Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 is a 4-channel, 2U rackmount analogue dynamics processor built around Cranborne Audio’s Modal PWM compression architecture. Designed as a mastering-grade evolution of the Brick Lane platform, Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 combines pure analogue PWM compression, analogue lookahead technology, multi-band harmonic saturation, and digitally controlled recall into a single, highly flexible hardware processor. Supporting mono, stereo, Mid/Side, series, dual-band, and de-esser operation, Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 is intended for demanding tracking, mixing, and mastering workflows where precision, flexibility, and sonic integrity are critical.
At the core of Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 is its proprietary Modal PWM compression system. Rather than relying on fixed ratios or static gain control laws, Modal PWM compression dynamically alters the behaviour of the analogue gain stage itself, shaping time constants, envelope response, and harmonic behaviour in real time. This approach allows Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 to deliver multiple fundamentally different compression characters from a single analogue signal path, while maintaining extremely low distortion, fast transient response, and consistent tonal balance across a wide operating range.
Each of the four channels in Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 features a fully analogue PWM compressor paired with an enhanced noise gate incorporating analogue lookahead. Six distinct compression modes are available, each defining a different dynamic and harmonic behaviour. VELVET delivers smooth, vintage-inspired compression with gentle harmonic density. FLOAT provides opto-style, transparent dynamics with flowing ballistics. TAME offers ultra-fast, precise transient control for surgical dynamic shaping. GLUE is optimised for bus compression, gently binding elements together without obvious artefacts. SMASH delivers aggressive, FET-style compression with pronounced punch and impact. POLISH is a mastering-grade limiter mode that combines ultra-fast response with Cranborne Audio’s exclusive analogue lookahead technology for clean, controlled peak management.
Analogue lookahead is a defining feature of Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4. Using predictive voltage detection rather than digital buffering, the system anticipates incoming transients without introducing latency or digital conversion. This allows Brick Lane MC4 to achieve zero-latency peak control while preventing overload and maintaining full analogue signal integrity. Lookahead is particularly critical in POLISH mode, where it enables extremely fast, transparent limiting suitable for mastering and final level control.
Harmonic character within Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 is governed by the proprietary STRESS control. Rather than applying a single saturation circuit, Brick Lane MC4 employs six distinct, mode-specific analogue saturation topologies that are dynamically linked to gain reduction. Harmonic content evolves with signal level, envelope, and compression activity, recreating the programme-dependent behaviour of classic analogue compressors where tone and dynamics are inseparable. This allows Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 to range from subtle density and warmth to assertive, dynamic coloration while remaining controlled and repeatable.
Advanced parameter access is provided through ENIGMA, Cranborne Audio’s deep compression control system. ENIGMA exposes parameters typically fixed in analogue designs, including compression knee, attack and release weighting, detector behaviour, and high-frequency emphasis. These controls allow each compression mode to be precisely adapted to different sources and musical objectives, from tight, percussive transient control to slower, more characterful dynamic shaping, all while remaining entirely within the analogue domain.
Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 is designed for complex modern analogue workflows. Mono, stereo, and Mid/Side operation are supported, with integrated encoding and decoding handled internally. Series mode allows two dynamics channels to be chained internally for multi-stage compression without external patching, distributing gain reduction for smoother control and improved tonal consistency. Dual-band mode splits the signal into low and high frequency bands for true analogue multi-band compression, minimising phase interaction while providing independent control over low-end energy and high-frequency detail. A dedicated de-esser mode with analogue lookahead ensures accurate sibilance control without overshoot or tonal compromise.
Each channel of Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 includes a fully bypassable balanced TRS insert point, user-positionable within the signal chain. Inserts may be placed before or after dynamics processing, or between Mid/Side encoding and decoding, allowing external analogue hardware to be integrated seamlessly into complex processing chains. Four assignable external sidechain inputs are also provided, alongside flexible internal sidechain routing, enabling advanced keyed compression, ducking, and inter-channel dynamics relationships across all operating modes.
Despite its fully analogue audio path, Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 is digitally controlled for precision and recall. All parameters can be accessed locally or remotely via USB or Ethernet, with a dedicated control plugin enabling real-time adjustment, preset recall, and session-based workflow integration from within a DAW. This combination of analogue signal processing and digital control allows Brick Lane MC4 to function as a modern, recallable dynamics processor without compromising audio purity.
Features
- Four channels of pure analogue Modal PWM compression and gating
- Six compression modes with distinct dynamic and harmonic behaviours
- Analogue lookahead technology for zero-latency peak control
- Mode-specific dynamic harmonic saturation with STRESS control
- Mono, stereo, Mid/Side, series, dual-band, and de-esser operation
- Integrated Mid/Side encoding and decoding
- Internal series chaining for multi-stage dynamics processing
- True analogue dual-band compression architecture
- Dedicated de-esser mode with analogue lookahead
- ENIGMA advanced compression parameter control
- Bypassable balanced TRS inserts on all channels
- Four assignable external sidechain inputs with flexible routing
- Digitally controlled analogue signal path with USB and Ethernet control
- Full preset recall and DAW integration via control plugin
