From what A-Designs Audio says about its HM2 Nail Compressor ($2,850 MSRP), the new release hits the proverbial nail on the head when it comes to compression controls and envelope shaping.

The 19-inch, rackmountable HM2 Nail features a hybrid topology that combines a feedback diode-based design with a 12AT7 tube output section. According to A-Designs, this Nail offers practically endless possibilities in terms of compression control and envelope shaping. In addition to the features unique to this model (controls for Hard Threshold, Filter, and Mix), the Nail offers LED metering, 2-Buss and tracking functions, six functional switches, XLR connectors, conductive plastic potentiometers, and more.

Although the unit does not have a Ratio setting control, it has something else in its place called “Variable Ratio." This control allows the ratio to change as the settings of the Threshold and Hard Threshold are changed along with the amount of gain reduction. The manufacturer notes that you may need to adjust Attack and Release, depending on what sounds good to you.

The Mix feature lets you mix the sound of the Nail’s compression with your audio signal path, and go from your signal (dry) to full-on compression. The Nail's Filter, on the other hand, is a variable highpass filter on the side chain that ensures that selected frequencies below are not triggered by gain reduction. This feature, in combination with the Hard Threshold and Threshold, allows you to select the frequency or frequencies you wish to compress.

Instead of traditional VU meters, the Nail compressor uses an LED array so that the meters can be seen easily from across a dark studio. Moreover, the Nail was designed with the 2 Buss in mind, and makes all functions on both channels in Stereo Link Mode controllable via Channel 1 (with the exception of Gain and Mix).

Switches include the main power switch, a stereo link switch, and two gain reduction / level switches to change your metering, one for each channel. Also included are two in / out switches, one for each channel, for hard bypassing the compressor channel. Four XLR connectors -- two male balanced and two female balanced -- on the rear panel, custom-milled aluminum knobs, and a milled-aluminum face plate round out the unit.

The HM2 Nail Compressor is now shipping. Learn more at adesignsaudio.com.