The IGS Multicore Compressor & The Springtime Reverb.

IGS Audio has released a 3 band VCA Compressor called the Multicore. The unit looks very solidly built with individual controls for each band and user selectable crossover points.

From the website:

"The core of device is based on a three band, adjustable active crossover. It splits audio signal into three bands (Low, Mid and High) with a gentle slope of 6dB/oct. That allows you to control the dynamics of each band in a very musical way without phase problems. Each of the bands has its own compressor module equipped with standard controls: Threshold, Ratio, Attack Release and Gain. A very useful feature is Mute/ON/Bypass switch on each band. The "Muted" option allows you to switch off the bands. If you mute two of them, you can hear only one band and monitor its audio content and bandwidth."

IGS did a video showing how to use Multiband Compression featuring the Multicore:

Specification:

Input Impedance (balanced)      10k Ohm

Output Impedance (balanced)    50 Ohm

Audio transformers                     Carnhill VTB

Operating Level                          +4dBu

Max input level                           +28dBu

Max output level                         +28dBu

Dynamic Range                          104 dB(A)

Max Gain Reduction                   -20dB

Ratio                                           2:1, 4:1, 10:1

Attack:                                        0.1, 0.3, 1, 18, 30

Release:                                      0.1, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.6, Auto

Fequency response                     10Hz to 30kHz (+0.3dB/-0.3dB)

Signal to Noise Ratio                  90 dB(A)

THD+N                                       0.01 %

IMD (SMPTE)                            0.03 %

Crosstalk                                     88dB

Voltage                                       115V/230V (selectable)

Power consumption                   22 W

Shipping weight                        10kg



Price: 2890.00 €/$3162.09

                                         The Springtime Analog Studio Reverb

Another IGS unit that caught my eye is the Springtime Analog Studio Reverb. It is a 4 channel unit with Wet/Dry controls and a 3 band Eq on each channel.

From the website:

"The IGS Springtime is a 4-channel analog studio reverb built using pairs of springs. One short and one long pair. Every channel has separate wet and dry volume knobs. Also each channel has a 3 band EQ for the wet signal.IGS suggested using it as a stereo buss send for music tracks to channel 3 and 4 (long springs), mono vocal to channel 1 (short) plus any solo, mono instrument to channel 2 (short). Sometimes even individual instruments can be sent to both kinds of springs in parallel. If you plug it into the insert use 100% Dry and 10% Wet. On sends use 100% Wet, 0% Dry."

IGS Springtime video:

Specifications:

WET/DRY Mixer                       24-pole Elma Switches

Boost/Cut Range                      +/- 15dB

Hard wire bypass                      Yes

Input Impedance (balanced)     10k Ohm

Output Impedance (balanced)   50 Ohm

Operating Level                        +22dBU

Dynamic Range                         120dB
Headroom (@ +4dBu)               18dB

Fequency response                   20Hz-20kHz, +/-0.1dB

THD+N                                      0.001 @ 1kHz, +4dBU

VU Meters                                 Output Reverb Level

Voltage                                      90-240V AC, 10W

Shipping weight                        10kg / 20lb



Price: 2490.00 €/$2724.43


You can view my previous posts on IGS Audio including some of their 500 series products  here.

Two 500 series LA-2A style compressors from IGS Audio.

IGS Audio has announced their One LA 500 compressor for the 500 series market. The unit is a dual slot mono module with the original Teletronix audio path with tubes on both input and output. It's a simple but impressive looking unit with easily read and operated controls. The large VU meter is a definite plus. Anyone familiar with the LA-2A will be  right at home with this unit.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• 500-series double module, mono unit,
• +4dB operating level,
• the original Teletronix 68. audio path,
• tubes powered by 250V DC,
• JJ 12AX7 input and RFT 12AU7 output tubes,
• Sowter input transformer,
• Edcor output transformer,
• OEP sidechain transformer,
• T4B replaceable photocell,
• Power consumption: max 180mA per slot,
• Input impedance: 10k Ohm,
• Maximum output: +21dBU,
• Amplification: 36dB,
• Gain reduction: 36dB,
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz, +/-0.1 dB,
• Potentiometers manipulators,
• Hard wire bypass,
• Compressor/Limiter mode,
• Large VU meter,
• 3 years warranty,
• Shipping weight: 3kg.

Price: 725 EUR/$994 USD

The Photon 500 is their other LA-2A based unit;

From the website:

"The PHOTON 500 is an optical compressor, based on technology from the 60's, first used in the UREI LA-2A limiter and later in the LA4. As homage to these legendary products, we packed this technology into a 500-series module. The PHOTON 500 uses an opto-coupler, which introduces negative feedback in the audio path, taking care of gain reduction. It also has an electronically balanced input with 2520 compatible op-amp in the gain stage and a Carnhill transformer balanced output."

