We’re not going to hide our intentions: when we set out to design The Dangerous COMPRESSOR, we spent over two years figuring out how to achieve modern levels of limiting and compression while avoiding the deadening effects of today’s ultra-limited productions. We make gear that helps you deliver the impact, punch and clarity that brings music to life, and when it comes to compression and limiting our answer was not to avoid it like some purists might, but to deliver an audiophile-grade tool that provides powerful compression and limiting without robbing the music of its lifeforce. The Dangerous COMPRESSOR points the way to the future of dynamics.

Compressors fall into two basic categories: so-called “color boxes” capable of drastically changing sound, of which there are hundreds available, and the much more difficult to design “transparent units” that control dynamics without introducing obvious sonic artifacts. The Dangerous COMPRESSOR is decidedly in the latter category, delivering crystal clear compression that allows you to easily alter and control dynamics without drastically changing the original sound. But don’t let the word ‘transparency’ trick you into thinking The COMPRESSOR doesn’t sound beautiful – like all Dangerous gear, the low end is big and powerful, the mids maintain texture and detail, and the top-end is open and deeply engaging, even during very active gain reduction. This level of open musicality is unique even among the small field of transparent compressors, putting The COMPRESSOR in a class of its own where sounding transparent and beautiful is no longer a paradox.

Because The Dangerous COMPRESSOR is so transparent and simple to operate, it can handle a wide range of tasks often left to automation and eq during tracking, mixing and mastering. Few compressors are as versatile. Tedious vocal level rides can be handed over to The Dangerous COMPRESSOR’s VCA as if it were a trusted assistant intuitively riding a fader. Use the internal sidechain EQ curves to tame a sibilant vocal or to let deep bass punch through untouched, or both simultaneously. Effortlessly peak-limit a master in the analog realm and dispense with your digital limiter using the unique Smart Dynamics feature. Patch an eq into the  external side chain for dynamic eq across the midrange, or use the two channels as independent mono units, or in series to achieve ultra-transparent “cascaded compression.” Beyond versatility, The Dangerous COMPRESSOR invites you to creatively solve sonic problems without worrying about unwanted sonic artifacts.

Hand assembled in the USA, at the heart of The Dangerous COMPRESSOR is a unique and unparalleled audiophile-grade circuit by legendary designer Chris Muth. In typical Dangerous fashion, nothing is sacrificed, and The COMPRESSOR delivers intelligent, innovative, easy-to-use features with unsurpassed sound.

Features:

• Elegant, easy-to-use design with an uncompromising audio circuit by legendary designer Chris Muth.
• Unique Smart Dynamics dual-slope detector handles transient peaks without ducking the average level, making modern compression levels easier to achieve and totally transparent.
• Auto Attack/Release – achieve excellent results with just the threshold and makeup gain settings.
• Two audiophile-grade internal sidechain eq settings.
• Hard and soft knee slope selection.
• External sidechain routing.
• Audiophile-grade VCAs for controlling levels without artifacts.
• Stepped ratio settings from 1:1 to 20:1.
• Multiple meter modes.