A-Designs Releases New HM2 NAIL Compressor

A-Designs Audio‘s new HM2 NAIL Compressor — designed to be an “engineer’s ultimate analog creative tool in tracking or on the buss” — is now shipping.

The NAIL combines a feedback diode-based design with a 12AT7 tube output section, and boasts a wide variety of features including Hard Threshold, Filter and Mix.

The NAIL’s Mix feature allows users to customize the amount of compression added into the dry signal without the “fight” that is often experienced with other compressors. Mix also comes in handy for engineers working in-the-box who want to add phase coherent parallel compression.

The Hard Threshold feature doubles as a limiter, and along with the Threshold feature, automatically influences the compression ratio. The Filter feature is a variable high-pass filter (up to 250 Hz) on the sidechain that works without triggering compression on the entire signal. It doesn’t isolate an assigned frequency like a multi-band unit would.

Other attributes include a stereo link switch that allows all functions but the Gain and Mix to be controlled via Channel 1, two gain reduction/output level switches, two in/out switches for bypass, a 19-Light LED that works as a VU meter, four XLR connectors (two male and two female), and durable conductive plastic potentiometers.

The list price on the NAIL is $2,850 and it is available online at http://www.adesignaudio.com.

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