500 Series Essence Compressor Update

**Tim Farrant** · 23rd June 2006

We have the pricing for the 500 Series ESSENCE compressor worked out - it will street for US$875.

The ESSENCE has a Lundhal 1540 transformer input passively coupled to the OPTO gain reduction element, followed by a high speed Class A make up amplifier and into a Lundahl 1517 output transformer.

The sidechain design is very similar to our SOC1.1 Stereo Compressor, and offers the same Differential Drive topology. The attack time with this circuit is generally less than 1 millisecond when selected.

Units should begin shipping in September, due to availability of the Lundahl transformers. There is a 4 week holiday in Europe I believe beginning 1st July.

Looking (sounding) good!

Tim.

tvanveen · 23rd June 2006

Wow. You're a productive dude. Looks awesome.

How do you get a sidechain signal in there?

**Tim Farrant** · 23rd June 2006

There is no sidechain insert as such (the 500 Series format does not allow for the connections), but there is fixed sidechain EQ. You can boost/cut the bass and treble with the S/C LO and S/C HI switches. The shelving EQ curves are roughly 10dB of boost or cut at 100Hz and 10kHz respectively, a bit like tone controls on a Hifi amp.

The S/C MON switch allows you to hear what you are doing with the EQ switches.

Cheers
Tim.

**Lindell** · 23rd June 2006

tvanveen · 23rd June 2006

Very slick.

drmmrboy · 23rd June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

There is no sidechain insert as such (the 500 Series format does not allow for the connections), but there is fixed sidechain EQ. You can boost/cut the bass and treble with the S/C LO and S/C HI switches. The shelving EQ curves are roughly 10dB of boost or cut at 100Hz and 10kHz respectively, a bit like tone controls on a Hifi amp.

The S/C MON switch allows you to hear what you are doing with the EQ switches.

Ku-ell thumbsup

Looks nice. Blue is my favorite color.

antiguru · 23rd June 2006

Looks interesting! Am excited to hear some reviews =]

studjo · 23rd June 2006

Tim you're a Genius

when I get my fancy console - I have to get more of your pres and while I'm at it, why not take 2 of those nice looking compressors????

Hope you're doing well

Jo

thethrillfactor · 23rd June 2006

What does it sound like?

Clean and transparent?

Ballsy and muscular?

Rob King · 23rd June 2006

Hey Tim, I noticed the design takes up 2 slots, so I am assuming 1 I/O will not be used on the back of a 500 rack or lunchbox. Too bad you couldn't have utilized both set's of I/O on a frame for using a sidechain input..? But I do not know the specifics and maybe I am just talking out my ass...Either way, these are looking pretty tasty! Good Job..

Ruudman · 23rd June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Clean and transparent?
Ballsy and muscular?

Yes

ruudman

pan60 · 23rd June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob King

Hey Tim, I noticed the design takes up 2 slots, so I am assuming 1 I/O will not be used on the back of a 500 rack or lunchbox. Too bad you couldn't have utilized both set's of I/O on a frame for using a sidechain input..? But I do not know the specifics and maybe I am just talking out my ass...Either way, these are looking pretty tasty! Good Job..

thats what i was thinking but i just buy gear.
this is a must have for me.
Tim you rock!

Nutmeg II. · 24th June 2006

Big up!
Respect and one love for Tim and the Buzz Audio team!
Lovely gear from lovely people!
keep it comming!

superburtm · 24th June 2006

I'm very aroused

True North · 24th June 2006

Congrats Tim

From a purely business perspective it always struck me as odd that everyone seemed to be playing the mic pre game for the 500 series. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have the selection but why on earth wouldn't manufacturers try and plug the holes that weren't being taken care of and the most obvious was compression. Good thinking! It would be nice to see a couple more EQ options available as well. Can't wait to hear some reviews soon.

Berolzheimer · 24th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

There is no sidechain insert as such (the 500 Series format does not allow for the connections), but there is fixed sidechain EQ. You can boost/cut the bass and treble with the S/C LO and S/C HI switches. The shelving EQ curves are roughly 10dB of boost or cut at 100Hz and 10kHz respectively, a bit like tone controls on a Hifi amp.

