Used Dynamics Compressors, Limiters, & Gates

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» Used / Vintage Dynamics

Used / Vintage Dynamics

When you are in the market for sonic color, the used/vintage dynamics page
should be your first stop at Sonic Circus. There, you will find a revolving selection
of some of the most desirable pro audio compressors, limiters, and gates. Some
are truly vintage, and some are pre-owned units that are looking forward to a new
life in your studio. Some of our engineering heroes suggest that new sonic
coloration can be had by just passing a signal through a compressor - nothing
more! Hereʼs your chance to give it a try.

API 2500 Discrete 2 Channel Stereo Buss Compressor(Used)

One of the most polytrophic compressors in existence. This used stereo/dual mono 2500 lets you choose between 'old' and 'new' -style compression characteristics. It also employs API's proprietary 'thrust' function for enhanced low end and features the extremely handy auto-makeup gain, which maintains a constant output level, regardless of threshold and ratio settings. All this in addition to standard comp/limiter features and the sought-after 'API sound.'

Price: $2,675.00

EAR 660 Limiting Amp (Used)

Fairchild Type Single Channel Valve Limiter/Compressor It has both the model-number and the soul of the classic Fairchild 660, but this mono limiter/compressor by EAR is no knock-off. Significant improvements in noise, clarity and transparency make it one of the finest devices in pro audio. The 660 is hand-built in Cambridgeshire, England to the very highest standards.

Price: $5,500.00

Flickinger 226-9 Limiter (Vintage)

Custom Made Fairchild 660 by Studio Legend Dan Flickinger Daniel Fickinger custom built the 226-9 as a clone of the Ultra Famous Fairchild 660. Of the Six units known to have been built two reside in Golden Gate Records in San Francisco, Famed musician Lenny Kravitz is reported to own one, and there is this unit. This unit has an amazing pedigree as it was at the RECORD PLANT in Susalito California for many years. The Flickinger 226-9 is exactly like the Fairchild 660 in every respect but touted as being a bit more stable. Same UTC Massive Transformers and same tubes.

Price: $15,000.00

DBX 165 Mono VU Compressor (Vintage)

1970’s Solid State VCA with RMS control In the 1970’s after the DBX 160 David Blackmere released the DBX 165 and the Over Easy circuit was introduced to the DBX compressor line. This ''Soft Knee'' compression curve allows the input source to begin more gradually, and creates smoothness. There is also a bypass feature that bypasses the variable attack and release and sets the unit into auto mode. It is a (VCA) coupled compressor with a RMS based detection and control circuit.

Price: $1,350.00

DBX 160 VU Racked Pair (Vintage)

VCA Compressor Limiters 1976 The Father of VCA and RMS based noise reduction and compression David Blackmer founded dbx in 1971. His contribution to recording can be heard on most every record throughout the 70’s even up to the turn of the century.
Blackmer based his product concept of using decibel expansion (hence the name "dbx") to replace the peaks lost from the limited dynamic range of magnetic tape. His OEM VCA and RMS designs were used in the top large format mixing consoles like the Neve VR series.

The DBX 160VU was the first commercially available DBX pro compressor. The unit has a balanced differential input with a simple set of of control functions. It produces a distinctive pillowy roundness that works great on blowing up kick, bass and snare. RMS Level Detection with feed forward gain reduction get you well beyond normal compressor ratios variably into the one dubbed infinity (120:1) without creating distortion. The attack and release are auto so it is a set it and forget it style piece that will get you back to 1976 and to “Infinity and Beyond”

Controls are: Threshold (with lights indicating above and below threshold value); Compression ratio from 1:1 to Infinity:1; Output Gain from -20 to +20 db attenuation; and three meter settings for input, output, and gain change.

Price: $2,200.00

Tube Tech CL-1B Mono Opto Tube Compressor

Classic Single Channel Opto-Cell Compressor with Tube Amplifier.

