Check the listing for details. Shadow Hills Industries Dual-Channel Mastering-Grade Compressor/Limiter. Condition: New. Listed at 9599.00 USD. Category 500 Series Modular Synth Keyboards Microphones Preamps Dynamics Equalizers Monitoring Computer Audio Interfaces Software Beat Production Shadow Hills Industries Mastering Compressor The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor has extraordinary functionality, and also provides mastering grade compression and limiting for tracking and mixing. Essentially it is two compressors in series, per channel, that can act in stereo, or dual mono. First comes our mastering grade electro optical compressor, followed by our discrete Class-A compressor/limiter. Both feed our switchable custom output transformers, Nickel, Iron, and Steel. There is enough gain in each section to overdrive the hottest tape, or clip your converters, if you're into that sort of thing. The input stage is transformer balanced, followed by our fully discrete optical compressor. This section utilizes the same T4B optical attenuator as the LA2A and LA3A, but is optimized for mastering. The second stage is our discrete Class-A VCA compressor. There are no electrolytic caps or IC chips in the audio path. There are six ratios: 1.2 to 1, 2 to 1, 3 to 1, 4 to 1, 6 to 1, and 10 to 1. There is six attack settings: .1, .5, 1, 5, 10, and 30 milliseconds. And there are six release times selectable: .1, .25, .5,8, 1.2, and Auto. There is an insertable filter in the side chain to limit pumping with bass heavy material. Lastly the signal goes through our new Shadow Hills custom transformer-switching network. The first position is Nickel, which is our custom version of a famous L. A. custom console. Next is Iron. In this mode the signal goes through our op-amp and into a Class-A output stage then to our custom Iron transformers, the last transformer position is Steel. These selections allow you to choose between different output transformers that are in effect: clean, colored, and dirty, respectively. The optical section has a hard-wired bypass that completely removes it from the signal path, and the Class-A VCA compressor is also hardwire bypassable, completely removing it from the chain. It is possible to independently bypass both compression sections and have your signal go through the input transformer and transformer selector only. There is also a hardwire bypass for the entire compressor, effectively a strait wire in and out of the box. So besides being a mastering grade, and highly functional buss compressor, it serves as an excellent tracking compressor. For instance, you might call up the chain of the optical compressor, then to the Class-A output and Iron transformer, for vocals, or select just the Class-A VCA compressor with a 10:1 plus the Steel transformer for crushing some room mics, and on and on. The metering can reflect, optical gain reduction, discrete gain reduction, or output level. The Magic eye tube follows the output meter to act as a peak meter. All 17 of the rotary switches are detented. The front panel is engraved. The knobs are bake-lite. Testimonials "The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is a very versatile and unique sounding unit, capable of transforming a quite ordinary sounding mix into something warmer, richer and more musically glued together. It has a completely natural, smooth sound, which perfectly compliments mixes which have been done primarily in the box by smoothing many of the harsh overtones. By linking the opto and discreet compressors, it is possible to nearly re-balance a mix by making the ambient elements and musical hooks move forward in a subtle and non-hyped way. The choice of iron/nickel/steel for the compressor is an ultra fine-tuning control which is the most fun part of working with the unit, as it affords a surprise in the special enhancement it provides and keeps the user from “settling” on a setting which is almost, but not quite, right. The ergonomics for the Shadow Hills are the best I ever encountered in a mastering compressor by a wide margin. Easy to read, easy to recall. Of course, the ultra-large knobs are the wow factor which all visitors to the studio have immediately remarked about.No one piece of gear is ever good for every project, but the Shadow Hills has, in two months use, become an essential part of my mastering set-up, affording me a perfect solution to many of the problems we encounter in the post recording studio era."Greg Calbi, Sterling Sound"Nobody buy the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor! Please return yours now. I'm willing to suffer the consequence of being the only one to own that anchor. Yah, it adds a shimmering excitement to multi buss compression by not getting in the way of the internal dynamics I've created... and I do love putting my hands on those big black knobs...but who cares? Just once, I want a great compressor that