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Phoenix Audio N90-DRC/500 Compressor and Gate

Name: Phoenix Audio N90-DRC/500 Compressor and Gate
Brand: Phoenix Audio
SKU: 6185
Price: 899.00 USD
Availability: BackOrder

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".

Watch & listen

Phoenix Audio N90-DRC/500 Compressor and Gate on Vocals and Clean Electric Guitar

Also in this recording Apogee Digital Symphony I/O MkI 16x16 Analog Miktek C7e Large Diaphragm Multi-Pattern FET Condenser Mic Phoenix Audio DRS8 mk2 Microphone Preamp Shure KSM313/NE Dual-Voice Ribbon Mic with Roswellite Ribbon LaChapell Audio 983s MKII 2-Channel Tube Preamp

The Phoenix Audio N90-DRC/500 is an incredibly musical VCA style compressor/gate that's proving to be one of the most versatile 500 series processors in our rack. In this video we use a clean electric guitar and vocal track to showcase the N90's smooth compressor circuit, incredibly fast 1ms attack time, and auto release functions. The N90-DRC also features the venerable Phoenix Class A transformer balanced output which adds a pleasing final layer of harmonic saturation, resulting in a warmer and more exciting sound that compliments nearly every recording application. Be sure and request the hi-res audio files by emailing us at proaudio@soundpure.com to hear all the subtle nuances of this fantastic dynamics processor. If you'd like to demo the Phoenix N90-DRC in your studio with your gear give the Sound Pure Pro Audio team a call at 919-682-5552 for more information. Additionally if you have any questions about the N90 or other dynamics processors and recording gear don't hesitate to shoot us an email or give us a ring at anytime. Thanks for watching!

Phoenix Audio N90-DRC/500 Compressor and Gate on Snare and Overheads

Also in this recording Apogee Digital Symphony I/O MkI 16x16 Analog

The Phoenix Audio N90-DRC/500 is an incredibly musical VCA style compressor/gate that's proving to be one of the most versatile 500 series processors in our rack. In this video we use a snare and stereo overhead track to showcase the smooth yet responsive nature of the N90's compressor circuit, as well as the gate's impressive ability to fully eliminate unwanted cymbal bleed without negatively impacting the sound of the snare. The N90-DRC also features the venerable Phoenix Class A transformer balanced output which adds a pleasing final layer of harmonic saturation, resulting in a warmer and more exciting sound that compliments nearly every recording application. Be sure and request the hi-res audio files by emailing us at proaudio@soundpure.com to hear all the subtle nuances of this fantastic dynamics processor. If you'd like to demo the Phoenix N90-DRC in your studio with your gear give the Sound Pure Pro Audio team a call at 919-682-5552 for more information. Additionally if you have any questions about the N90 or other dynamics processors and recording gear don't hesitate to shoot us an email or give us a ring at anytime. Thanks for watching! Additional gear used: Apogee Symphony 16x16 I/O Converter

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

Free 3-Year Warranty

Sound Pure stands behind our products. Free three-year warranty on this item. Coverage exclusions live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Level of support and expertise that simply isn't available at big-box megastores. Read the warranty →

Returns

Not eligible for Try Before You Buy or the 48-hour approval period. Standard return policy applies — see Terms & Conditions, Section 18 for details.

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