Dual Channel Tube Compressor with Solid State Preamps
The C-1 from TL Audio is a dual channel tube compressor that features two solid state preamps followed by two valve stages per channel. The high quality microphone preamps allow direct-to-tape recording of microphone sources while stereo front panel instrument inputs allow a keyboard or guitar to be fed directly into the unit.
The tubes are General Electric ECC83/12AX7A types, run from a stabilized 250VDC power supply. The first valve stage acts as a voltage amplifier with the second stage forming part of the gain control element. The gain control is performed by TL Audio’s transconductance stage, which avoids the use of VCAs, thus improving transparency and minimizing distortion.
All controls are continuously variable. The C1 features a Raven Blue 6mm CNC milled aluminum front panel, high retention gold plated ceramic valve bases and circular back-lit VU meters.