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Inward Connections The Brute
500 Series optical limiter sends vocals straight to the front
MFR# Brute
Product Description
Love your 500 Series rack, but can't quite pull off that "high-end" vocal sound you hear in your head? Enter The Brute from Inward Connections. This 500 Series limiter is a gentle giant, adding substantial warmth and presence to your vocal. It helps bring out a breathy and airy quality while at the same time smoothing out peaks and bringing the vocal up to the front of the mix where it belongs. A monster on vocals but not to be overlooked on guitars, bass, and anywhere else an optical limiter can be of use.
- Excels at giving you an up-front vocal sound
- Inward Connections: boutique gear handmade in LA
Excels at giving you an up-front vocal sound
No frills here, just results. Send a vocal through The Brute and it'll sound like you've been working for days...or using gear many times more expensive. This optical limiter loves bringing vocals right up front in the mix, while retaining a smoothness and airiness, so you get just the right amount of squeeze. A VU meter is a nice addition for the 500 Series format, added to by a 250Hz highpass filter plus a link switch for when you can't get enough of The Brute.
Inward Connections: boutique gear handmade in LA
Initially one of LA's best-kept secrets, the word about Inward Connections has been sweeping the globe. After all, when you hear guys like Chris Lord-Alge and Eddie Kramer swearing by a brand, you know to pay attention. Dreamed up and designed by Steve Firlotte, a well-known LA tech, the Inward Connections line offers premium options for the discerning ear, all meticulously handmade in Firlotte's Los Angeles workshop.
Inward Connections The Brute features:
- 500 Series optical limiter
- Gain reduction control
- Zero adjust trim
- Output level control
- Highpass filter: 250Hz for detector circuit
- Bypass switch
- LED lighted VU meter
- VU meter output/reduction switch
- Link switch
- VF-600 all discrete legendary amp blocks
- Opto-cell reduction circuitry identical to Vac Rac tube limiter
- Balance input and output transformers
- Fits standard 500 Series slot configuration mechanically and electrically
- Powder coating in Gunmetal gray
Specifications:
- Gain Reduction: up to 40dB
- Input Impedance: >100K ohms balance
- Output Impedance: 600 ohms balance
- Frequency Response: +/- 0.5dB@20Hz to 50KHz
- Output Signal to Noise: -95dB or greater
- THD + Noise: .01%@1KHz/+4dBu
- Reserve Makeup Gain: +15dB
Product Specifications
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Tube or Solid State | Solid State |
| Channels | Single-Channel |
| Chassis | Module |
| Module Type | 500 Series |
| Module Slot Count | 1 Slot |
| Digital I/O | No |
| Compression Type | Optical |
Product Reviews
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The IC optical is almost always in my vocal chain. I have the pre "brute" version so no 250 HPL, which is ok when using it for vocals like I do.
I have an La2A as well, but often, I use this as it has a really nice finished effect when put after a FET compressor like a 1176 or sometimes a API 525.
Basically, I love it. -
Set it and forget it! Love this thing. I track vocals with it and love that it doesn't get in the way of the performance. I highly recommend this unit. You won't be disappointed.
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This guy is a must. I run my vocals and bass through it on every single mix I do. Not only does the Brute make vocal’s sound incredible, but I’ve found it pushes them to the front of the mix and helps them sit in the mix. I barely do any vocal automation now. It also adds a warmth and smoothness to whatever you send through it that you won’t find replicated by plug ins. I can’t recommend this guy enough, I chose it over a WA-2A, and I’m very satisfied with my choice (that’s not to say I don’t still want a 2A 🤤). Buy this compressor.
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For vocals this is my go-to. It sounds great and controls dynamics without getting in the way of anything. Transparent withough being too neutral.
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In the 500 series format I tried a few different units for vocals that really didn't do it for me like some of the more expensive rack gear I've had in the past. The Brute was different. Super buttery, smooth, sibilence free vocals. It sets the vocal perfectly in the mix when hit with 3-5 db of gain reduction on the peaks. For under $1,000 there's nothing that I've found that touches it.
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