Made to follow the Preceptor, the new Generic Audio Compactor is a fresh, cut-down version of the original, much larger dynamics processor. Designed for studios, engineers, and producers who don't require the full feature set and functionality of the Preceptor, the Compactor is a two-channel, analog, Class-A discrete compressor / limiter.

Taking up just 2U of rack space -- as opposed to the Preceptor's 3U -- the Compactor offers the same overall look and feel of Generic Audio units, with a similar series of rotary and toggle switches used to control the general functionality.

The Compactor is said to offer high-quality components and electronically balanced XLR inputs and outputs. Each channel has an 11-position gold contact audio taper switch that can be used to adjust the input gain in 2 dB steps between -5 dB and +10 dB and an 11-position switch for controlling output gain in 2 dB steps within a range of -10 / +10 dB.

In addition, the Compactor includes a hard relay Bypass to which it defaults if the unit loses power. Six different Attack and Release time settings are available and an Action switch allows you to choose between Soft and Hard modes for different applications.

The Compactor dynamic processor maintains other features from the Preceptor, such as a Side Chain HPF with a reduced number of settings, plus the Link / Dual Mono switching that enables the unit to operate both as a single stereo compressor with equal gain on both sides, and as two separate compressors with each channel operating independently.

Compactor specs:

• Inputs: Electronically balanced XLR
• Outputs: Electronically balanced XLR
• Bypass: hard relay bypass
• Input impedance: 48kΩ
• Output impedance: < 50Ω
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 22 kHz
• Maximum input level : + 21 dBu @ sensitivity +4 dBu
• Maximum output level: +23 dBu
• S/N ratio (A-weighted) : better than 85 dBu
• Meter: 0 to -20 dB gain reduction
• Signal path: Class-A, discrete
• Gain reduction made by: a transistor in the differential amplifier circuit with Zener diodes stabilization
• Dynamic modes: limiter, compressor
• Action modes: hard, soft
• Attack: 1 ms, 2 ms, 5 ms, 8 ms, 12 ms, 30 ms
• Release: 50 ms, 100 ms, 250 ms, 500 ms, 1 sec, 2 sec
• Sidechain filtering (HPF) : OFF, 80 Hz, 200 Hz, 320 Hz
• PSU: internal
• Fuses type: 230V : 500mA (slo-blo; 5 x 20 mm) / 115V : 1A (slo-blo; 5 x 20 mm)
• Power consumption: 60W
• Dimensions: 483 (W) mm x 88 (H) mm (2U) x 245 (D) mm

Generic Audio plans on shipping the new Compactor during July, 2011 for about £2,340 GBP (approximately $3,760). For more information, visit generic-audio.com.