Applied Research and Technology (ART) is now offering its Twin Compressor System (TCS) 2-channel compressor. Both an opto-isolator compressor and VCA compressor are featured; users can select one of the compressor styles or combine the two depending on need.
The unit also features a 16-position knob, which allows the user to select from several preset compression configurations. The TCS also allows for full manual control of all settings, such as attack and release. Housed in a 1U-space design, it can be used directly with instruments or with material captured by microphones, and is suitable for both studio and live performance uses.
TCS front-panel controls for each channel include attack, release, threshold, ratio, noise-reduction threshold, variable noise-reduction shelf EQ, preset encoder, straight-wire bypass, tube control for selectable tube harmonics and output level.
The two independent TCS channels can be linked and adjusted with the available global controls. When linked, one level control acts as a balance control for true stereo operation. For use with instruments such as guitar or electric bass, the TCS features a front-panel 1/4-inch instrument input jack and rotary gain control.
The TCS has an MSRP of $299, and will be shipping in December 2003.
ART also announced that the new DPS II Digital Preamp System is now shipping. The DPS II is a 2-channel preamplifier for both microphones and instruments. In addition to analog outputs, the DPS II has digital connectivity in multiple formats for linking to digital processors and digital recording devices.
Features of the DPS II include an impedance control for each channel, which allows the user to adjust the input impedance from 150 ohms to 3k ohms; rear-panel, 1/4-inch line inputs; automatic input switching; torroidal transformer provides lower noise levels; six LEDs located just above each analog meter monitor the peak levels of the input section and guide the user such that input section clipping is visibly apparent; enhanced “warm” settings, which overload much smoother and provide a big boost in gain for an improved “tube” sound; and Output Protection Limiting (OPL) circuitry enhancements.
The DPS II has an MSRP of $319.
Also shipping from ART is its Digital MPA Tube Preamplifier, which is a high-quality, 2-channel preamplifier for both microphones and instruments, and offers variable input impedance for flexible microphone voicing. In addition to analog outputs, the Digital MPA has digital connectivity in multiple formats for linking to digital processors and digital recording devices.
The Digital MPA has a light champagne-colored front panel and matching knobs; switch cap LED colors glow orange for analog functions and blue for digital functions.
Features include selectable plate voltage; large VU meters with user-accessible meter trim; metering of output level and tube warmth; improved discrete Class-A input microphone preamplifier; wider frequency response, lower THD and noise levels based on previous ART models; front-accessible instrument input jack; instrument jacks features high input impedance; and input automatically switches to the instrument jack when it’s used.
The Digital MPA digital interface offers these features: 24-204k Hz external sample rate; 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/196k internal sample rates; 24/16-bit switchable dithering; wide dynamic range A/D, less than 118 dB (A weighted @ 24-bit); rotary encoder for quick selection of sample rate and output format; separate analog and digital output level controls; digital level LED meters with peak hold; ADAT optical I/O; sync to incoming ADAT data rate; switch-selectable optical output (S/PDIF or ADAT); selectable pro/consumer output format; AES/EBU output on cannon connector; and two Word Clock jacks allowing loop-through.
The Digital MPA has an MSRP of $749.
For more, visit www.artproaudio.com.
