Shadow Hills Industries Mastering Compressor

The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is a premium, multi-functional audio processor designed for professionals in the music and audio production industry. Developed by the engineers at the Shadow Hills Austin Research Facility, this mastering compressor is equipped with advanced technology to precisely control audio dynamics. It features dual compression sections: an Optical section with an Electroluminescent Optical Attenuator for smooth, musical gain reduction, and a Discrete section with a Voltage Controlled Amplifier for more surgical dynamic control. These sections allow for fine-tuning of audio material, ensuring the highest quality output.

Additionally, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor offers a Sidechain Filter, which prevents frequencies below 90 Hz from triggering compression, and an Output Transformer Switching Technology with options to switch between Nickel, Iron, and Steel transformers to alter the tonal characteristics of the output. The unit also includes comprehensive metering with VU meters and a Magic Eye Indicator Tube, enabling precise monitoring of output levels and gain reduction. It can operate in both dual mono and stereo modes, providing flexibility for different mixing and mastering scenarios. This compressor is built for those who demand the utmost precision and versatility in their audio processing toolkit.

COMPRESSION SECTIONS:

OPTICAL SECTION:

• Uses Electroluminescent Optical Attenuator for primary level adjustment.

• Two-stage release time for dynamic range control: 80% fast release, 20% slow.

• Controls: Optical Threshold and Optical Gain for precise attenuation and gain.

DISCRETE SECTION:

• Employs a discrete Voltage Controlled Amplifier.

• Includes Discrete Threshold, Discrete Gain, Discrete Ratio, Discrete Attack, and Discrete Recovery controls.

• Six-position Discrete Ratio Switch offers compression ratios from 1.2:1 to 20:1.

• Adjustable Discrete Attack for transient retention and Discrete Recovery for signal return timing.

SIDECHAIN FILTER:

• Filters out frequencies below 90 Hz from triggering compression in both Optical and Discrete sections.

OUTPUT TRANSFORMER SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY:

Offers three transformer settings for varied frequency response and distortion

• Nickel: Low distortion, enhanced high frequencies with a 10 kHz boost.

• Iron: Colored sound with a 100 Hz boost.

• Steel: Most colored sound with a 40 Hz boost, adding tight cue response.

INDICATION METERING:

• Features two medium-sized VU meters and a Magic Eye Indicator Tube.

• Meters can display Optical Gain Reduction, Discrete Gain Reduction, or Output Level.

• Meter Select Switch allows independent meter settings for Stereo operation.

STEREO OPERATION:

• Operates in either Dual Mono or Stereo mode.

• In Stereo, left-hand controls manage all compressor features, except the Meter Select Switch.

GENERAL:

• Type:

:

Analog mastering compressor

• Channel Configuration: Dual mono, stereo, or mid-side processing

• Format: 3U 19" rack-mountable unit

COMPRESSORS:

Two stages of compression

• Optical Compressor: Gain reduction based on light-dependent resistors

• Discrete VCA Compressor: Voltage-controlled amplifier for dynamic range control

CONTROLS:

• Threshold: Separate controls for Optical and Discrete sections

• Ratio: Switchable, varies per section (Optical: 2:1, 4:1; VCA: 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1)

• Attack: Separate controls for each section, adjustable

• Release: Separate controls for each section, adjustable

• Makeup Gain: Separate for Optical and Discrete sections

• Transformer Selection: 3 switchable settings (Nickel, Iron, Steel) for tone shaping

METERING:

• Metering Type: Analog VU meters

• Metering Function: Gain reduction, output level

CONNECTIVITY:

• Input: XLR (balanced)

• Output: XLR (balanced)

POWER:

• Power Supply: External power supply unit (Not Included)

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

• Bypass: True bypass for each section

• Sidechain: External sidechain insert points

DIMENSIONS:

• 3U

• Height: 5.25 inches (13.34 cm)

• Width: 19 inches (48.26 cm)

• Depth: 13.75 inches (34.93 cm)

WEIGHT:

• Unit Weight: Approximately 23 lbs (10.4 kg)