Compressors Limiters & Gates

Notes: The Pro VLA II is a tube driven Vactrol-based compressor/leveling amplifier designed to excel in any professional audio environment. Superior performance and an incredible tone makes the Pro VLA II and indispensable tool for tracking, mixing, mastering, dynamic control of live sound sources or for use in broadcast audio.

Capable of delivering a far more musical natural sounding and sonically transparent compression than competitive units in its class, the Pro VLA II uses an Opto-electronic circuit rather than the more typical design VCA driven level detection circuit. This VCA-less design coupled with a 12AT7 vacuum tube in the gain stage makes the Pro-VLA II the ideal dynamic control device for critical audio applications.

Exceptional signal integrity with extremely low noise and low distortion is achieved in the Pro VLA II by utilizing a transformerless design throughout.

Unlike typical compression units that use Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (VCA's) to handle level detection, the Pro VLA II's Opto-electronic design allows a far more transparent and musical sounding compression without sounding aggressive or un-natural. This Vactrol based optical electronic circuitry is the basic component of the classic highly sought after compressors of past.

The Vactrol design allows the Pro VLA II to react to audio signal in much the same way the eye naturally adjusts to fluctuations in light levels, smoothly, quietly and almost imperceptibly.

The Pro VLA II is a soft knee leveling amplifier by design. Although capable of providing dramatic compression effects, the Pro VLA II was designed to excel in any application where transparent, expressively musical dynamics control is desired.

Large highly visible backlit analog VU meters accurately display input and output levels while extremely fast 10-segment LED's display gain reduction. For added functionality, the LED's display either average level for mastering & mixing applications or peak hold for monitoring individual sources when tracking audio.

XLR and 1/4" TRS balanced inputs and outputs are provided to ensure the Pro VLA II can connect with any audio source or hardware. A +4 dBu/-10 dBu mode switch optimizes the Pro VLA II I/O for either consumer or professional equipment.

Notes: The SC2 is a highly sophisticated and flexible dynamics processor designed for easy operation and great tone. The unit can be adjusted to provide anything from smooth subtle compression to hard limiting. Noise reduction is provided by a fast solid gate or a subtle expander.

The Attack and Release functions allow the user to set the general operating range and then automatically adapt to the audio being processed. A full auto mode is also available. The ultra-precise LED meters while two LED meters clearly display the gain reduction for each channel.

Notes: Adding a dbx 266xs Compressor/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments.

The 266xs is the latest in a long line of the world's most successful compressors from the inventors of the technology. Its patented Over-easy compression technology provides smooth and musical performance while the Auto-Dynamic attack and release controls, found only on dbx compressors, puts great sound within easy reach. The compressor can operate in either stereo or dual mono modes, has true RMS power summing and features quality XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs. Gain reduction metering and easy to read backlit switches are also included, to provide you with all the visual feedback you need to see what the compressor is doing.

Notes: In 1973, Eventide Clockworks introduced the Omnipressor, the first studio product to encourage the use of dynamics for special effects. It joined the Instant Phaserr in studios worldwide, with the Instant Flanger following shortly after. All were used on countless recordings and are now considered truly classic products. Unlike the Phaser and Flanger, the Omnipressor, with its still-unique dynamic reversal, infinite compression, variable gating and separate "side chain," was discontinued a few years later. It had become difficult to obtain some exclusive parts and even more difficult to explain it to an industry that was much less sophisticated than it is today.

Omnipressor was the first dynamics effects processor of any kind, suddenly making possible a new, wide range of dynamics effects unlike anything that had come before it. Originally invented by Eventide's founder, Richard Factor (and later redesigned for production by Jon Paul), the Omnipressor made a host of dynamic effects possible. It featured variable control of all aspects of dynamic modification. It also introduced the notion of the 'side chain' and foretold techniques that today we take for granted like 'look ahead' processing. One of Eventide's first customers was Brian May, the lead guitarist of Queen.

