Tube-Tech SMC2BM Mastering Compressor

The Tube-Tech SMC2BM Mastering Compressor brings the musical depth and flexibility of Tube-Tech's renowned multiband tube compression into a mastering-focused design built for precise, repeatable settings.

With three independent optical stereo compressors working across low, mid, and high frequency bands, the SMC2BM gives mastering engineers detailed control over dynamics while preserving the smooth, dimensional character that has made the SMC series a studio favorite. Precision stepped controls and carefully selected resistor networks make it especially well suited for critical mastering work where accurate recall matters just as much as sound. The SMC2BM divides the stereo signal into three frequency bands using carefully designed crossover networks, allowing each band to be compressed independently with its own threshold, ratio, attack, release, and gain controls. Selectable crossover points let you determine exactly where the low, mid, and high bands interact, making it possible to control excessive low-frequency energy, tame an aggressive midrange, smooth a bright top end, or shape the overall dynamics of a mix without applying the same amount of compression across the entire frequency spectrum. Unlike the standard SMC2B, the SMC2BM is optimized specifically for mastering applications. Its audio controls use high-quality switches with precision resistors for improved setting accuracy and recall, while the gain controls provide 1 dB stepped adjustment. Transformer-balanced, fully floating inputs and outputs combine with an all-tube audio path and optical gain reduction to deliver the rich, open character Tube-Tech is known for while maintaining the control required for professional stereo mastering.

Tube-Tech SMC2BM Mastering Compressor Features

• Three-band stereo multiband compressor designed for professional mastering
• Three independent optical stereo compressors for low, mid, and high frequency bands
• All-tube multiband compressor design
• Selectable crossover frequencies for precise control of each compression band
• Independent threshold, ratio, attack, release, and gain controls for all three bands
• High-quality switched controls with precision resistors for accurate settings and recall
• 12-position gold-plated gain switches with 1 dB steps
• 31-detent threshold, ratio, attack, release, and balance controls
• Individual LED gain reduction displays for each compression band
• Master output gain control for final level adjustment
• Balance control for fine-tuning left/right output level
• Low-distortion optical gain reduction elements
• Clickless relay-based compressor bypass
• Transformer-balanced, fully floating inputs and outputs
• Crossover design optimized for accurate summing of all three frequency bands

Tube-Tech SMC2BM Mastering Compressor Specifications

• Impedance
  • Input: 2 kOhm
  • Output: <60 Ohm
• Frequency response: @ -3dB 5 Hz to 50 kHz
• Distortion THD+N @ 40Hz
  • 0 dBU 0.15 %
  • +10 dBU 0.15 %
  • Max. output: +26 dBU <1 %
  • Max. input: +21 dBU <1 %
• Noise Rg=200 Ohm
  • 22 Hz-22 kHz: Output Gain @0 dB < -75 dBU, Output Gain @+10 dB < -65 dBU
  • CCIR-468-4: Output Gain @+0 dB < -65 dBU, Output Gain @+10 dB < -55 dBU
• Cross talk @ 10 kHz: < - 40 dB
• CMMR @ 10 kHz: < - 60 dB
• Gain (1 dB steps)
  • Master: -1 to +10 dB
  • Low-, Mid-, High band: -1 to +10 dB
  • Tracking between channels: <0.1 dB
• X-over frequencies
  • Low & Mid band: x1 - 60 to 300 Hz, X4 - 0.24 to 1.2 kHz
  • Mid & High band: x1 - 1.2 to 6 kHz
• X-over frequencies
  • Low & Mid band
    • 60,100,150,200,250,300 Hz
    • 0.24, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 1, 1,2 kHz
  • Mid & High band: 1.2, 2, 3.2, 4, 6 kHz
• Compressor
  • Ratio: 1.5:1 to 10:1
  • Threshold: off to -20 dBU
  • Attack: 3 ms to 200 ms
  • Release: 60 ms to 2 s
• Tubes
  • ECC 81: 4 pc
  • ECC 82: 2 pc
  • ECC 83: 2 pc
• Dimensions
  • Height: 3 units, 132 mm 5.2"
  • Width: 483 mm 19.0"
  • Depth: 205 mm 8.1â?
• Weight
  • Net: 6.2 kg 12.7 lbs
  • Shipping: 7.5 kg 16.5 lbs
• Power Requirements
  • @ 115 V/230 V, 50-60 Hz: 35-50 W

Tube-Tech SMC2BM Mastering Compressor Includes

• Tube-Tech SMC2BM Mastering Compressor
• Power Cable
• Documentation
• Manufacturer Warranty