Phoenix Audio N90-DRC/500 is a compressor and gate in 500 series format, built entirely in Class-A. A transformerless input feeds the DSOP-2 output stage with its custom-wound DB694 transformer, and an internal 24 V supply gives the circuit headroom that a standard chassis rail does not provide.
Compressor and gate in a single slot
A drum track normally needs two devices: a gate to cut the spill and a compressor to shape the dynamics. The N90-DRC/500 does both in one module. The gate has its own threshold, a release adjustable from 0.1 to 2 seconds and a hold-then-fade topology, so a snare tail is not chopped off halfway through. A key input lets you trigger the gate from another signal when you want the overheads to close in time with the kick.
Eight modules working as one
The compressor offers ratios from 1.5:1 to 8:1, attack at a normal 15 ms or a fast 1 ms, and release either automatic and programme dependent or set by hand between 0.1 and 3 seconds. Make-up gain of up to +15 dB sits after the gate, so levelling up does not raise what the gate has just removed. Up to eight modules can be linked into a group, which keeps a full drum kit reacting together and stops the stereo image from shifting on a hard hit.
KEY FEATURES
- Compressor and gate in a single 500 series module
- Fully Class-A circuit with a transformerless input
- Ratios from 1.5:1 to 8:1
- Normal 15 ms or fast 1 ms attack
- Automatic programme dependent release or manual 0.1 to 3 s
- Make-up gain up to +15 dB placed after the gate
- Gate with threshold and release from 0.1 to 2 s
- Hold-then-fade gate topology
- Key input for triggering the gate from another source
- LED gain reduction metering
- Linking of up to eight modules into one group
- DSOP-2 output stage with DB694 transformer
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Format: 500 series, API standard
- Ratio range: 1.5:1 to 8:1
- Attack times: 15 ms normal, 1 ms fast
- Compressor release: 0.1 to 3 s or automatic
- Gate release: 0.1 to 2 s
- Make-up gain: up to +15 dB
- Maximum output gain: +15 dBu at 1 kHz
- Output stage headroom: +26 dB
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±0.5 dB)
- Noise floor: -90 dB maximum (20 Hz to 20 kHz)
- Internal power rail: 24 V
