Compressors & Limiters

The Urei LA-4 Compressor/Limiter can reduce the dynamic range of an audio signal, making it more consistent and balanced. The Urei LA-4 Compressor/Limiter can also limit the maximum level of the signal, preventing distortion and clipping.

The Orban 674A was a professional stereo quasi-parametric equaliser that combined the flexibility of parametric controls with the ease of use of a graphic equaliser. It featured eight independent bands per channel with ±16dB of equalisation range and tunable high-pass and low-pass filters that allowed it to function as a full electronic crossover.

The Urei 1178 compressor was introduced in 1979 by Universal Audio. It became a popular choice in recording studios during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, and it remains a sought-after vintage piece of audio equipment today.

The dbx 163 and dbx 164 compressor/ limiters feature dbx’s Over Easy compression. Over Easy refers to a “soft knee” compression characteristic that provides virtually inaudible gain control at ratios up to infinite compression.

The Valley People GAIN BRAIN II, was a professional analogue limiter, compressor and ducker that introduced a new approach to dynamics processing. Incorporating Valley People’s proprietary Linear Integration Detection, Log Domain Processing, Peak Reversion Detector Correction and EGC 101 VCA, it was designed to provide precise control over audio dynamics while preserving the natural character of music and speech.

The Orban 424A Studio Optimod was a stereo compressor, limiter, and de-esser that combined high-performance dynamic range control with intuitive operation. It utilised a feedback-controlled VCA with program-dependent attack and release times to achieve a natural sound and consistent level control. The unit featured independent compressor and de-esser sections, a selectable linear or exponential release shape, and an idle gain control to manage noise during pauses.

The Valley People KEPEX II is a modular programme expander and noise gate combining Valley TA-101 VCA technology with continuously variable expansion, adjustable attack and release characteristics, and external keying facilities. Designed for the Valley 800 Series powered rack system, it provided professional recording engineers with a flexible means of controlling microphone leakage, reducing unwanted noise and manipulating the dynamic envelopes of recorded signals. Its extensive control facilities and ability to operate as either a conventional noise gate or a creatively keyed expander made it a versatile studio dynamics processor.

The dbx 165 is a professional single channel compressor/limiter that features the new dbx Over Easy compression curve. The dbx Over Easy compression curve permits extremely smooth, almost inaudible compression due to the gradual change of compression ratio around the threshold, instead of the customary sharp threshold.

The MXR Dual Limiter is a two-channel rackmount dynamics processor introduced around 1980 as part of MXR’s professional studio range. Designed for dual-mono or linked stereo operation, it combines compression and limiting with independently adjustable input sensitivity, output level, attack and release controls for each channel. A distinctive feature of the design is its voltage-controlled amplifier, which regulates gain using high-frequency switching and pulse-width modulation rather than a conventional continuously variable gain element.

The Orban 418A was a stereo limiter/compressor designed for production rooms, featuring programme-controlled attack and release times and a high-frequency limiter with selectable time constants. It utilised a sophisticated analogue release-time processor with four time constants and non-linear smoothing to provide subtle, psychoacoustically matched dynamics. The device was intended for applications such as tape recording, cassette duplication, and optical film recording, where it could control high-frequency energy and broadband levels without audible side-effects.

The Valley People 610 Dual Compressor/Expander is a versatile, high-quality dynamics processor offering dual-channel compression, expansion, and various advanced features for professional audio applications.

The dbx 165A is a professional single channel compressor/limiter that features the new dbx Over Easy compression curve. The dbx Over Easy compression curve permits extremely smooth, almost inaudible compression due to the gradual change of compression ratio around the threshold, instead of the customary sharp threshold.