Phoenix Audio N90-DRC - 500 Series Mono Compressor

Phoenix Audio N90-DRC

The Phoenix Audio N90-DRC is a 500 series mono compressor and gate that can deliver both mellow and transparent dynamic control, and limiter style compression with desirable artefacts when pushed. The N90-DRC by Phoenix Audio can provide clean, and warm class A saturation thanks to the DSOP-2 output stage, making the N90-DRC an extremely versatile dynamic control tool.

A Forgiving and Intuitive Class-A Circuit

The N90's 100% Class-A circuit is built around our wide-open sounding transfomerless input stage and beloved DSOP-2 output amplifier with our custom-wound DB694 output transformer. While appearing quite elaborate, using the compressor/gate functions of the N90 is a forgiving and intuitive experience—especially given that this is a solid-state compressor. The ease of use is due to the gradual and progressive behavior of the N90's unique control circuit. Gain reduction begins well below, and continues beyond, the threshold, so you'll never hear a sudden "grabby" change in dynamics. Instead, you'll easily dial in fluid dynamic control while simultaneously picking up the rich, lush tone of the N90's discrete Class-A circuit.

But You Can Still Push It

With ratios ranging from 2:1 to 8:1, the N90 is clearly designed for mellow, transparent compression. However, the higher ratios do offer up a fair amount of "limiter style" artifacts, especially when you switch the attack to "fast" and begin to manually manipulate the compressor's release time. Further, by driving more signal into the N90, a wide range of tones can be derived from the DSOP-2 output stage—from crystal clean to warm, pure Class-A analog saturation. Perhaps most importantly, the N90 makes a smooth transition from transparent to more obvious compression and output stage saturation, meaning that it's never a fussy or sensitive task to dial in your desired sound. From the subtlest gain control to lush Class-A artifacts—not to mention the flexible gate circuit—the N90-DRC/500 is one of the most versatile dynamic control units ever produced.

A Gate You'll Actually Use

With the advent of digital's nearly inaudible noise floor, gating is something of a lost art. However, having been designed just before the industry largely abandoned analog tape, the N90 houses one of the most advanced, musical analog gates ever conceived. Similar to the compressor section, the N90's gate is intended to be subtle and musical. Its release function is actually a combination of a "hold time" followed by a "fade time," making the N90's gate adept at everything from standard noise gating to even more subtle control of ambience levels relative to main signal. There is also an external key input, allowing you to trigger the gate with an external signal. With the N90's gate at your fingertips, you'll discover (or perhaps rediscover) the subtle art of analog gating.

Link Up To 8 Units

Up to eight N90-DRC/500s can be linked together, allowing the compressor and gate functions to be controlled from just one of the units. This link functionality opens up a whole world of possibilities, from simpler stereo set-ups to far more elaborate scenarios where multiple channels are triggered by external key inputs. Almost anything you can dream up can be done with multiple N90s on hand.

Specifications

• Unique design allows unit to run at 24v for true-to-form Class-A operation.
• Phoenix Audio’s unique Class A, transformerless, electronically balanced buffer amp input stage.
• Class-A, DSOP-2 output stage with custom-wound transformer.
• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz +- 0.5dB. 
• Maximum Output gain = +15dBu @ 1kHz, Noise = -90dB @ 20Hz to 20kHz, maximum
• Typical Max Headroom: +26dB on output stage
• Input connections: XLR input on rear of API compatible rack
• Ability to link multiple modules (up to 8)
• External input for gate section on TT Bantam connector
• Compression Meter: LED Metering. (Green = -3dbu, -6dbu -10dbu & -14dBu, Red= -20dBu and doubles as the Gate Active LED)
• 24v built PSU