G-Series Deluxe Buss Compressor
G-Series Deluxe Buss Compressor
Announcing the AudioScape G-Series Deluxe Buss Compressor, a stereo bus compressor that bridges the gap between the famous British E-Series console compressors and the later G-series revisions–including their rackmount counterparts. Featuring two of our painstakingly recreated dbx 202c gold can VCAs, built with actual vintage components, and combining features from both of our E and G series buss compressors, the G-Series unit carries forth the legacy of our original Buss Comp into the next decade of AudioScape!
AudioScape has added a few updates to this edition, making it an even more indispensable tool for creating giant mixes. The updates include a switchable LINK function, so the Buss Comp Deluxe can be used in unlink mode, (unlike the ‘fixed’ internal link design), and a SLAM function that will take your mixes all the way to the edge!
Also included is a BLEND control, for “wet” to “dry” mixing of compressed/ uncompressed audio. We’ve added more control over the side-chain (S-C) filter by giving the user a range of high-pass corner frequencies to choose from, from 60-320 Hz, or OFF completely.
We’ve even added a switchable IRON feature that will engage some of our favorite Cinemag output transformers, giving even more tonal options.
A Real 202c Gold Can VCA
Anyone familiar with the topology of these compressors knows the core of the E-Series sound comes from the distinctive dbx 202c “gold can” VCAs, with their signature high THD compared to later revisions. In order to build our E-Series Deluxe Buss Comp, we de-potted and reverse-engineered an original 202c VCA, and found that it differed from the schematic easily found online. We build our own according to the correct actual specifications, using the exact same now-obsolete dual transistors–drawing from our diverse but limited stockpile of NOS components–to nail the vintage grit of the original. Put simply, you can’t make these accurately with modern transistors. They won’t sound the same.
The new G-Series Deluxe Buss Compressor uses a pair of these new 202c VCAs in the audio path. Unlike our E-Series Deluxe Buss, which also utilizes 202c VCAs in the sidechain–like true E-series console bus compressors–the G-Series Deluxe follows the model of early G-Series consoles, which still used gold cans in the audio parts of the circuit, but had begun switching over to THAT Corp 2151 VCAs in the detector path. These chips are technically superior to gold cans, with a cleaner and faster response, which makes them well-suited to use in the sidechain. For those who seek the classic grit of the E-Series console sound, the 202c is a must, so we’ve included them here where they matter most!
Gear Built With Intention
The G-Series Deluxe Buss Comp is designed like every other AudioScape unit: to be the best possible version of the circuit it recreates. Rather than attempting to combine all of these compressor circuits and revisions in a single product, we’ve built each one separately with intention and respect for the original design–knowing that combination almost always leads to compromise, and no “all in one” product is truly going to capture each circuit at its best.
To that end, the G-Series Deluxe Buss Comp is a standalone product, integrating some of the features and flexibility of our newer E-Series unit with the classic simplicity of the G-Series design. It includes the dry/wet blend, stereo un-link, the SLAM function, and “Iron” modes from the E-Series Deluxe, along with the added 1.5:1, 6:1, and 8:1 ratio options, the same 5 sidechain high-pass filter frequencies, and nine of its 11 attack settings. In our view, this product is a perfect bridge between the G-Series and E-Series units, both in feature set and sound.
FEATURES:
In-house, vintage-accurate 202c “Gold Can” VCAs in audio path (using NOS transistors)
True-stereo sidechain with THAT Corp 2180 VCAs
Link On/Off switch to link/unlink sidechain
Dry/Wet Blend control
Six ratio options (1.5:1, 2:1, 4:1, 6:1, 8:1, and 10:1)
Nine total attack settings (0.1ms, 0.2ms, 0.3ms, 0.6ms, 1ms, 2ms, 3ms, 6ms, 10ms)
Ten release settings plus AUTO (0.03s, 0.05s, 0.1s, 0.2s, 0.3s, 0.4s, 0.6s, 0.9s, 1.2s, 1.5s)
+20dB makeup gain available
Six-position sidechain high-pass filter switch (OFF, 60hz, 80hz, 120hz, 200hz, 320hz)
SLAM switch (a creative addition to the buss comp utilizing a heavier ratio and additional gain, so much fun in use)
“IRON” mode featuring Cinemag output transformers
Alpha potentiometers and Lorlin rotary switches
Backlit, original-style analog dB gain reduction meter
Period-correct replica knobs
Electronically balanced +4dBu circuitry
Neutrik XLR input and output connectors
Antek power transformer
Internal 120V/240V power supply
FEATURED VIDEO DEMOS:
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DOCUMENTATION:
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