Price: $3,190.00

Teletronix LA2A Tube Opto Compressor/Limiter (Vintage)

Rev 2 Silverface 1968 This vintage LA2A’s combination of electro-optical compression, transformers and tube amplification make it one of ''THE'' all time classic compressors. It can be used subtlety for smoothness and warmth or you can drive the tube amps output stage to add harmonic artifacts and Mojo.

It is a discrete point to point wired compressor. Teletronix invented and patented the electro-optical attenuator. The HA-100X input transformer feeds the T4 Attenuator before the first amplifier gain stage. (The tube gain remains constant) Inside the metal T4 can is a photo conductive cell that is optically coupled to a electro luminescent light source to provide gain reduction. The light intensity varies based on the audio voltage and frequency it is being fed from the HA100X input transformer.

It has a reasonable slow attack time of 10 milliseconds and the release time is program dependent. about 60 ms for 50% release and 0.5 to 5 seconds for full release.

The LA-2A has simple controls: a Peak-Reduction knob controls the gain of the side-chain circuit, and therefore, the gain reduction; a Gain Control for make-up gain; and a Limit/Compress switch which alter the compression ratio. The VU meter may also be switched to show gain reduction or output level.

Jim Scott
“LA-2As warm things up. ...they EQ all the warmth and low mids and bass. When you put bass and drums in them they get fatter and bigger. And unless you hit them way hard and make the tubes sizzle they don't really distort.”

''The LA2A works really well [on vocals],'' says Joe Barresi. “If you’re looking for more dirt you can turn a tube compressor up a little more.

Joe Chiccarelli when producing the White Stripes explained: ''Jack [White] always wanted more distortion on the vocals... When it came to the mix, Jack wanted still more edge, so I overloaded an LA2A compressor... This meant that I was getting the distortion from the last tube stage of the compressor, which creates a really beautiful distortion.''

Price: SOLD

Pendulum OCL-2 (Used)

Electro-Optical Compressor As with everything Pendulum makes, the OCL-2 Stereo Electro-Optical Compressor is in a class by itself. Fast and clean with a transformerless all-tube signal-path, the OCL-2 provides ultra smooth and transparent dynamic control. Like the ES-8, it has three attack/release modes; fast, presets and manual. Use the two channels independently or link 'em up for flawless stereo performance.

Price: $2,500.00

Neve 2254E Racked Pair Compressor/Limiters

Vintage Circa early 1970's with fast release mod
Neve 2254e (Vintage) Compressor/Limiter racked pair with stereo link button & psu. Discrete Class A. Variable Threshold and Fast Release mod to 100/200/400/Auto

Rare Circa Early 1970’s, round and thick sounding vintage Neve Comps, expertly racked by our friends at BAE. These beauties are becoming increasingly sought after.

The 2254 uses diode bridge that acts as the level control element as well as a BA183/283 amplifier (as fitted to the 1272) and this raises the level back up but then, at the gain make up, the 20dB gain is achieved by bypassing a 20dB pad, sequentially, until the attenuation is removed.

Price: $9,500.00

Empirical Labs EL8X Distressor (Used)

Single channel Distressor with British mod and image link feature.

Price: $1,325.00

Neve 33609A (Vintage)

Vintage Neve Compressor The Neve 33609/A was the first of the 33609 family and many engineers feel that it’s the best version. A classic compressor, it sounds sweet on your stereo mix bus or as a single compression on a sax or a vocal.

Price: $7,500.00

Universal Audio 1176LN Reissue (Used)

Classic Reissue Limiting Amplifier One of the most anticipated reissues ever. The industry standard vocal limiter, period. Until these were reissued, you'd have to pay ridiculous money for a broken one, IF you could find one. That absurdity is over. These are the real deal. They look the same as the original ones; they sound exactly the same as the original ones. And, yes, you can press all four ratio buttons in for the secret "obliterate" setting. Enjoy.

Price: $1,500.00

Inward Connections VAC RAC TSL-3 (Used)

Stereo Compressor/Limiter This used Inward Connections Vac Rac TSL-3 is in perfect condition and is an amazing limiter! Steve Firlotte upgraded at Inward Connections with NOS GE Tubes and Cinema Transformers on the output.

Price: $3,000.00