The Golden Age Audio COMP-3A is a one-channel vintage style compressor/leveler that recreates the smooth, musical compression of classic optical designs. Built with fully discrete components, the Golden Age Audio COMP-3A avoids integrated circuits to maintain a true analogue sound, while transformer balanced input and output stages, each optimised for their role, ensure warm and reliable performance with almost any load.
The Golden Age Audio COMP-3As T4-style electro-optical attenuator provides program dependent attack and release times, giving the unit its distinctive compression character, while the simple Gain and Peak Reduction controls make it quick and intuitive to use.
An HF control adds flexibility by tailoring side-chain sensitivity to mid and high frequencies, and a large meter provides clear feedback of gain reduction or output level. With XLR and TRS connections, stereo linking capability, hardwire bypass, and all controls conveniently placed on the front panel, the Golden Age Audio COMP-3A combines vintage-inspired tone with modern usability.
Compact, rugged, and affordable, the Golden Age Audio COMP-3A delivers the sound and feel of the originals at a price accessible to today’s engineers and musicians.
Features
- Vintage style electronics with no integrated circuits in the signal path
- Transformer balanced input and output, capable of driving most loads
- Selectable output transformer loading resistors via internal jumper to shape high frequency response
- T4-style electro-optical attenuator with program dependent attack and release times
- Simple operation with Gain and Peak Reduction controls
- HF control for increased side-chain sensitivity to mid and high frequencies
- Large meter selectable for gain reduction or output level at two reference levels
- Hardwire bypass switch for quick comparisons
- XLR and TRS input and output connectors for flexible routing
- Link jack and switch for stereo operation with another unit
- All external controls located on the front panel
- External power supply to prevent interaction with audio circuits and transformers
- Compact 2RU half rack format, mountable in 19-inch racks with the UNITE BIG kit
- Durable build quality designed for years of reliable use