Buzz Audio

Quite simply, there is no other recording channel strip on the planet that has the versatility of the ARC-1.1. What you have here is a mic/line preamp, parametric equalizer and compressor/limiter that can be used in conjuction as a recording channel or, accessed as completely separate elements. The ARC is not just one piece of kit but multiple pieces bundled into one chassis with a clever relay routing system so you can assign each element to the main signal path or to externally accessed I/O.

The most well known audio compressor that uses a diode bridge as the gain reduction element would have to be the Neve 2254. This is not a copy of that unit - but it is the inspiration for the DBC-20 design. The audio path features our Class A discrete BE41 amplifiers in a balanced configuration throughout, and for extra colour, we have a custom "radio steel" laminated transformer coupling into the diode bridge. This combination produces a vintage character that can best be described as tight, colourful and rich with harmonics!

The most well known audio compressor that uses a diode bridge as the gain reduction element would have to be the Neve 2254. This is not a copy of that unit - but it is the inspiration for the DBC-20 design. The audio path features our Class A discrete BE41 amplifiers in a balanced configuration throughout, and for extra colour, we have a custom "radio steel" laminated transformer coupling into the diode bridge. This combination produces a vintage character that can best be described as tight, colourful and rich with harmonics!

All discrete signal path using our class-a BE40 amplifiers at the input and BE50 high current line drivers to excite the Lundahl LL1517 output transformer. The topology is quite different to most other mic preamps in that it is balanced from input to output. The instrument input features our BE43 "bootstrapped FET" high impedance interface that really pumps as a bass DI.

The Essence attack & release settings have been carefully selected for a varied dynamic palette and the intelligent auto modes allow for really smooth "set and forget" operation. But unlike the slow LA designs, this compressor can also be fast! The soft knee opto action is perfect for smoothing the dynamics of vocals and a stereo pair will find immediate use to glue together stems, synths and the mix buss.

Designed to provide transparent amplification to reveal the true source, they do not come any better than this. If you wish to record your sounds with the utmost warmth and clarity possible, you have found the tool for the job.

So what makes it sound so good? The audio input feeds directly into our BE41 Class A discrete amplifiers via high end Wima coupling capacitors for the ultimate in clarity and low noise. High current line drivers then excite the Lundahl LL1517 output transformer, which adds a subtle warmth to the sound. The topology is quite different to other mic preamps in that it is balanced throughout. This helps provide the very high headroom specification for an effortless sound and punch. The high impedance inputs feature our BE43 bootstrapped FET amplifiers, perfectly matching your pickups and synths into this gutsy signal path.

The REQ-2.2 equalizer utilises parallel resonant circuits in a clever configuration whereby the bandwidth (Q) of the circuit can be adjusted like an active filter, but without any complex relay switching. The inductor/capacitor resonant "tank" eq circuit runs at a low internal signal level which avoids any inductor saturation effects. The overall result is the sound of real choke based filters with a big open sound, but without the limitation of only a few - or no bandwidth selections as found on traditional choke eq's.

Buzz Audio REQ-2.2ME Mastering Version mit +/- 8dB boost/cut mit 23-stufigen Drehschaltern von ELMA.

The use of Light Dependant Resistors (LDR) as the control element of an audio compressor was pioneered in the 1960's and we are all aware of the value placed on those famous vintage LA2A and LA3A units.

The main signal path of the SOC-20 compressor (including the mid/side processor) is made using our proprietary BE41 discrete class A amplifier with a Lundahl LL1517 transformer at the output. A special low impedance power supply design is used to enhance the sound quality of the BE41 amplifiers. The overall combination provides a sound character that is generally described by our users as "desireable"!

As with the other 500 Series modules in this range, the tonic signal path uses our True Class A BE41 amplifiers followed by a BE50 buffer to excite the Lundahl output transformer. The resulting sound is big and open with a nice touch of transformer color. The design allows for +26dB headroom so major boosts at low frequencies are not a problem with the tonic - it always sounds huge!