nobody else can have."Michael Brauer "The Shadow Hills mastering compressor is something I've avoided since it came out because, cynical Canadian that I am, I figured something that looked that good couldn't sound amazing. I was so wrong.It's an instant game changer... put it on the mix bus with a tiny bit of optical compression and more liberal VCA compression with the sidechain engaged keeping all the low end and BLOODY HELL IT'S AMAZING. I'm mixing at least twice as fast as I ever have, and the mixes sound completely on par with the best mixers out there. I know how that reads in text form, but it's really something else. Sorry for the unfiltered gearsluttiness but I can't contain myself. They should rename it the Game Changer."Greg Wells "Forget the aesthetics of the unit - it's the most versatile comp ever. The discrete comp is a cross between a G384 and a 33609. The opto side is fast as hell. I'd love to take it off the 2mix but that won't happen."Doug McBride About Us Since 1993, we have been committed to equipping our customers with the very best gear, advice, and personal service anywhere. We believe that great sound can be achieved at any budget. We also believe that the ambitions of our customers should always come first. For us, it's about building long-lasting relationships, not just selling gear. And over the years, those beliefs have turned customers into friends and family. Whether you're just starting out, or a seasoned pro, we're here for you, no matter where your audio travels may take you. Shipping Policy Free ground shipping to the lower 48 states Via FedEx. All of our items ship via FedEx. On checkout, it may look like you are selecting a UPS shipping method, but the item will be shipped via the equivalent FedEx method. Import Duties and Tax Since import taxes and/or duties that your government might impose on products shipped from the United States may apply, you (the customer), are solely responsible for shipping charges, taxes, and duties, once goods arrive in your country. Undeliverable/Rejected Package If your package was rejected by your local Customs Bureau or the shipment could not be delivered and was returned to Vintage King Audio for any reason, we are not responsible for the shipping costs. Free Extended Warranty All new items that Vintage King carries are subject to our FREE extended warranty protection. Basically, if the manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty on your product, then you are covered under the same warranty terms for a total of 2 years from the time of initial shipment. Likewise, if the manufacturer offers a 5-year warranty, then you receive a total of 6 years of coverage when purchased through Vintage King. We add 1 year to your standard manufacturer's warranty period, FREE of charge, whatever the manufacturer's warranty period may be. Duties and tax for warranty and damage replacement items International Duties and tax for warranty and damage replacement items may apply. Even though you may have paid shipping, taxes or duty on your original order, it is IMPORTANT to understand that your government may impose duties and taxes for warranty items or replacement items damaged during shipment from the United States for the new order. You (the customer), are solely responsible for shipping charges, taxes, and duties, once goods arrive in your country. Used Item Warranties Vintage King offers an industry-leading level of technical service and warranty support on our used and vintage items. Our used item warranty periods are as follows: Analog Outboard Gear 1 Year Microphones 1 Year (excluding capsules, tubes, and ribbon elements) Speakers 1 Year (excluding drivers) Digital Outboard Gear 30 Days Return Policy We do our best to help you choose the perfect gear, but if you don't love it in the first 30 days after receipt, please contact us through eBay for a return authorization. Note: Software is not returnable or refundable. What Are "Demo Deal" or "B-Stock" Products? Our Demo Deals and B-Stock products offer a unique opportunity to save big on near-mint condition, fully warrantied gear. These items have been opened for demonstration purposes and put back in the box without extended use. All original factory accessories and packaging are included. In addition to the manufacturer's warranty, Demo Deal and B-Stock items also come with an additional 1-year of warranty coverage from Vintage King, free of charge, so rest assured that not only are you saving big by purchasing a Demo Deal/B-Stock item, but you will also receive the same level of world-class support from Vintage King as with the purchase of a factory-sealed unit. Taxes Vintage King collects sales tax for shipments to Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin and Wyoming. Partial and complete tax exemptions may be available in your state. Contact us through eBay for details. 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