Mercury 666 MKII is a single-channel studio limiter of hybrid construction — solid-state and tube at once — inspired by the Fairchild 666. Unlike the classic it offers a stereo link and an insert in the sidechain, the two things the original lacked most.
Stereo link: two units start behaving as one
Two independent limiters on left and right respond to signal separately, so a louder element on one side shifts the whole stereo image. A stereo link ties the detection of both units together, so reduction is shared and the panorama stays put. On a bus that is not an option but a requirement.
A sidechain insert, meaning control over what the limiter reacts to
Patching an equalizer into the control path lets you take the bottom out of detection so the kick does not pump the whole mix, or the opposite — sharpen the response to sibilance for de-essing. This is the element that turns a limiter from one sound into a tool with many uses.
KEY FEATURES
- Single-channel hybrid limiter: solid-state and tube
- Design inspired by the Fairchild 666 circuit
- Stereo link for working as a pair on a bus
- Insert in the sidechain path
- Use on individual tracks and on the stereo bus
- Designed and built by Mercury Recording Equipment
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: studio limiter, hybrid construction
- Channels: 1
- Reference circuit: Fairchild 666
- Functions: stereo link, sidechain insert
- Revision: MKII