The S/C MON switch allows you to hear what you are doing with the EQ switches.

Cheers
Tim.

Tim, look again- I know I used to do external sidechaining with my cx-1s. It would be great to have that option on this guy too.

Then again my rack has terminal strip connections, not hardwired xlrs, so maybe there were i/o options that a lunchbox wouln't have.

TRW · 24th June 2006

Either the width is dictated by front panel controls or its totally rammed in there. If not rammed full, Tim could have easily used a second shorter daughter card to plug into the second slot for xlr i/o S/C access.

But I'm sure he would have thought of that. The feature set looks kewl. Nice to see compressors in the 500 format.

Good work Tim. Will you be doing an MPE equaliser in this new format?

-Tom

lowswing · 24th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

What does it sound like?

Clean and transparent?

Ballsy and muscular?

Yes, tell us more about how it will sound!

I'm on the market for 500 series eq and compressor and was suprised to find out that there are so few modules offered

not_so_new · 24th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowswing

Yes, tell us more about how it will sound!

I'm on the market for 500 series eq and compressor and was suprised to find out that there are so few modules offered

Same here on all counts above. Tim how does it sound compared to the SOC1.1?

NathanEldred · 26th June 2006

2 transformers [on the input, and on the output] = color (and I believe that Lundahl might very well make the best sounding transformers on the market).

parasitk · 27th June 2006

Oooh boy. THIS I cannot wait for!

pan60 · 27th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by parasitk

Oooh boy. THIS I cannot wait for!

oh but you must!

True North · 27th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

2 transformers [on the input, and on the output] = color (and I believe that Lundahl might very well make the best sounding transformers on the market).

Hey Nathan,

Speaking of 500 series compressors............

Ribbonmicguy · 27th June 2006

8 channel of this would be nice! :D

Cheers,

**Tim Farrant** · 27th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRW

Either the width is dictated by front panel controls or its totally rammed in there. If not rammed full, Tim could have easily used a second shorter daughter card to plug into the second slot for xlr i/o S/C access.

-Tom

Hi Tom,

Well I must admit I did not think of that, but I have looked into it and I could add another switch and components to make this possible. Of course the price will have to change given the extra gold plated edge connector, something like $905.

Oh and yes, there are two boards full of components already, but I can SQUEEEEEEEZE it in with a bit of a re-shuffle.

Do you think it's worth the extra expense?

Cheers
Tim.

**Tim Farrant** · 27th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Same here on all counts above. Tim how does it sound compared to the SOC1.1?

The action of the compressor is pretty much identical to the SOC. For those familiar with the SOC, can be very smooth and suitable for compression on acoustic stlyes where you don't really want to hear it. For those unfamiliar with the SOC, you'll just have to try it for yourself!

The audio path is completely different. It's widebandwidth and fast so plently of transient detail, and the transformers add that slight weight to the bottom end.

The more I listen to the Lundahl transformers, the more I like them.

Cheers
Tim.

tvanveen · 27th June 2006

See,s like those extra connectors should be used for something interesting.

How is the link implemented?

pan60 · 27th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

Hi Tom,

Well I must admit I did not think of that, but I have looked into it and I could add another switch and components to make this possible. Of course the price will have to change given the extra gold plated edge connector, something like $905.

Oh and yes, there are two boards full of components already, but I can SQUEEEEEEEZE it in with a bit of a re-shuffle.

Do you think it's worth the extra expense?

Cheers
Tim.

i think it would if we are only talking about the increase mentioned Tim.
would their be any delays in implementing this?

thenoiseflower · 27th June 2006

I would certainly pay the bumped cost for a sc on the xlr's!

this comp looks like killer, sign me up!

parasitk · 27th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenoiseflower

I would certainly pay the bumped cost for a sc on the xlr's!

Yup, same here.

