Dangerous Music COMPRESSOR Dual-Channel VCA Compressor with Smart Dynamics

Abig selling point for the COMPRESSOR is its versatility: the BOX can handle anything from hip hop to acoustic folk with ease. Such versatility is achieved through separate detection circuits for the right and left channels (maintaining impeccable stereo separation), switchable dual-slope detection circuits (for handling peaks and average levels differently), and comprehensive sidechain filtering (to keep low end from triggering compression, or to help tame sibilant material). Add audiophile-grade components throughout as well as stepped controls for perfect recall, and you ™ll have a compressor up for transparently handling the most demanding tasks ”all without the intermodulation distortion so typical from similar methods employed in the digital realm.

Dual Detectors for Each Channel

When linked in stereo, most compressors take the left and right signals, combine them to mono, and send the combined signal to a detector circuit. This causes the loudest elements in the center to dominate information in the sides. Even worse, any out of phase information will either be ignored or exaggerated.

The COMPRESSOR utilizes two totally independent RMS detectors on each channel, with a nuanced and sophisticated circuit governing how they work together in stereo. This allows the unit to deliver crystal-clear and rock-solid stereo imaging when processing a full mix, a drum buss, a finished master, or any stereo material.

What s more, you can use each channel as an independent mono compressor, or you can cascade the two channels into each other for ultra-transparent compression with peak limiting. Try this for riding a vocal, a spiky lead instrument, or any other track where powerful yet transparent control is demanded.

Separate Peak and Average Control

The COMPRESSOR has a dual-slope detector that you can engage with the SmartDyn button. With SmartDyn engaged, the COMPRESSOR can control fast transient peaks without causing average volume levels to drop. This lets you maintain higher average volume levels while avoiding the pumping artifacts commonly incurred when pushing toward the expectations of modern loudness.

Smart Dynamics is equally helpful when tracking a dynamic singer or mixing a snappy drum kit, and most users end up leaving the SmartDyn button engaged at all times.

Automatic Attack and Release When Needed

The COMPRESSOR includes an automatic attack/release setting that works intelligently, so you can just focus on the threshold and make-up gain knobs. If you need more precise settings for attack and release, simply press the Manual Att/Rel button and start tweaking.

Comprehensive Sidechaining Possibilities

The COMPRESSOR includes two bypassable, audiophile-grade sidechain EQs. These feed the detector circuit, changing the behavior of the compression.

Bass Cut turns down low end below 60 Hz, so the COMPRESSOR won t overreact to low-frequency content, or create pumping.

The Sibilance Boost utilizes the BAX EQ s ultra-linear high-end shelf to push more treble content into the detector, which causes The COMPRESSOR to dynamically attenuate sibilance and other unwanted spikes of high-end, such as harsh cymbals, blaring loops, or erratic acoustic guitar strums.

VU and LED Metering

The dual VU meters can show you gain reduction, input levels, or output levels. There is a -6 dB offset button, so that loud material is always hovering in a usable range, perfect for visually monitoring average levels.

What VUs cannot show you are the lightning-fast transients. That s where the LED metering comes in. Together, the VU and LED meters provide critical insights into the intricate inner workings of the COMPRESSOR in action.

Audiophile-Grade Components

Chris Muth designed the COMPRESSOR, and his name is synonymous with fastidious design used throughout the world of high-end mastering studios. He ensured that only high-quality components were used, even in areas of the circuit that don t pass audio. Detector and control voltage circuits (which lie at the heart of any compressor but are not in the audio path) are often built from substandard components in order to cut costs. However, these detector components dictate how well any compressor behaves, and if you seek nuance and intelligence you ll adore the COMPRESSOR.