XQP 545 Optical Disrupter

The 545 Optical Disrupter is an unusual compressor from the guys at XQP
"which creates an asymmetrical waveform as it compresses. It creates second-order harmonic distortion without clipping the signal..."


I can definitely see myself using this on individual sounds and drum loops.


Check out the video (examples of the 545 being applied occurs at 2:38)

$399 at XQP

"Crunk It" Gigi Barocco Vs. Jane Bang (extended version official video)

After almost two years of teaser tracks available over the internet, Jane Bang has finally released her first single "Crunk It" vs Gigi Barocco, under the Zooland Records Label. The song and official remix covers are available on iTunes and Beatport. The Music video for "Crunk It" was executive produced by Jay Schweid for VIC-ART (VIC-ART.com) along side Cross Street Productions Inc. and directed by Gianluca Fellini. Lead makeup was executed by Natalia Ramirez and lead hair was Joseph DiMaggio. The video was sponsored by Creep Street, Neff Headwear, Married to the Mob, Logan Neitzel, Enter Pronoun, Jump Shoes, Two In the Shirt, Bolt Cutter, Epitaph Collection Jewelry and Skull Candy.

Jane Bang is a provocative rapper with strong sex appeal and no censor button. With some select teaser tracks available through Myspace and the hype machine, Jane has built an uncanny following over the Internet practically overnight. She made her first entrance with the song "Untame", which depicts her racy beats with playful, biting dialogue -- which was accompanied with the music video. Staying true to her Brooklyn roots with old school rhyming techniques, she infuses beats from European influenced electro. Progressing from "Untame," Jane has finally released her first official single, with an entire album due to be released before years end. "Crunk It" features official remix covers by Dirty Disco Youth, Tom Deluxx and Symone. Jane embodies a femme take on edgy street style and is managed by 5 time Grammy winner Carlisle Young.

Old World Audio U33A Vari-Mu

The U33A tube compressor from Old World Audio "is a cross between an Altec 436, EMI RS124, Universal Audio175B and a Fairchild 670. Running channel A into channel B will yield some very interesting pumping and breathing effects". In Stereo mode it works exceptionally well on the 2-buss of a mix.
The controls consist of INPUT LEVEL, OUTPUT LEVEL, THRESHOLD, RELEASE and ATTACK. The threshold determines the compression ratio (turning the threshold clockwise increases the compression ratio). There are also VU MODE and MONO-STEREO switches.

The VU MODE selects between BAL which shows the relative balance of the tubes (nice feature). Normal operation shows no reading. A negative or positive reading implies tube replacement or re-balancing. COMPRESS shows the amount of gain reduction and OUTPUT shows the output level of the unit.

In stereo link mode only the ATTACK and RELEASE are linked (CH A controls are used. CH B is inactive). A 1k test tone is highly recommended to set the INPUT, OUTPUT and THRESHOLD controls so as not to alter your stereo image and balance.

SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency Response +0/-1 dB 10 Hz- 50 kHz.

Distortion @1 kHz 0.04% +10 Output Level.

Noise A Weighted -90 dB ref from +10 dB Output Level

Maximum Gain 30 dB

Attack Time (variable) 200 microseconds to 47 milliseconds (charging time)

Release Time (variable) 0.08- 1.5 seconds

Compression Ratio Variable 0 to 16:1 typ.

Input Impedance 1 K Transformer Balanced.

Output Impedance 600 Ohms Transformer Balanced.

Output Attenuator range 20 dB

Maximum Output +26 dBu into 600 Ohm load.

Supply voltage 110-130 Volta Ac, 50-60 Hz 60 VA.

Fuse 1 Amp, Time Delay, 5x20 mm.

Size 19” W x 7” (4U) x 14.5” D

The U33A is completely hand built and made to order,

$3450 at Old World Audio.

Good Morning!

PRAGUENOSIS! is one of my favorite instrumental albums.

"In the fall of 2007, uber-producer Salaam Remi journeyed to Prague to record an album and left with a masterpiece...."
Listen here.