMS755 Super Stereo compressor from Roll Music Systems is specifically suited for tailoring a mix. It provides wide and precise control over attack and release time, including a unique dual release mode that allows slower release on long, loud passages while retaining control over fast transient recovery.Website: Roll Music

BBE: The BBE® MaxCom™ is a highly sophisticated Dual-Channel Compressor and Limiter with Gate, housed in a compact and easy-to-use package. It provides a live or recorded mix with a clean, clear punch. The MaxCom is the first signal processor of its kind to feature an on-board BBE Sonic Maximizer. Website: BBE

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