Call Us for your best package
pricing and product availability.
OUR PART #: COMP54MK2
The Golden Age Project COMP-54 MKII is a one-channel vintage style Compressor whose main difference from the MKI is an insert jack where you can insert one of their EQ units ... Read more
Questions? Contact our
Sales and Service Pros for expert
advice and package pricing.
Email customer service
The Golden Age Project COMP-54 MKII is a one-channel vintage style Compressor whose main difference from the MKI is an insert jack where you can insert one of their EQ units. Its signal path uses only discrete components like resistors, capacitors and transistors, and the line input and outputs are transformer balanced. The unit also has a third inter-stage transformer.
Integrated circuits are small, cheap and widely used in most modern designs but audio components built with modern technology don´t always provide the best sound quality or character. Conversely, the sound quality delivered by vintage equipment is often preferred over that of modern units. This is why many vintage audio components are cloned and reproduced, and thus why the vintage originals are expensive on the second hand market.
The class-A circuit used in the COMP-54 is similar to the one in the classic 2254 compressor from 1969. Its unique sound character is warm, smooth, and sweet, which helped make it popular. These versatile sound traits work well on most sound sources and in most genres.
The COMP-54 uses a diode bridge as the gain control element, a method revered for its smooth operation. Some sought-after vintage compressor designs, like the 2254, 2264, 33609, Siemens™ and EMI™ used the same basic design. The controls in the COMP-54 are very flexible, and cover broad ranges of Ratio, Attack and Release times, including two Auto positions. All controls except the Gain make-up are stepped for easy resetting and stereo matching, and there’s three selectable sidechain high pass filter frequencies available to handle special situations.
The Bypass switch is a true bypass, where a relay switches the complete circuitry in or out. The IN/OUT switch makes it possible to switch the compression on and off while retaining the coloring from the transformers and the electronic circuitry. The meter can show output level or gain reduction. It is also possible to link two units for stereo operation.
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.