Standard Audio: Level-Or
reviewed by Eli Crews
This 500-series device is a line-level JFET limiter, modeled after the Shure Level-Loc PA limiter, which I will tell you all up front that I have never used. I tried to borrow one to test against the...
Gear Reviews
Dynamics
Foote Control Systems: P3S Stereo Compressor
reviewed by Allen Farmelo
And I thought my API 2500 stereo compressor was complex and versatile! Welcome to the Foote Control Systems P3S Stereo Compressor, a self-proclaimed “Swiss Army Knife” that actually lives...
Vintagedesign: CL1mk2 2-channel compressor-limiter
reviewed by Pete Weiss
Over the years, there have been a variety of tried-and-true compressor/limiter circuit types. For example, VCA was used in the classic dbx 160, FET in the UREI 1176, electro-optical in the Teletronix...
Vertigo Sound: VSC-2 Quad Discrete Compressor
reviewed by Matt Foster
Germany-based Vertigo Sound's first product to market is the VSC-2 Quad Discrete Compressor. The quad part relates to the four VCAs within the VSC-2 and not the number of channels it can process, as...
ART: Pro VLA II
reviewed by Garrett Haines
ART's Pro VLA (Tape Op #37) is one of the best compressors ever made at its price point. You can pick one up new for under $400. It's an electro-optical compressor with a 12AX7 tube gain stage. You...
Chandler Limited: Little Devil Compressor & Equalizer 500-series modules
reviewed by Mike Caffrey
The Little Devils are designer Wade Chandler's new modules for the 500-series rack system. The Compressor has all the controls to which you've become accustomed in a Chandler compressor, and the...
Burgin McDaniel: Komit "Treehouse" Compressor/Limiter
reviewed by Alan Tubbs
This could be the shortest review I've ever done. The Komit Treehouse is simple to use, sounds great, and is sensibly priced. If you must have the gory details, read on. The Komit stirred up a local...
Chameleon Labs: 7720 Stereo Compressor
reviewed by Ralph Stover
At one time, I owned an Alan Smart C2 compressor, but these days, I mix in the box and rely on the Waves SSL compressor plug-in, so I was excited to try out the VCA-based 7720, which relies on THAT...
Massey Plugins: De:Esser
reviewed by Allen Farmelo
There aren't a lot of de-essers out there, probably because they're not very sexy and not at the top of many people's wishlists. But a good de-esser is invaluable, especially now that so many people...
Retro Instruments: Retro 176 Limiting Amplifier
reviewed by Craig Schumacher
One of the hardest parts of writing these reviews is coming up with a good opening sentence. It's easy to get caught up in excess hyperbole when geeking out over pro audio gear, especially when you...
Retro Instruments: Retro 176 Limiting Amplifier
reviewed by Sylvia Massey
One of the hardest parts of writing these reviews is coming up with a good opening sentence. It's easy to get caught up in excess hyperbole when geeking out over pro audio gear, especially when you...
Massey Plugins: CT4 Compressor
reviewed by Garrett Haines
Massey CT4 is a straightforward compressor plug-in that comes in RTAS and TDM formats. With an uncluttered interface, CT4 has only four controls-compression, makeup, attack, and release-making it easy...