For some 1 shade of grey is more than enough.

Grey is considered by many to be a color that signifies quality, professionalism and serious intent. AML's 54F50 Compressor/Limiter seems to support this belief. AML (Audio Maintenance Limited) is a UK based company that sells electronic parts, hardware kits and high end gear. In 2011 they announced the 54F50 Compressor/Limiter, which appears to be their version of the highly revered Neve 2254 Compressor. Combined with their Class A Mic/Line Preamp/EQ it would make a formidable signal chain for recording/mixing. 

The 54F50 is not available as a kit. (See video of a pair of  54F50s at bottom of this post).

From the website:

"The 54F50 is a Class A, compressor and limiter module which occupies three slots in a 500 series rack. Fully populated with Carnhill transformers to achieve its distinctive classic sound. This high-end hand-built British module provides an affordable solution for the modern cost conscious studio."

FEATURES:

• Classic 4 stage (Class A) amplifier, 4 transformer design
• All discrete component (no surface mount devices)
• Entirely hand assembled and tested in the England to exacting quality standards.
• Line Input: Carnhill transformer balanced (Mu-metal screened Classic VTB9046), 10k Input Impedance
• Interstage: Carnhill Mu-metal screened Classic VTB9045 and VTB9046
• Line Output: Carnhill transformer balanced (Classic full size output transformer)
• Compressor: (Class A) amplifier design
• Ratio 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 & 6:1
• Dual attack speeds (Fast = 5mS, Slow = 25mS) * (see below for optional settings)
• Make-up gain 0dB to 20dB in 2dB steps
• Recovery (release) 400mS, 800mS, 1.6S & Auto
• Threshold –20dBu to +10dBu
• Limiter: (Class A) amplifier design
• Dual attack speeds (Fast = 100uS, Slow = 5mS) *
• Recovery (release) 100mS, 200mS, 800mS & Auto
• Threshold +4dBu to +12dBu (in 1dB steps)
• Stereo link via either the backplane edge connector, an XLR or both
• Illuminated meter selectable for input, output or gain reduction metering.
• Power off signal bypass
• Entirely stainless steel chassis.
• Total current consumption 150mA (per unit)
• Also available supplied as a pair in a box containing a “mono/stereo” switch

*Compressor “Fast” may be internally jumper selected to 0.5mS

 Compressor “Slow” may be internally jumper selected to 50mS

  Limiter “Fast” may be internally jumper selected to 1mS

  Limiter “Slow” may be internally jumper selected to 25mS)

Video featuring AML 54F50:

Price: $1606.93 at Vintage King Audio

AML ez1073-500

The AML ez1073-500 is AML's homage to the venerable Neve 1073 which is one of the most revered MicPre/Equalizers in the world of sonics. 

"The ez1073-500 is a Class A, mic pre-amp, line amp and EQ/Filter module which occupies two slots in a 500 series rack. Fully populated with Carnhill transformers and inductors to achieve its distinctive classic sound, this high-end hand-built British module provides an affordable solution for the modern cost conscious studio."

Here's are some excerpts from a TapeOp review:

"....The transformers and inductors are all Carnhills, including separate mic and line input transformers just like the original Neve modules, as well as the huge 1166-style output transformer..... and completely separate mic and line inputs, which is an important part of the design of a real 1073 as well as most other 1080-series Neve modules."

"...Upon receiving the unit, Daniel Schlett and myself threw it directly into our Purple Audio Sweet Ten rack and gave it a listen against our Neve 1070L, 1064, and 1081 preamp/EQs, as well as a pair of Avedis 1064 units (the prototype for the BAE 1023) and a Vintech 273. The Neve modules themselves are a bit different sounding, with the 1070L having the most bottom end, which I believe puts them closest to a 1073. While doing blind tests didn't bring out any clear favorites, we found the ez1073-500 to be indistinguishable from our Neve 1070Ls. It was far closer in sound than even our Neve 1064s, which was a shock to say the least..."

"...I noticed that the mic preamp section of the unit was massive, just like a real Neve. I ended up using the low-cut to clean up some unnecessary subs but also used the low-frequency boost to keep the guitars heavy and thick. When it came time to cut the solo, the fixed high-shelf was perfect for taming the harsh top-end coming out of our Fender Dual Showman. I would definitely recommend this piece to anyone in the market for a Neve clone. I shouldn't even call it a clone. This thing is real!"

Read the entire review here.

Features:

• Classic 3 stage (Class A) amplifier design
• All discrete component (no surface mount devices)
• Entirely hand assembled and tested in the England to exacting quality standards
• Mic Input: Carnhill transformer balanced (Classic VTB9045) +10dB to +65dB gain, rotary switchable in 5dB steps and switchable 300/1200 Ohm impedance input
• Line Input: Carnhill transformer balanced (Classic VTB9046) - 20dB to +20dB, rotary switchable in 4dB steps (centre 0dB), 10k Input Impedance
• Line Output: Carnhill transformer balanced (Classic full size output transformer)
• EQ/Filter Stage: 3 inductor (Class A) amplifier design
• HF (12kHz) +/- 16dB gain continuously variable
• MF (switchable; 360Hz, 700Hz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz & 7.2kHz) +/- 16dB gain continuously variable
• LF (switchable; 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz & 220Hz) +/- 16dB gain continuously variable
• Low Pass Filter (switchable; 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz & 300Hz) -18dB per Octave
• Phantom and polarity switches
• The XLR behind the left hand side is the Mic Input
• The XLR behind the right hand side is the Line Input
• The output is duplicated on both of the output XLRs
• Stainless steel chassis
• Total current consumption 110mA (per unit)
• For use in API (and compatible) Lunchbox and VPR500 racking systems

Here's a video by AML of a guitar recording (acoustic and D.I.), Bass (D.I.) and Analog Synth:

Female vocal being processed with the ez1073-500:

The ez1073-500 being used on a pre-recorded track:




The AML ez1073-500 is $1125.00 at VintageKing Audio.


AML (Audio Maintenance Limited)