The Handcrafted Labs Grid Mastering Compressor is Vari-Mu style compressor that dramatically impacts the sound and feel of your mix!
The Handcrafted Labs GridGrid is a Class A single-stage tube (pentode circuit wired as a triode) Vari-MU mastering compressor with transistor-based side-chain amp, stepped knobs for precise timings and levels adjustment as well as a Mid-Side option of operation. But there are two main things that really set Grid Vari-MU compressor apart from other units which include unique tubes used for the unit and input level knob. This may not seem much, but it dramatically impacts the sound and feel you get with Grid compressor. The charm of the vari-mu circuit design lies in its multiple variables, from the amplifier circuit to the side-chain and detector design, and even voltage shift. These elements provide a fertile playground for crafting a compressor that stands apart in its uniqueness and excellence. Moreover, the cornerstone of Grid, much like its vari-mu siblings, or predecessors rather, Varis and Islander, is to transcend conventionality, to carve out its own niche, to produce a sound that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
At the core of Grid compressor is a novel vacuum tube, possessing unique characteristics and a remarkable 10,000-hour lifespan. This is no ordinary component, it’s an exquisitely complex device that is a relic from the dusk days of the tube era and produces an exceptionally gratifying sound. Complementing this is a suite of newly designed, high-end audio transformers, which harmonize perfectly with the tube. A completely revamped power supply unit and a redefined philosophy of output level control add to its distinct identity. The solid state side-chain circuit, a defining feature of our highly sought-after Varis and Islander flagship models, has been inherited by Grid as well. And with input level knob you just can do so much more, from simple gain management to signal saturation. As the result Grid possesses a sonic character that resonates with excellence and a compression vibe that is nothing short of stunning, allowing engineers to manage signals substantially without audible effect of the signal being compressed. That was exactly what Handcrafted Labs aimed for. It is rare that one can offer a novel design in a world of tube tech. So, Grid is a proud entrant into the Handcrafted Labs family of products, one that they believe will leave its mark in audio engineering and music production.
Handcrafted Labs Grid Mastering Compressor Specifications
- Input Impedance: 600 Оhm
- Output Impedance: 600 Оhm
- Nominal Level: +4 dBu
- Max. Level: +22 dBu
- Max. Amplification: 10 dBu
- Compressor Side Chain Filter: 75/150 Hz
- M-S Coding/decoding: Transformer
- Frequency Range: 20Hz … 20 kHz - 1dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio: -96 dB
- THD at 1kHz and +16 dB: less then 0.15%
- Power Supply: 115/230V 50-60Hz
Handcrafted Labs Grid Mastering Compressor Includes
- Handcrafted Labs Grid Mastering Compressor
- Power Cable
- Manufacturer Warranty
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