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For decades, the name EMI has been synonymous with some of the most iconic recordings in history, from The Beatles to Pink Floyd. The EMI TG12413 limiters, found on the legendary TG12345 consoles at Abbey Road, were instrumental in shaping the sound of countless hit records.
Unfortunately, those vintage designs can be hard to find and often carry a hefty price tag. Thankfully, Chandler Limited has stepped up to fill the void with authentic recreations of classic EMI studio gear. One of the brand’s most popular vintage-inspired products is the EMI TG Opto Compressor.
In this edition of Hear The Gear, engineer Bryan Reilly put the TG Opto compressor through its paces at the Scramble Shack, tracking everything from drums to vocals to guitars. Let’s dive into the results.
The Chandler Limited EMI TG Opto is a two-space 500 Series mono compressor based on the legendary TG12345 mixing and mastering consoles that defined Abbey Road's sound. As the only company authorized to develop official EMI/Abbey Road equipment, Chandler Limited has nailed both the classic tone and technical precision of the original units.
The TG Opto features continuous controls for Input, Output (makeup gain), Attack, and Release, making it easy to fine-tune the compression to any source. The true bypass switch ensures your signal path remains pure when the effect is disengaged.
However, the key to the TG Opto's versatility is its selectable knee. The sharp knee setting delivers aggressive, grabby compression, while the rounded knee setting offers a gentler, more musical compression that smooths out transients without sounding obvious. This dual-type design makes the TG Opto a true studio workhorse, capable of everything from subtle leveling to aggressive limiting.
Built with the same handmade, fully discrete construction that defines all Chandler Limited products, the TG Opto delivers the warmth and character of vintage analog processing with modern reliability.
For this Hear The Gear session, Bryan Reilly recorded a wide array of sources through the Chandler Limited EMI TG Opto compressor. All tracks were captured with no additional EQ or compression, giving you a pure listen into the character of this classic compressor. Below, you’ll find the specific settings used for each instrument.
A general-purpose drum bus setting using the rounded knee for cohesive, musical glue. The slow attack (11) and fast release (1) allow the drum transients to punch through before the compression engages, smoothing out the rest of the kit naturally. Bryan used these same settings on three different grooves to demonstrate the compressor's versatility in gluing tracks together.
In addition to traditional compression techniques, Byran also tried the classic parallel compression trick on the rock drums. He drove the input hard with a sharp knee and a medium release (4) to create a smashed, hyper-compressed version of the kit. The slow attack (9) lets the transient through before clamping down.
Bryan tried out the TG Opto compressor on two different bass tracks to hear how it would handle different styles. For the Motown-inspired performance, Bryan used the rounded knee setting to smooth out the dynamics of a punchy P Bass. The medium-slow attack (7) preserves the initial attack, while the medium release (5) provides a musical and warm compression tail.
For the brighter Jazz Bass recording, Bryan switched to the sharp knee. The slow attack (10) lets the full weight of the note through, while the fast release (2) provides a tight, focused compression that locks in the low end.
On electric guitar, the TG Opto's rounded knee setting provided smooth compression that enhanced sustain without killing the natural amp dynamics. The very slow attack (11) preserves the guitar's natural transients.
For the more delicate nylon string acoustic, Bryan returned to the rounded knee setting with gentle compression that preserved the instrument's natural warmth and dynamics. The very slow attack (11) allows the instrument’s natural attack to shine through while the fast release (1) prevents the compressor from interfering with the natural decay.
The steel string acoustic showcases the sharp knee setting's ability to enhance the percussive attack of acoustic instruments. The medium-slow attack catches some of the initial pick transient while allowing plenty of character through, and the fast release maintains the natural resonance of the guitar body.
Using the rounded knee with moderate input gain, the compressor smooths out the dynamic range while preserving the natural attack and decay that make the piano so expressive. The very slow attack (11) lets the percussive attack of the piano through, while the fast release (1) allows for natural sustain and decay.
For male vocals, the TG Opto's rounded knee setting provides smooth, transparent compression that controls dynamics without introducing unwanted artifacts. The medium-slow attack (7) setting catches peaks while preserving vocal clarity, and the fast release (2) maintains natural phrasing and breathing.
For female vocals, using a medium-fast attack setting (5) with the rounded knee provides gentle control that catches peaks quickly while enhancing presence without harshness. The fast release (1) ensures the compression doesn't interfere with natural vocal phrasing.
The Chandler Limited EMI TG Opto Compressor delivers everything you’d expect from the TG lineage: warmth, character, and musicality. Whether used subtly to smooth out vocals and bass or pushed harder for aggressive drum parallel compression, it adapts seamlessly across nearly any sound source.
With its choice of sharp or rounded knee, the TG Opto offers both vintage-inspired smoothness and modern punch, making it a versatile tool for any engineer looking to bring the spirit of EMI Abbey Road into a modern 500 Series rack.
