Tube-Tech SMC 2B Stereo Multi-Band Opto Compressor

The Tube-Tech SMC 2B Stereo Multiband Compressor features three independent optical stereo compressors. Combining the effect of wide 3 band level control with individual compression of the three bands creates pure magic, especially on the main mix bus, but also on submixes like drum buss, instrument groups and single tracks.

The SMC2B is one of the few audio processors, that is very hard to bypass, even after a short listening test, and it will tend to stay inserted forever because of the color and dynamics it can add to your source material. Try it for mixing, and hear the magic no other compressor can deliver! For Live use the SMC2B is adding quality and musicality to top touring acts.

As an extra bonus feature, SMC2B can also be used to solve / remove annoying frequencies in basses, vocals, etc. It can even be set up as a d-esser. SMC2B can be very effective when recording very dynamic vocalists without having to spend hours sorting out problems after the recording has been done.

The SMC 2B is one of the most creative and musical audio tools available, and an all-time favorite for countless sound engineers around the world.

IN DETAIL

Variable crossover points ensure precise control with all three bands of opto-compression. Independent band specific Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release & Gain parameters make the SMC 2B as flexible as it is accurate.

The Tube-Tech SMC 2B Stereo Multiband Compressor features three independent optical stereo compressors. The signal is divided into three bands (Low, Mid & High) by 6 dB/octave x-over networks with variable frequencies: 60-1200 Hz for Low/Mid band and 1,2-6 kHz for the Mid/High band.

The design of the x-over networks optimizes the summing of all three bands, resulting in a flat frequency response (within +/-0,25 dB), when the gain controls for each band are set at the same level. The three compressors feature Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release and Gain and a display showing gain reduction. Master levels are set with Output Gain and Balance controls.

Both Input and Output are balanced and have fully floating transformers with a static screen. The power supply and the sidechain circuit is based on a solid state circuit. With the exception of the output stage all DC voltages are stabilized.

FEATURES:

• The world’s only all-tube multiband compressor design
• Low distortion optical gain reduction elements
• Frequency response @-3 dB: 5 Hz to 60 kHz
• Low noise: <-60 dBU @10 dB gain
• CMRR: >60 dB @10 kHz
• Three bands per channel with variable crossover frequencies
• Variable threshold, ratio, attack and release for all three bands
• Master output gain: Off to +10 dB
• Balance Control (±1.5 dB)
• LED display shows compression
• Clickless In/Out relay
• Conductive plastic potentiometers
• Gain Control for each band
• Gold plated switches
• In- and outputs are transformer balanced and fully floating