Eventide now announces the golden-anniversary Omnipressor Model 2830*Au. The original handdrawn schematics were in the Eventide archives, and the new model is a faithful replica designed with the same circuitry and the same sound as the original 2830.

The new *Au model features the ability to link multiple units and is fitted with input and output audio transformers, which were a costly option on the original. Other improvements include a universal power supply and a back-lit meter, as well as more convenient TRS/XLR connectors replace the original terminal strip.

Specifications

Analogue Audio I/O

XLR and 1/4" Line In
XLR and 1/4" Line Out
XLR and 1/4" Side Chain In
XLR and 1/4" Side Chain Out
1/4" Link In
1/4" Link Out

Physical

Size

Inches: 3.5h x 19w x 8.9d
Metric: 8.9h x 48.3w x 31.7d
Weight
14 pounds (6.4kg) net

What's in the box:

Omnipressor
US-type IEC power cord
Omnipressor poster
Omnipressor manual
Eventide sticker
Eventide guitar pick

Notes: A solid gold modern classic from FMR. The RNC must be one of the biggest studio bargains around. Proper analogue compression with digital control, offering pro sound at an affordable price.

Supplier's Notes:
What It Is

FMR Audio's first product, introduced over 18 years ago, the Really Nice Compressor (RNC) is a compact and cost-effective stereo compressor with a high-fidelity audio path and compression scheme. The RNC provides quality compression at a budget price.

How It Sounds

The RNC provides two modes of operation. One allows the RNC to be used for special effects, like snappy snares or popping basses. The other provides near-invisible signal compression for sensitive material where compression artifacts are less desirable (like natural vocals, acoustic guitar or the program bus). The RNC yields clean, airy compression with few artifacts and little high-end loss, even at massive gain reduction! The amazing performance is why- even after almost 20 years- many professionals are calling the RNC one of the best sounding compressors for under $2000.

How It's Done

The RNC achieves such high performance at a low cost by using using a microprocessor to replace discrete sidechain components (resistors, diodes, capacitors, opamps, transistors, etc) with chunks of software, thereby reducing the component cost. This approach, however, still processes the main audio in the analog domain, avoiding the problems associated with digital audio conversion (e.g., latency, digital artifacts). Even the problem of "scratchy" pots and switches are avoided: no audio flows through the front-panel controls. The front-panel pots and swtiches merely feed DC voltages to the microprocessor and it takes care of adjusting parameters and signal path with components - like sealed-relays and VCAs - located close to the input/output jacks avoiding noise pickup and audio quality reduction due to aging controls! With this blend of technology, the RNC offers the accuracy and precision of digital control with the clean tonal character of an all-analog signal path. The RNC's digital control permits accurate repeatability of your favorite settings.

Notes: What It Is

Years ago, many RNC users pined for less invisible compression and requested that FMR Audio offer a more "colourful" compressor, suitable for bass guitar, drums and other sources in need of added sonic texture. In response, the FMR designer went to the RNC archives and resurrected a version of RNC software that had been rejected for release because it wasn't invisible enough! The result: a compressor reminiscent of some classic opto compressors used to just "level" the signal rather than tame every transient. To celebrate the RNLA's sonic "colour", a bright red knob* was chosen as a visual metaphor. Although the most recent version ships with a less ostentatious red-striped knob (not shown), the RNLA's sonic colour remains bolder than ever...

How It Sounds

"Thick" and "gooey" is how some customers have described the RNLA's sound. The RNLA is, admittedly, much "gentler" and not as apt to grab'n'run with the signal. Like an old-timey photocell, the RNLA is a little resistant to responding right away, but requires the signal to be there for a while to get the photocell to act. This action yields a soft musicality to the compressor's action that adds a desirable characteristic to the source signal.

