Dangerous Music COMPRESSOR

Transparent stereo VCA compressor

The Dangerous Music COMPRESSOR is an analogue stereo compressor designed by Chris Muth to control dynamics without colouring the sound. It achieves modern levels of compression and limiting while preserving impact, clarity and stereo image. A versatile tool for tracking, mixing and mastering, on a vocal or on a mix bus.

Smart Dynamics

The SmartDyn function engages a dual-slope detector that handles transient peaks and average level separately. You can contain peaks without dropping the average level, and without pumping. Most users leave it on all the time.

Two independent detectors

Most stereo compressors sum left and right to mono before detection: centre elements dominate and out-of-phase information is poorly handled. The COMPRESSOR uses two independent RMS detectors, intelligently linked in stereo: the image stays stable and precise on a full mix. The two channels can also run in dual mono, or in series for ultra-transparent cascaded compression.

Features

• Automatic attack and release, or manual setting
• Stepped ratios from 1:1 to 20:1, hard or soft knee
• Two internal sidechain filters: Bass Cut (-3 dB at 60 Hz, 6 dB/oct) to avoid pumping on the low end, and Sibilance Boost (high shelf taken from the BAX EQ) to control sibilance
• External sidechain, for example for dynamic EQ
• VU meters (gain reduction, input or output) with -6 dB offset, and LEDs for transients
• Audiophile-grade VCAs and components, hand-assembled in the USA

Specifications

• Frequency response: ±0.25 dB from 15 Hz to 80 kHz
• Maximum level: > +27 dBu
• Noise floor: < -93 dBu (22 Hz-22 kHz)
• Crosstalk: > 115 dB at 1 kHz
• Input impedance: 20 kΩ
• Output impedance: 50 Ω