Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 Dynamics Processor

The Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 utilizes the same unique and revolutionary Modal PWM compression concept found in Brick Lane 500 that transcends traditional dynamics control methodologies through its revolutionary Modal PWM Compression architecture. Control your dynamics whilst tracking, enhance your sources, stems and mixes, or get that last bit out of your analog mastering chain - all with the feel, familiarity, and control of various vintage analog compressors. However, the concept is taken even further with Brick Lane MC4.

MONO, STEREO, MID/SIDE OPERATION

Brick Lane MC4 is designed to adapt seamlessly to a wide range of professional workflows. Each of its four dynamics channels can be configured for independent mono processing, linked stereo operation, or Mid/Side processing, allowing Brick Lane MC4 to function equally well as a tracking tool, a mix-bus processor, or a mastering dynamics unit. Stereo linking ensures coherent gain reduction across paired channels, preserving image stability when processing stereo sources or buses. Mid/Side mode provides precise control over the centre and edges of a mix, enabling targeted dynamic shaping of vocals, bass, ambience, and width without compromising mono compatibility. This flexible routing architecture allows Brick Lane MC4 to move effortlessly between corrective control, creative enhancement, and final polish.

SERIES MODE - CREATING DYNAMICS CHAINS

Brick Lane MC4’s Series mode allows two dynamics channels to be routed in series within a single signal path, enabling sequential dynamics processing without external patching. Each stage operates independently, with its own dynamics settings and Modal PWM saturation characteristics. By dividing gain reduction across two stages, Series mode enables more controlled and predictable dynamics behavior than a single processor operating aggressively. Transients can be shaped in the first stage while overall level control or tonal density is applied in the second, reducing audible artifacts and improving consistency.

POWERFUL MULTI-BAND ANALOG COMPRESSION

Brick Lane MC4’s Dual-Band mode splits a source into low- and high-frequency bands, with each band processed by its own Modal PWM dynamics channel before being recombined. The dual-band architecture is specifically optimized to minimize the unwanted artifacts and phase interaction that can be present in traditional analog multi-band compressors. Rather than applying broad, complex multi-band processing, Brick Lane MC4 focuses on a carefully controlled two-band structure, reducing crossover complexity while preserving the coherence and integrity of the original signal.

ADVANCED DE-ESSING WITH ANALOG LOOKAHEAD

Brick Lane MC4 includes a dedicated De-Esser mode built around analog lookahead dynamics control, allowing sibilance and high-frequency transients to be managed with precision and “intuition” that is difficult to achieve using conventional analog designs. By detecting problematic high-frequency content before gain reduction is applied, the dynamics engine responds predictably and smoothly, avoiding the overshoot, distortion, and pumping commonly associated with fast de-essing. This enables consistent attenuation of sibilance without dulling transients or altering the overall tonal balance of the source.

FULLY DIGITALLY-CONTROLLED WITH USB AND NETWORK OPTIONS

Brick Lane MC4 takes control to a whole new level allowing all controls of the unit to be controlled remotely via USB or an Ethernet network. Our control plugin seamlessly integrates with the Brick Lane MC4 hardware via the USB or NET ports, allowing for convenient real-time control and recall from within your DAW. It also facilitates the independent saving and loading of presets.

MODAL PWM COMPRESSION ARCHITECTURE

Each channel of Brick Lane MC4 is built around Cranborne Audio’s Modal PWM compression architecture, a digitally controlled analog dynamics system that enables multiple, fundamentally different compression behaviors within a single signal path. Modal PWM compression operates by modulating the dynamics control law, time constants, and harmonic behavior of the analog gain stage rather than simply changing ratios or thresholds.

Compression Modes:

• VELVET - Vintage Vari-Mu-style musicality with Tube-inspired harmonic compression. This compression style offers smooth, organic dynamic control with vintage tonal warmth and character.
• FLOAT - Transparent Opto-inspired dynamics with moderate transparency and gentle, wavelike compression ballistics.
• SMASH - FET-Style transient dominance with aggressive dynamic reduction, and explosive punch and sonic impact.
• TAME - Precision transient management with ultra-fast, transparent control and surgical dynamic precision.
• GLUE - Glue together all the elements of your mix with this on your master bus for gentle bus-style compression.
• POLISH - Ultimate mastering-style limiting with the cleanest, fastest analog limiter with our “Analog-Lookahead” technology.

MODAL CONTROL AND HARMONIC BEHAVIOR

The Stress control operates within the Modal PWM architecture to introduce dynamics-focused analog harmonic saturation. The STRESS behavior is defined by the selected compression mode. Rather than applying a single, static saturation circuit, Brick Lane MC4 implements six distinct multi-band analog saturation circuits, each specifically designed to operate in tandem with its corresponding Modal PWM compression behavior. These saturation circuits are dynamically linked to the gain-reduction process, allowing harmonic content to evolve with signal level, envelope, and compression activity.

ENIGMA - ADVANCED COMPRESSION CONTROL

ENIGMA provides access to deep compression parameters that are normally fixed in analog compressor designs, allowing the dynamic response of Brick Lane MC4 to be precisely tailored to the desired result. Through ENIGMA, users can directly adjust parameters such as compression knee, attack and release weighting, detector behavior, high-frequency emphasis, and more. These controls allow the compressor’s response to be shaped beyond basic threshold and ratio settings, making it possible to fine-tune how transients are captured, how gain reduction develops, and how the compressor reacts to different frequency content. For example, hardening the compression knee and adjusting attack weighting can produce a more immediate, percussive response, while altering high-frequency emphasis and detector behavior can introduce the softer, program-dependent response commonly associated with vintage compressors. These adjustments enable the same compression mode to be adapted for markedly different sources and musical objectives.

CRANBORNE AUDIO BRICK LANE MC4 FEATURES:

• 4-channels of PWM dynamics processing (compression and gate) meticulously developed by the Cranborne Audio team in the UK
• Versatile operation allows for combinations of mono, stereo, mid/side, dual-band, series, and de-essing with flexible routing configurations
• 5" full-color TFT screen and LED rings and digital encoders provides detailed visual feedback on all dynamics processing and parameters
• USB and Network control and recall via included plug-in seamlessly retrieves preferred settings, recalls previous settings, and controls your Brick Lane MC4 remotely from your DAW
• Custom PWM compression circuit and unique ‘Stress’ control for Harmonically-enriched compression effects
• "Analog Lookahead" technology for true zero-attack compression and gating
• 6 compression modes: Velvet, Float, Smash, Tame, Glue, and Polish set compression ratio, knee, compression style, and compression rate of change
• Threshold control and variable-range Attack and Release controls (altered per mode)
• 4 selectable sidechain HPF modes: OFF, 60 Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz
• ±20 dB input and output/make-up gain level to tailor the compression and saturation character to the source
• ENIGMA compression parameters to further tune compression and saturation behavior