How It's Done

The RNLA and the RNC share much of the same hardware, but run different algorithms to achieve the desired effect. The RNLA exercises the well-known dictum (among dynamic processor designers) that, after the static characteristics of the signal path, the main contributors to a processor's sound are the shapes of the attack & release envelopes. The RNLA's software then transforms the sidechain signal into a drive signal for the VCA that both slows things down a bit and totally reshapes the crisp and quick action of the RNC's "normal" mode. This reshaping (and slow down) are the primary sonic drivers behind the RNLA's "thick and gooey" sound!

Notes: 60 years of history in your studio, today.

Lindell meticulously engineered the LiN2A to faithfully reproduce the tonal quality and ease-of-use of the de-facto dynamics processor of the past 60 years. The Lin2A's simple control scheme belies its versatility. Thanks to its superlative Black Lion T4BLA opto element, it can effortlessly deliver transparent level-smoothening for silky vocals - or add a bit of the bite and weight to bass and kick tracks.

'2A-style compression forgoes the conventional ratio, attack, and release controls of other compressors in favour of a simple 2-knob interface with program-dependent responsiveness. In short: you couldn't make it sound bad if you tried.

The Lindell LiN2A: 60 years of history in your studio, today.

True tube-driven optical compression and limiting
Superb Black Lion T4BLA Opto Element for smooth gain reduction and transparency
Two USA-manufactured Cinemag transformers
Quick, effortless two-knob user interface for instant results
Dynamically responsive Compress mode (3:1) and hard Limiter (8:1) mode
Ultra-fast attack and level-dependent release
Vintage-style VU for monitoring
Balanced input and output

Technical Specifications

Attack: Dictated by T4BLA optocell
Release: Dictated by T4BLA optocell
Ratio: Program-dependent
Voltage: 115VAC, 230VAC rear panel switchable AC Mains Input: IEC320-C14 standard plug.
AC Mains: Input: 100V-240V depending on supplied

Dimensions:
Width 438mm (19")
Height 88mm (2U)
Depth 250mm
Weight: 3.7kg (8.2 lbs)

Notes: Decades of dynamic processing

The LiN 76 has been carefully designed to recreate the timbres of nuances of vintage-era '76-style FET compressors.

The most classic and respected sounds of dynamic processors live on in the LiN 76, as well as the infamous "all-button" mode made famous by British recording engineers throughout the 1970's - a sound that's still popular today.

The Lindell LiN 76: Instant vibe for today's demanding studios.

Instant vintage-vibe dynamics processing
USA-made transformers
4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, and "All-button" compression ratio modes
Vintage-style VU for monitoring
Variable attack and release times, with ultra-fast attack options
Balanced input and output

Technical Specifications

Attack: Continuously variable 20uS to 800uS
Release: Continuously variable 50mS to 1200mS
Ratio: Pushbutton selected 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1 and any combination
Voltage: 12VAC
AC Mains Input: 100V-240V depending on supplied

Dimensions:
Width 438mm (19")
Height 88mm (2U)
Depth 250mm
Weight: 8kg

Some notes on Attack and Release: Compressor control schemes can vary significantly. On the LiN76, Lindell have chosen "left is less, right is more."

Turn the Attack knob to the left for faster attack times and to the right for slower, with a 20uS to 800uS range.

Turn the Release knob to the left for faster release times and to the right for slower, with a 50mS to 1200mS range.

Notes: The S-Com 4 is a compact and versatile single-rack space device that provides four channels of high-quality dynamic processing with an Expander/Gate and Compressor/Limiter on each channel.

The four channels operate independently or in stereo pairs. Its multi-segment LED metering displays input/output level as well as gain reduction. The Expander/Gate section features a continuously variable Threshold control, as well as a switch for fast or slow release times. The Compressor/Limiter section includes variable Threshold, Ratio and Output levels. S-Com 4's Enhancer switch restores high frequencies that are sometimes diminished by heavy compression.

This wide-ranging combination of features makes the S-Com 4 an efficient and versatile audio tool for a wide variety of applications. Its clean and quiet audio characteristics make it ideal where high sonic integrity is imperative.