Grace Design m102 optical compressors Grace Design

High fidelity optical compressors

Introducing the m102  optical compressors. While both share identical audio circuitry, the m102 is built in a half-rack 1U module.

From gentle dynamic smoothing to full tilt squash, these units deliver open, musical dynamic control that is the perfect companion to our high fidelity mic preamplifiers or any recording chain. All your tracks can now have glorious, easy to use compression which regardless of how much you squeeze, will always end up with their sonic essence perfectly intact.

The heart of the compressor circuit is an optical attenuator – the purest, high fidelity gain control mechanism available. With careful attention to control circuit design, we are able to implement a feedback opto compressor that not only provides a wide range of dynamic control, but remains inherently neutral, open and musical.

Both are full featured units, including input and output level, threshold, attack, release and ratio controls. The m102 includes balanced inputs and outputs, both with parallel XLR and ¼” TRS connectors, along with a 1/4″ TRS jack for stereo link or sidechain signal input. 

While lots of our gear adorns the most expensive recording and audio production facilities in the world, all of it sounds that way, and the m102 is no exception. We eagerly invite you to hear what truly transparent, musical dynamic control can do for your audio production. The perfect way to zip it all up and send it all downstream: clean, intact and alive.

Features:

Elegantly simple, purist feedback design optical compressor, optimized for signal leveling with a minimum of sonic artifacts

From subtle dynamic control to heavy compression, the sonic character of the source remains intact

Comprehensive control set includes input level, threshhold, attack, release, ratio and makeup gain

Bright, easy to read 10 segment LED gain reduction meters

Bi-color output peak LED lights green with signal present and red 8dB before clipping

Dual balanced inputs and outputs on XLR and 1/4″ TRS

Precision audio path with 0.5% precision metal film resistors

Bombproof laser-etched black anodized frontpanel

Built in universal power supply

Five year transferable warranty on parts and labor

Built by us in the USA

Specifications:

GAIN RANGE
Input Trim	-10 – +10dB
Output Trim	-10 – +10dB
Compression
Threshold Range	-15 – +15 dBu
Attack Range	3 – 200 ms
Release Range	0.03 – 3 s
Ratio Range	1:1 – 12:1
Gain Reduction	0 – 20dB
THD+N 1kHz, 22Hz-22kHz BW
@ 0dB Gain +10dBu out	<0.002%
INTERMODULATION DISTORTION
@ 0dB Gain +20dBu out
SMPTE/DIN 4:1 7kHz/50Hz	<0.002%
OUTPUT NOISE 22Hz-22kHz BW
@0dB Gain	<-78dB
CMRR @0dB Gain, 3.5Vcm
100Hz	>75dB
1kHz	>75dB
10kHz	>75dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
@0dB Gain -3dB	0.016Hz-150kHz
IMPEDANCE
Line In	24kΩ
Main Out balanced	350Ω
Main Out unbalanced	150Ω
Link In – sidechain mode	100kΩ
LEVEL METERS
Output Peak Indicator	Green: -15dBu; Red: +20dBu
Gain Reduction Meter	0-10dB Gain Reduction
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
(m102) 100k Ohm load, 0.1% THD	+28dBu
(m502) 100k Ohm load, 0.1% THD , 1kHz, API Lunchbox	+27dBu
WEIGHT and DIMENSIONS
(m102) 2.4 lbs	H1.7″ x W8.5″ x D9.0″
POWER CONSUMPTION
(m102) 100-240VAC	5 Watts Max