The Brick Lane 500 from Cranborne Audio is an advanced analog PWM compressor designed to redefine dynamics control in professional audio production. Powered by its innovative Modal PWM Compression architecture, this module provides unmatched flexibility by offering multiple distinct compression styles within a single unit. Each mode represents a unique compression approach, delivering a wide range of sonic characteristics tailored to various applications.
From gentle, Vari-Mu-inspired curves to rapid FET-like responsiveness, the Brick Lane 500 adapts seamlessly to any creative need. Compression ratio, attack, release, and knee behaviors dynamically shift between modes, providing precise control over tonal and dynamic shaping. The versatile Stress control enhances each mode, offering options like subtle harmonic warmth, transient shaping, mix glue, and loudness optimization. Ideal for mixing and sound design, the Brick Lane 500 delivers the power of multiple legendary compressors in one compact module, making it a powerful tool for professionals seeking a flexible and creative approach to compression.
Modal Compression: The Sonic Transformation Engine
The Brick Lane 500 introduces six distinct compression characters, each meticulously crafted to deliver unique sonic signatures:
- 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 ultrafast, 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 Clairborne's Analog Lookahead technology.
Key Technological Innovations
PWM Compression for Ultimate Analog Compression
- Pure PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) analog signal processing
- Minimizes undesirable compression artefacts and distortion
- Infinite control of compression envelopes, onsets, and ballistics
Analog Lookahead Technology
- Quarter-wave predictive voltage detection provides an advanced transient anticipation mechanism
- Enables zero-latency dynamics control
- Prevents converter clipping with surgical precision
- Exclusive to Polish mode for ultimate mastering-grade limiting
Transient Harmonic Saturation
- Proprietary Stress control enables nuanced audio coloration for each compression mode
- Transforms compression into a creative instrument
Full Analog Signal Path
- Pure PWM processing
- 100% analog signal integrity with no digital conversion
Stereo-Link via OptoSync
- Brick Lane 500 features Cranborne Audio’s OptoSync technology, enabling two Brick Lane 500 units to work as a perfect stereo pair for mixes and stereo sources.
- Using OptoSync, all controls are synchronized from the left unit to the right without cables or internal fixings. Switch OptoSync for all slave units to ON and its controls all synchronize to the master unit wirelessly using LED and optical communication.
- You can also use OptoSync to link together multiple units for applying the same sonic footprint across entire summing mixers or multichannel surround mixes.
At a Glance
- 500 Series modal PWM compressor meticulously developed by the Cranborne Audio team in the UK
- Custom PWM compression circuit and unique Stress control for harmonically-enriched compression effects
- 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)
- 12-segment LED level meter and 12-segment LED gain reduction meter
- 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
- OptoSync wireless communication between modules for linked controls during stereo operation
- 3.5mm TRS socket for linking non-adjacent modules
- Circuit auto-calibration for perfect stereo matching between all modules
- True-bypass IN/OUT switching with complete or post input trim modes available on DIP switch
- Stepped, front-panel controls for quick recall and precise feel