Golden Age Comp-2A Single-Channel Compressor

The Golden Age Project COMP-2A takes its cue from one of the most widely used vintage leveling amplifiers found in professional recording facilities around the world. The single-channel COMP-2A is vintage-style Compressor / Leveler that uses vacuum tubes in its signal and side-chain paths. The input and output is transformer balanced, using two different transformers, each one optimized for its purpose. This is the way audio components were built before transistors and integrated circuits became available.

Integrated circuits are small and cheap and widely used in most modern designs. The drawback is that audio components built with modern technology don't always provide the best-perceived sound quality or the type of character that the modern user desires. The circuit used in the COMP-2A is based on a classic design that was originally produced in the early 1960s and it was initially intended for broadcast applications. It uses an electro-luminescent panel and a photoelectric cell to control gain. This gives it a unique, program dependent compression characteristic. In addition, the all tube signal path and the transformers add a wonderful and musical character to the sound.

The ease of use with only two main controls makes it very simple to achieve the desired sound. These attributes have made the original units a favorite of engineers and musicians worldwide. This classic sound is now available at a very affordable price point with the COMP-2A.