23rd June 2006	#1
Tim Farrant Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,309 Thread Starter	500 Series Essence Compressor Update We have the pricing for the 500 Series ESSENCE compressor worked out - it will street for US$875. The ESSENCE has a Lundhal 1540 transformer input passively coupled to the OPTO gain reduction element, followed by a high speed Class A make up amplifier and into a Lundahl 1517 output transformer. The sidechain design is very similar to our SOC1.1 Stereo Compressor, and offers the same Differential Drive topology. The attack time with this circuit is generally less than 1 millisecond when selected. Units should begin shipping in September, due to availability of the Lundahl transformers. There is a 4 week holiday in Europe I believe beginning 1st July. Looking (sounding) good! Tim. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Come on, make my day" Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) Visit Buzz Audio Last edited by Tim Farrant; 27th June 2006 at 08:46 AM.. Reason: Got the price wrong, $875, not $895

23rd June 2006	#10
Rob King Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sherman Oaks Posts: 1,082	Hey Tim, I noticed the design takes up 2 slots, so I am assuming 1 I/O will not be used on the back of a 500 rack or lunchbox. Too bad you couldn't have utilized both set's of I/O on a frame for using a sidechain input..? But I do not know the specifics and maybe I am just talking out my ass...Either way, these are looking pretty tasty! Good Job.. __________________ Rob King Green Street Studios My Production Gear List

24th June 2006	#13
Nutmeg II. Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: GEARmany Posts: 985	Big up! Respect and one love for Tim and the Buzz Audio team! Lovely gear from lovely people! keep it comming! __________________ "Any recording engineer who uses a tube U47 is obviously not a professional" Stephan Temmer 1979

24th June 2006	#15
True North Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada) Posts: 3,203	Congrats Tim From a purely business perspective it always struck me as odd that everyone seemed to be playing the mic pre game for the 500 series. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have the selection but why on earth wouldn't manufacturers try and plug the holes that weren't being taken care of and the most obvious was compression. Good thinking! It would be nice to see a couple more EQ options available as well. Can't wait to hear some reviews soon. __________________ "In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey" - Beck, Loser "I do use compressors/limiters but not for controlling dynamics, I use EQ for that!" Jp22 (damn I miss him) "Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -- Will Durant, historian (1885-1981) "I try to get a boom out of the bass drum, in one of my albums, my CD, boom, I try to get that big boom, I could not get a big boom, I paid bucks, and could not get the boom" - Recording Expert, Tad Donley

26th June 2006	#20
NathanEldred Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida Posts: 7,130	2 transformers [on the input, and on the output] = color (and I believe that Lundahl might very well make the best sounding transformers on the market). __________________ Nathan Eldred Visit Atlas Pro Audio USA Distributor for Buzz Audio Atlas Recording Studios, Inc.

23rd June 2006	#2
tvanveen Gear addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: DC Posts: 313	Wow. You're a productive dude. Looks awesome. How do you get a sidechain signal in there?

23rd June 2006	#4
Lindell Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,328

23rd June 2006	#7
antiguru Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Vancouver, BC Posts: 207	Looks interesting! Am excited to hear some reviews =]

23rd June 2006	#8
studjo Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 2,399	Tim you're a Genius when I get my fancy console - I have to get more of your pres and while I'm at it, why not take 2 of those nice looking compressors???? Hope you're doing well Jo

23rd June 2006	#9
thethrillfactor Gear Guru Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 14,176	What does it sound like? Clean and transparent? Ballsy and muscular?

24th June 2006	#14
superburtm Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: LOS ANGELES Posts: 3,581	I'm very aroused

24th June 2006	#17
TRW Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,142	Either the width is dictated by front panel controls or its totally rammed in there. If not rammed full, Tim could have easily used a second shorter daughter card to plug into the second slot for xlr i/o S/C access. But I'm sure he would have thought of that. The feature set looks kewl. Nice to see compressors in the 500 format. Good work Tim. Will you be doing an MPE equaliser in this new format? -Tom

27th June 2006	#21
parasitk Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 232	Oooh boy. THIS I cannot wait for!

27th June 2006	#24
Ribbonmicguy Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Posts: 405	8 channel of this would be nice! :D Cheers,

27th June 2006	#29
thenoiseflower Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 1,424	I would certainly pay the bumped cost for a sc on the xlr's! this comp looks like killer, sign me up!

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