Summit compression is known for its musical sound. They’ve designed their hybrid, soft-knee, tube compressors to be especially responsive to the incoming signal - a true program dependent compressor!
The hybrid tube/solid state DCL-200 dual channel compressor/limiter is a mainstay of both the live sound and studio environments and has helped shape the sound of countless concerts and albums. Versatile and extremely musical sounding, the DCL-200 uses a soft-knee and program dependent transition characteristic, dual true VU meters, and totally variable controls to deliver the unprecedented sound quality of Summit Audio that is far from sterile without being muddy or pinched.
Summit Audio DCL-200 Features :
- Continuously variable attack and release times
- Adjustable threshold
- Variable slope (ratio)
- Output gain control
- Soft-knee transition characteristic
- Stereo link switch
- Dual true VU meters
- Side chain insert
- Bypass switch
- Hand crafted in the USA
- Backed by Summit Audio's 3 Year Warranty
Rich, complex, studio sound. Robust, road worthy, tour-tested strength. The Summit Audio DCL-200 dual channel compressor/limiter personifies that grab-your-attention sound that only the very, very best quality tube compressor can give you. Based on a hybrid design, the DCL-200 combines the most desirable sonic characteristics of vacuum tubes with the airy top-end of solid state devices. DCL-200 circuitry incorporates selected 12AX7A vacuum tubes with high reliability custom-made 990 op-amps in a transformerless signal path, giving you an incredibly clean, precise sound, with the overtones and warmth of tube technology.
A mainstay of both the live sound and studio environments, the DCL-200 has helped shape the sound of countless concerts and albums with its crisp yet smooth high frequency response and the sweet low-mid and low tones you get from vacuum tubes. The DCL-200 is an extremely versatile and musical sounding compressor, a go-to piece for tracking, mixing, and mastering. The compression curve and soft knee lets the DCL-200 enhance your audio in a way that is far from sterile without ever sounding muddy or pinched.
DCL-200 Basic Operating Instructions :
Tracking, live sound, mixing:
For tracking, plug the output of the microphone preamp into the input of the DCL-200 or use the insert jack on the preamp. For more of the DCL-200 sound, turn down the output on the preamp and use more of the make-up gain on the DCL-200. When mixing with the DCL-200 in the studio or for live sound, insert the DCL-200 on the main inserts or after the master output, or use on the inserts on individual channels for compressing single instruments.
Compressing a stereo mix:
Plug the DCL-200 into the main inserts of your mixing console or from the master outputs. Set the DCL-200 into Link mode to run in stereo. The AC Threshold, Slope, Attack, and Release controls on channel one (the top channel) will operate both channels. The bypass switches, meter switches, and the gain controls will need to be set for each side.
De-essing or other frequency-dependent compressing:
Plug a TRS insert cable into the side chain jack on the back of the DCL-200. Plug the send (tip) of the insert cable to the input of an EQ, and the return (ring) of the cable to the EQ output. Boost the frequencies on the EQ that you want to compress (de-ess).
Ducking:
Send the output of the "lead" program material into the side chain input after inserting the DCL-200 on the "background" program material.
Example: Send a secondary output of a vocal mic into the side chain, with the DCL-200 inserted on the over-all music track. As the singer uses the vocal mic, the music will decrease in amplitude. This is perfect for broadcast use when the DJ needs to speak over music, or a lead guitar plays a solo over the rhythm track in mixing.
The History of Summit Audio :
Summit Audio began their foray into the professional audio world in 1979. A few years later, Summit Audio released the original TLA-100 tube leveler that would later evolve into the highly sought after TLA-100A, still manufactured today unchanged after twenty years, and whose signature sound has graced countless songs and albums to date.
Now a real force in the audio world, Summit Audio's foundation of high value, no compromise products with intense testing and unparalleled commitment to its customers needs is the perfect launching pad for a bright future of innovative and interesting products, all with a commitment to excellence and a passion for creating inspirational audio products.
As Summit evolves with the dynamic world of professional audio, they still stick to their basic traditions of solid reliability, precise manufacturing and integrity in everything they do.
Each Summit Audio product is crafted, manufactured and tested exclusively in the United States to the most exacting standards, utilizing human ears in addition to the best available test equipment along with years of combined experience and customer input.
Having built a reputation upon superb and reliable products, professionals worldwide trust Summit Audio for their critical studio applications.
