Buzz Audio Ships SOC-20 Class A Optical Compressor
Buzz Audio, the boutique audio tool designers and manufacturers from New Zealand, have released their SOC-20 Compressor.
Buzz Audio offers a line of unique products that are designed with the future of recording in mind – offering unique innovations in all of their products. The SOC-20, for example, includes a Differential Drive Side Chain feature passed down from its older brother as well as its own stereo Mid/Side processing mode.
The SOC-20 - click to enlarge
The Buzz Audio SOC-20 Compressor is available to order now for $3,560 MSRP and can be found with a street price of $2,960.
Read on for more about the unique design of this compressor, direct from Buzz Audio:
Design Goals
In response to demand from our users, we introduce the Series 20 Stereo Optical Compressor – a fully discrete, Class A, transformer coupled version of the well known SOC-1.1 audio compressor. In addition to the excellent compression characteristics developed for the SOC-1.1, the Series 20 version includes additional features suggested by our users. The use of discrete electronics and audio transformers in the audio path adds a little more character to the original SOC sound, and the extra features make the SOC-20 an excellent choice for stereo mix processing.
Description
The design of the SOC-20 includes the unique Differential Drive Side Chain topology found in the SOC-1.1, This system ensures the compressor will never over compress and dig holes in your audio. The benefits of the DDSC have been well documented in our SOC-1.1 user comments – smooth and effortless analog compression is available at your finger tips.
So what’s actually new in the SOC-20? Well, we have added a side chain insert point to enable you to apply equalization and change how the compressor acts on a frequency basis. For example, cutting low and high frequencies in the side chain so only the vocal range is compressed on a stereo mix. A side chain monitor function allows you to hear what you are doing to the side chain signal. We have also included a set high pass filter in the side chain which reduces the compressor sensitivity at frequencies below 150Hz.
Perhaps the most important SOC-20 feature is the stereo Mid/Side processing mode. At the flick of a switch a discrete Class A sum and difference circuit is enabled so that Channel A now processes the L+R (sum) signal and Channel B the L-R (difference) signal of your stereo mix. This function, along with the side chain insert point, opens up whole new ways to easily manipulate your mixes and achieve the sound you desire.
Features:
Toasty Class A discrete signal path with flashy Lundahl output transformers.
On board Mid Side processor.
Side chain insert point on balanced XLR’s.
Built in side chain high pass filter.
Fast attack optical compressor.
Applications:
Music recording and mixing
Post production studios
Voice overs and dialog
Classical and acoustic music styles
Live sound
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