Radial Workhorse Komit 500 Compressor-Limiter

Full Description

Potential Applications

• Complementing A Channel Strip: Feed your microphone into a PowerPre, an EQ, and the Komit. This allows you to control the dynamics of the signal to achieve truly astounding professional results
• Operation In Stereo Mode: The Komit can easily be set to work in stereo mode by simply linking two Komits together. Using the Komit in this way is ideal for mastering applications. Even though the two Komits will share the same time constant, independent compression retains the full stereo image
• Ducking: Using the key input on the Komit, the device can be used to automatically duck a certain signal when the key input signal appears at or above a particular level

Features

• Single-dial 500 Series auto-tracking compressor-limiter
• Old-school diode bridge clipping limiter
• Brick wall setting for set-and-forget recording
• Simplifies the process of dynamic manipulation
• Super-clean compression
• Limiter with the ability to go from 'vintage to nasty'
• Minimalistic design with incredible flexibility thanks to an array of automatic functions
• Musical and intuitive performance
• Auto-detecting feed-forward VCA reads incoming program material and reacts 'real-time' to the time constant
• 3-position attack-decay switch with Slow for vocals, Medium for instruments, and Fast for percussion
• Komit FlexKnee™ compression dynamically adjusts the pivot point
• Seamless transitioning from soft to hard knee for organic results
• Komit Clipper™ brings personality to your recordings
• Clipper™ sound simulates the sounds from the early days of radio
• Diode bridge circuitry clips the input signal when it exceeds the headroom
• Ten settings graduated from mild harmonic-overload to extreme dirt
• Full-size discrete electronics with added warmth from the vintage-style Hammond broadcast transformers
• Variable level control provides gain make-up
• Level control can also be used to drive the Clipper™ for added distortion
• Dual ballistic VU metering provides simultaneous visual feedback regarding compression and output
• Designed for use with all 500 Series racks
• Linkable for full stereo operation
• Omniport assigned as a key input for frequency dependent compression, de-essing, ducking, and more (only available when used with the Radial Workhorse)
• Military-grade 12-position Grayhill switch with gold contacts and a steel shaft
• Double-layer steel front panel reduces stress on the PCB and adds rigidity to the device
• Dual potentiometers with doubled-up solder points, steel castings, steel shafts, and steel retention nuts
• Military-spec double-sided PCB with full ground plane to ensure the lowest noise performance
• Double-sided gold-plated 15-pin card edge design ensures positive connection to the receptacle for improved mating
• Hammond input transformer delivers the true warmth of analogue circuitry to produce vintage tone without noise
• Hammond output transformer provides isolation whilst adding the sonic character of old-school broadcast circuitry

Specifications

• Circuit Type: Feed forward with true RMS sidechain
• Power Requirement: 72mA, +/-16VDC
• Compression Ratio:
  • Normal: 1:1 to 10:1
  • Brickwall: 1:1 to 25:1
• Limiter Range: +4dBu to +21dBu
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, -2dB at 20Hz
• Maximum Output: +22dBu
• Maximum Gain Make-Up: +20dB
• THD+N: 0.025 percent at 1kHz
• Intermodulation Distortion:
• Input Impedance: 9.6k Ohms
• Output Impedance: 140 Ohms
• Threshold: -10dBu or +4dBu
• Maximum Gain: Key input to detector
• Compliance API: Yes (VPR Alliance)
• Compliance WHOS-Doc: Yes (Radial Workhorse 500 Rack)
• Conditions: For use in dry locations only between 5°C and 40°C
• Size: Standard 500 Series format
• Weight: 0.7kg / 1.5lbs

Controls & Connectivity

• Dual Ballistic VU: 10-segment LED divided into two - the left side indicates the compression, whilst the right side provides visual indication of the output level. The meter is easy to read and works very quickly, providing instant feedback of the signal status
• Limiter: 12-position dial that lets you choose between brick-wall limiting, bypass, and the Clipper. The clipper is an old-school diode-bridge clipping circuit with 10 graduated settings that range from slight clipping to over-the-top distortion
• Brick Wall: The brick wall setting changes the compression ratio control from 10:1 to a 25:1 brick wall limiter. This is ideal for set and forget digital recording where you want to keep signals out of the red no matter what
• 3-Speed VCA: Three settings with feed-forward auto-detection make it easy to set the attack and release time constants. Slow for vocals, medium for instruments, and fast for percussion
• Compressor: State of the art FlexKnee™ compression circuit that dynamically transforms from soft to hard knee as it follows the compression ratio setting. Variable with up to 10:1 compression with a single dial control
• Link: When used with the Workhorse, the stereo link switch lets you combine two Komits together following the same time constant. Also active on standard 500 Series racks using the pin-6 card edge terminal
• Sync: Sets up master-slave configuration sharing the same time constant for optimal stereo dynamic coupling whilst maintaining independent channel compression
• Input: Allows you to toggle the threshold between +4dB and -10dB to optimize the input range, making the Komit easy to interface with all types of program material
• Gain: Variable up to +22dB providing make-up gain when signals are compressed. Also used to drive the Clipper hard for extra character
• Omniport: Designated as a key input to allow external control over the compressor's sidechain. Available when used with the Workhorse
• On: Bypass switch that allows you to rapidly compare the original pre-compressed signal to the settings you have selected on the Komit