nABC+ pairs an analog signal path with preamps before and after the compression stage with real-time digital parameter control over USB and MIDI. It all fits in a compact machined aluminum case with 1/4" jacks and a touch panel, powered directly from USB.
Sidechain triggering from anything, not just audio
The classic ducking effect — a bassline breathing under the kick, a synth stepping aside for a vocal — usually means running a separate audio cable carrying the trigger signal into a compressor's sidechain input. On the nABC+, the same effect fires just as easily from a MIDI signal out of a DAW, a gate voltage from a modular sequencer, a USB message, or a microphone plugged straight into the sidechain input with no external preamp needed. That makes it possible to sync compression to an analog sequencer building a trance gate, or vary the gain-reduction depth beat by beat — something no compressor limited to audio-only triggering can do.
Analog saturation and sidechain mixing in one unit
High-gain preamps placed before and after the compression stage add controlled analog saturation independent of the gain reduction itself — the sound can move from clean and smooth to warm and driven without reaching for a separate saturator. The sidechain signal can also be blended directly with the compressed signal inside the unit, saving a mixer channel and extra cabling when building a reverb-ducking effect on an FX return. Eight storable presets recall a complete set of parameters with a single MIDI Program Change.
KEY FEATURES
- Stereo analog compressor with digital control over USB and MIDI
- Sidechain triggering by audio signal, MIDI, USB, analog gate/CV, or microphone
- High-gain preamps before and after compression for analog saturation
- Sidechain signal mixed directly with the compressed signal inside the unit
- Adjustable compression knee: hard or soft
- Adjustable attack and release times
- Eight storable user presets, recalled via MIDI Program Change
- Machined aluminum case with touch panel and bypass switch
- Powered directly from USB
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Audio input: 2x 1/4" jack, balanced, 30k Ohm impedance, max +19.5dBu
- Audio output: 2x 1/4" jack, balanced, 400 Ohm impedance, max +19.5dBu
- External sidechain input: 1x 1/8" jack, max 20dBu, 50k Ohm, unbalanced
- CV input: 1x 1/8" jack, 0-5V unipolar (10V tolerated)
- Gate input: 1x 1/8" jack, 0-5V unipolar (10V tolerated)
- MIDI input: 1x 1/8" TRS jack (DIN-to-TRS cable included)
- USB: Type B, 2.0
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz, +0.5/-0.5dB
- LINE THD+N: typically below 0.035% (A-weighted), below 0.04% (unweighted) at 1kHz, 0dBu
- Compressor threshold range: -20dBu to +20dBu
- Compressor ratio: 1:1 to ∞:1 (limiting)
- Preamp gain: 0-25dB (LINE input), 0-20dB (LINE output), switchable 0/25dB (sidechain)
- Maximum gain reduction: greater than 30dB
- Power: 5V via USB, typically 500mA
- Dimensions: 125 x 125 x 40mm, weight: 450g