 FEATURES:

• Peak Reduction: controls the gain of the side-chain circuit,
• Hard wire Bypass,
• Ratio: 2:1, 4:1, 12:1,
• Sidechain Hi-Pass filter: Flat, 60, 120Hz,
• London/New York: Advanced compression curve modeling, like SLAM.
• Output: 12-pole stepped makeup gain.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• 500-series module, 
• Input impedance: 10kOhm, 
• Max input level: +24 dBu,
• Output impedance: 600Ω by Carnhill,
• Maximum Output Level: +32 dBu,
• Total Harmonic Distortion: max 0.5%,
• Frequency response: +/- 0.2 dB 8Hz to 20kHz,
• Gain: 30dB,
• HPF: Off, 60Hz, 120Hz,
• Signal to noise ratio: more than 99 dB,
• Power supply: +/- 16V,
• Power consumption: 110mA,
• Dimensions: 133x37x180mm,
• Weight: 700g,
• 3 year warranty.

Here's a quick demo of a pair of PHOTONs being used on a drum loop:

Price 525 EUR/$720 USD

IGS products can be purchased in the US at Atlas Pro Audio.

See my previous posts on IGS Audio gear here.

What do you think of this EQ from IGS Audio?

IGS Audio is working on a prototype 500 series EQ called the OKC Rubber Bands 500.

It's not the first hardware equalizer to offer recall but the one knob/touch screen approach to control of the parameters is definitely different. I will try to get some more info from IGS regarding this EQ and post it in an update. In the meantime take a look at this video:

IGS S-Type Mix Buss Compressor and Panzer 500 Power Supply

IGS Audio is a Poland based company known for making great gear just announced their brand new 500 series S-Type Buss Compressor. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on one of these units and put it to use on this project I'm currently mixing. I like the fact that all the controls are stepped which makes it very easy to do a precise recall if needed.

Features:

Stereo compressor,
Double space unit,
All stepped manipulators (exc. Mix),
London/New York modes,
Sidechain HPF,
20 points GR LED bar,
Low power consumption,
Affordable price, 495 Euro, exc. VAT. (approx. $650 USD)

If you don't already have 500 series rack consider their 10 slot Panzer 500 power supply:

The website states it is fully compliant with any 500 series modules (Output current is 420mA per slot).

Cost: 645 Euro (approx. $848 USD)

IGS Audio S-Type Mix Bus Compressor

"The S-Type is a typical VCA compressor well known as the core of the legendary British sound. The heart of the compressor is the THAT chip instead of the now unavailable DBX. The analogue path is balanced with ultra-fast A class op-amps. This is the source of completely transparent sound. A minimal level of noise allows the device to be used in recording classical music, including long range recording. The main new feature of the S-Type is the Sidechain regulation. This allows the user to select the lowest frequencies which will not be compressed and more precisely control the bass and dynamics of the mix. Overall the S-Type is a very creative device."


http://www.igsaudio.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15

Lindell Audio 17X Compressor/Limiter

The Seventeen X is a one channel transformer coupled compressor/limiter. It's a FET (field effect transistor) design that incorporate some new and exclusive features such as "High Pass Sidechain Filter", "Mix Knob" mix between dry and wet signal (parallel compression), "Signal High Pass and Low Pass Filters" smooth 6db/oct filters that colors the sound nicely.

The 17X uses the absolute best parts available: Alps pots, Carnhill Transformers, Wima Caps, Sifam Vintage VU, Original Fender Super Switches, Gold plated XLR's, etc.

The 17X is our take on the classic "1176 Sound". It can be smooth or it can be a rock'n'roll monster when using ratio 100:1 (all in). Please have listen to the sound examples below.

The 17X is a joint venture between producer Tobias Lindell (Lindell Audio, Studio Bohus) and IGS Audio.

• FET Style Compressor
• Variable Mix Control For Precise Parallel Compression
• 5 Step Switched Attack Times 20ms to 800ms
• 5 Step Switched Release Times 50ms to 0,8sec
• 5 Step Switched High Pass Sidechain Filter. Off, 100Hz, 200Hz, 300Hz, 600Hz
• 5 Step Swithced Ratio 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, 100:1
• Signal High Pass Filter 6db/Oct @ 80Hz
• Signal Low Pass Filter 6db/Oct @ 12kHz
• True Hardware Bypass
• Carnhill I/O Transformers
• Switchable Vintage Sifam Meter To Show Input-Gain Reduction-Output
• Price €2150 Euro/$3,049.13 USD