| TL Audio Ivory 5052 Stereo Valve Processor
The TL Audio 5052 Stereo Valve Processor is the latest addition to the best-selling Ivory 2 series. The 5052 provides everything you would expect from a high quality ‘channel strip?product, and then doubles it - making it the ideal system front end and the perfect stereo mixdown and mastering device. While most channel strip products provide a single mono channel made up of preamp, dynamics and EQ stages, the 5052 provides two channels of each with independent stereo linking of the compressor, EQ and limiter sections. Recording a mono or stereo source to multitrack through the 5052 becomes simplicity itself, yet when it comes to mixdown the 5052 comes into its own by offering full stereo linked EQ and dynamics - allowing unparalleled processing of the stereo buss while mixing.
Couple this supreme flexibility with TL Audio’s class-leading valve circuit design, and the 5052 represents the ultimate tracking and mixing tool for today’s digital
environment.
The 5052 utilises six triode valve stages shared between the two channels, run from a high quality internal 150V stabilised DC supply.
Features
Specifications
Optional Extras
Reviews
Sound on Sound
5052 : Magazine Review
"The quality of construction of this processor, and its intrinsic hybrid sound quality, easily justify the substantial UK cost, although it has little direct competition. Overall, this is a very competent processor, which is easy to use and provides a well-balanced range of facilities ?the possibility for a digital input in the future is also an exciting prospect. Whether for tracking, mixing or mastering, the 5052 stereo valve processor will serve well, bringing a controllable valve character to the party as well as enabling both creative and corrective signal processing through the EQ, compressor and peak limiter."
Resolution
5052 : Magazine Review
"What’s great about the 5052 is that the character of the EQ and compression is altered according to how hard the input section is being driven and this really is the heart of this unit. The input gain pot drives a valve circuit ?just how hard is indicated by the glowing intensity of its associated Drive LED. TL Audio is not scared to offer you 11 on the input gain, you can really pile in the level. Nowhere is this better illustrated than what it can do to the otherwise unassuming and well behaved limiter. The Limiter is switched on with a pull of its Threshold pot and if you load up the front of the channel with the input gain, tune into a kick drum with the EQ or side chain the compressor to do the same, and let it hit the limiter at some speed?well, it’s obscene. It sounds like the box is exploding internally. Fantastic.
It’s worth reminding that you are also getting a pair of rather refined sounding mic preamps into the bargain complete with phase reverse and a 90Hz filter. If I was feeling really greedy then I might have wanted some sweepable high and low pass filters, although I don’t know where they would put them. As I’m not, I have to admit that this is an incredibly well rounded and complete package. Mono recording channels have never made a lot of sense to me. The 5052 is so flexible. Recommended."
Audio Media
5052 : Magazine Review
"The 5052 packs a lot in, and does it extremely well, so the result is an impressively versatile package capable of handling a wide range of jobs. As a front end from microphones to DAW, particularly with the digital output option, it excels; at the other end of the spectrum it offers a pretty comprehensive mastering solution. In between it can be two completely independent signal processors, worth using for the sake of either compression or EQ, and especially the powerful combination of the two. It costs a little more than the bargain basement prices of some of the other Ivory units, but with so much on board it still maintains the high bang-per-buck ratio of the series. TL’s products have never failed to impress, and the 5052 is no exception."
Audio Technology Magazine
5052 : Magazine Review
"Well designed hybrid processors should provide the best of both worlds, offering a combination of accuracy, reliability and low noise with the euphoric delights of the ‘natural?compression and harmonic colouration associated with valves. The 5052 surprised me, sounding warm and sweet, but with plenty of clarity and crispness where needed. The bottom end was tight, displaying none of the poorly defined wooliness sometimes associated with cheaper hybrid processors. The EQs are powerful and flexible, with minimal loss of imaging even during deep notching. I particularly liked the sweet top end thus unit is capable of crafting and enjoyed using it on vocals, guitars and individual drums. The compressor is certainly musical and it manages to maintain dynamic transparency while imparting valve colouration to the audio.
There’s a lot to be said for buying a single stereo “all-in-one-box?processor. I can think of many situations where the 5052 would come in very handy, particularly where portability is a factor. Similarly, those on a limited budget can solve their outboard dilemma in one fell swoop. And if you really need to add some analogue warmth to your digital gear, this is a great way to do it in style, without breaking the bank." |
