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Phoenix Audio N90-DRC/500 Compressor and Gate

VCA style Compressor/Gate designed by the legendary David Rees. This compressor/gate is the definition of a flexible dynamics processor - excellent on virtually every studio application, from vocals t...

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Sound Pure's Take

"Ultra-flexible" and "Workhorse" are thrown around a lot nowadays when describing versatile recording equipment, though typically that comes along with some corners cut along the way. The N90-DRC is proof that you no longer need to compromise at all on sound quality for a multi-source, workhorse compressor that'll perform incredibly well on just about any studio application you throw its way.

Think of it as a warm channel compressor you'd find on a quality recording console. It features just enough control flexibility to push out both smoother leveling and more aggressive compression, while still remaining very intuitive and easy to use. It is absolutely perfect for tracking. It's forgiving enough that you don't have to tweak for long to get compression that manages the channel without feeling clamped down on, but it's still fast enough to react to quick transients from drums or erradic singers. It's easy to dial in, and you can count on it doing the job and staying out of the way.

The Gate section really impressed me upon first use. Normally I try and avoid gating, especially plugin gating, as I find there's almost always some "life" pulled out of the signal in the process. That said, the N90 is proof that a quality analog gate can really enhance and isolate an instrument without any degradation. On kick and snare, the N90's gate preserved every nuance of the drum while removing bleed and additional noise - it truly was incredible, and definitely caused me to rethink what a quality gate is capable of.

The final element of the N90-DRC's circuitry is Phoenix's unique transformer-balanced Class A output stage, which can provide a wonderful gloss of saturation and warmth, and even a little grit if driven hard enough. Identical to all Phoenix Audio gear, we've been hard-pressed to find a single application where the additional warmth didn't enhance the source material in a positive way. Even genre-wise, from modern metal to vintage soul, indie-folk to jazz, the Phoenix output stage adds depth and excitement that simply makes things "pop".

From Phoenix Audio

The Phoenix N90-DRC/500 compressor/gate is designed around a VCA control with Class A discrete input and Class A transformer balanced output. The N90-DRC/500 is intended to be driven ‘by ear' .There are no optimum settings that would cover all situations. It is intended to be very musical and smooth and has quite a wide ranging effect. Musically the progressive curves are very kind - there is no sudden change on passing the threshold and audio processing is virtually "seamless". Technically the progressive curves are achieved using linear detection combined with logarithmic attenuation inside a closed control loop. "Limiter sound" is still provided by the higher ratios and there is a choice of attack times. The gate is more conventional but it's release time is composite with a hold time followed by a fade time. This makes the gate very versatile in that as well as basic noise reduction it can also provide quite subtle changes to ambience or background.

API 500 series compatible rack unit:

Class A (DSOP2) Output specs . Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz +- 0.5dB,

Maximum Output gain = +15dBu @ 1kHz, Noise = -90dB @ 20Hz to 20kHz, maximum output from unit is +26db.

Input connections: XLR input on rear of API compatible rack

Phoenix Audio’s unique Class A, transformer-less, True electronically balanced buffer amp input stage.

Compressor Section Rotary Controls:

Threshold Settings: From +10db to -30db

Ratio Settings: From 2 to 8

Release Settings: Release time of 0.1 seconds to 3 seconds

Compressor Section Switches

Bypass : engages or bypasses compressor section

Fast : Fast or slow release times

Auto : Auto release of compression

Gate Section Rotary Controls:

Threshold Settings: From 0db to -40db

Range Settings: From 40 to 10

Release Settings: Release time of 0.1 seconds to 2 seconds

Gate Section Switches:

Link: Ability to link multiple modules (up to 8).

Key: External input for gate section, connector is a TT Bantam connector

Gate: Switches the Gate in and out

Compression Meter: LED Metering. (Green = -3dbu, -6dbu -10dbu & -14dBu, Red=

-20dBu and doubles as the Gate Active LED)

Typical Max Headroom: +26dB on output stage

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Returns

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