Crane Song STC-8 Stereo Compressor, from Crane Song

An absolutely incredible 2-channel compressor AND limiter. This combined compressor and limiter series (yes, you can use both simultaneously) lends itself to mixing and mastering... we engineers know that you can't really adjust your limiter without adjusting your compressor, so this is the box that allows you to do it all under one roof. However, not only is its sonic transparency and complete versatility apparent by its function as a mastering device, this compressor also has a number of different compression settings that allow for its use as an effects box, and a wonderful tracking device as well. It is a little pricey, but its value is obvious!

The STC-8 is a high quality compressor that delivers consistent gain control without sacrificing musical definition or harmonic richness. It utilizes a remarkably dependable peak limiter that provides overload protection that is critical to digital recording and broadcast transmitters. The STC-8 is engineered to provide musically transparent gain control, but is also capable of emulating vintage equipment and creating distinctive new sounds. In addition, a switchable enhancement circuit creates analog and tube-like warmth to enrich lifeless audio and digital recordings. This vast flexibility is simplified by the inclusion of several optimized presets, allowing fast, easy set-up on a wide variety of sounds. It can operate in true stereo or discrete independent mono, accessible by a front panel switch. The STC-8s features include:

•     Simultaneous Compression/Limiting
•     Discrete Class A
•     Balanced/Transformerless I/O
•     Quick & Easy Presets
•     'KI' & 'HARA' Sounds
•     Transparent Overload Protection

The STC-8s sophisticated side-chain allows both compression and peak limiting to take place simultaneously, using the same proprietary gain control circuit. High signal quality is maintained by utilizing the discrete class A audio path and by eliminating any VCA or optical gain control elements.

SPECIFICATIONS

Compressor Attack Time: FAST; measured by doing 18 dB of Gain Reduction. The time to 18 dB of Gain Reduction is less than 1mS. 12 dB of the 18 are reached in .4mS.
SLOW; for 6 dB of GainReduction, 100mS

Compressor Release Time: FAST; From 12 dB of Gain Reduction to No Gain Reduction. 11 of 12 dB are reached in 50mS (Non Program Dependant Release)
SLOW; 20 sec for a full 12 dB release with PDR enabled.

Limiter Attack Time: less than 1uS.

Limiter Release Time: 60mS for 6 dB of Gain Reduction.

Maximum Signal Level: Input or Output, +25 dBm

Noise Floor: -88 dBm measured 20Hz to 20kHz

Frequency Response: 5Hz to 55kHz (Hara Mode)

Limiter Slope: Greater than 10 to 1

INTERFACING

Input: Floating, balanced. Maximum input is +25 dBm. The connectors are XLR.

Output: Floating, balanced. Maximum output is +25 dBm. The connectors are XLR.

For Input and Output: Pin 2 is Sig + , Pin 3 is Sig- , Pin 1 is GND

Side Chain Connections: Floating, balanced. Connections are made by using a DB-15 Male Connector. This is a loop insert and must be normaled back to the STC-8.

Unbalanced Connections: Are made by tying the SIG- Pin to the GND Pin. If the connection is an input, it is best to tie at the signal source. If the connection is an output, it is best to tie at the STC-8 connector.

Power: 100, 120, 230,240 volt; 50/60 Hz; 55 watts
             MDL .6A Fuse for 100V and 120V
             MDL .3A Fuse for 230V and 240V

Pilot Lamp: # 7335

Shipping Weight: 19 lbs. (8.6 kg)

Depth Behind Panel: 12.5 inches (31.75 cm) plus cabling

Panel Height: 2 rack spaces