GC Audio Analog Riser Mastering Processor

The GC Audio Analog Riser Mastering Processor is a high-end dynamics and harmonics processor, which allows you to obtain sharp and unique dynamics and harmonics processing. It offers a unique sound signature for demanding engineers, right up to the mastering stage.

Several years of research and development have been necessary to create the GC Audio Analog Riser so that it can be used in all areas of the recording and mastering. An uncompromising electronic design has been made to obtain an irreproachable sound quality. The GC Audio Analog Riser will allow you to process sound with confidence for recording, mixing and mastering. The Analog Riser is a fully analog design built around 5 tubes, 4 VCAs, 4 Lundhal transformers, a hundred low noise operational amplifiers, Grayhill switches, IP knobs, etc. Its powerful combinations of harmonic processing / make up and MS mode make it a unique machine.

It is a 3-band full parametric equalizer with Low Cut and High Cut
Although the primary function of this EQ is to define a multiband contour for the compressor detection threshold, it can also be used as a stand-alone EQ. In Sidechain mode (compressor stage on), it has a narrow bandwidth for optimal VCA stability. The use of the equalizer in insert in the compressor sidechain allows to realize very precise dynmic treatments. Indeed, to avoid a compression "pumping", a Low Cut is often used in the Sidechain to discriminate for example, the bass drum. Unfortunately this does not only discriminate the bass drum but the whole low end of the spectrum. With the multiband contour you can first find the exact frequency of the bass drum and only separate this frequency at the level of the compressor's release threshold. In the opposite case, which may be desired for electro music for example, you can turn up the gain only on the bass drum frequency which will give you a stable pumping with a good rhythmic behavior. More globally, the multiband VCA contour will allow you to compress at different thresholds the pleasant and the unpleasant frequencies.

It is a full VCA compressor
This compressor is built around a state-of-the-art VCA and features full adjustment of the Time, Threshold and Make Up components. With impeccable characteristics in terms of signal to noise ratio and distortion, it is particularly stable. Note that it is equipped with a new and original function: "Auto Creator". In this mode, the Attack and Release are automatic. They will be globally fast but vary according to the speed of the input signal. The times will be different depending on the nature of the signal: transient or constant signal. This is a very interesting function on percussive sources or bass

It is a Harmonic treatment stage
This stage generates odd harmonics. It is possible to define the amount of harmonics generated as well as the density integrated in the original signal. The electronic design has been optimized so that this function adds a proximity presence to the signal, thus treating more the top of the spectrum.

It is a full tube gain stage
The spirit of this tube stage is to extract the full essence of the vacuum tube character. Each channel consists of four 12AY7 lamp stages. A high voltage EZ81 tube power supply is also present and offers a high quality choke filtering system allowing a very low residual ripple. The lamp power supply also allows for a gradual rise in high voltage, which preserves the life of the 12AY7 lamps. The Analog Riser allows two types of make up: The discrete make up of the compressor stage which will have a very transparent rendering and the lamp make up which allows to color the signal, or even give it a saturation. To use the maximum potential of the headroom of the tube stage, it is interesting to reduce the make up of the compressor stage beforehand.

It is a Brickwall type Limiter
The last output stage of the Analog Riser is a Brickwall Limiter with 12 Threshold positions. To avoid saturating your converters, the optimal setting is +4dBu, which will give you 0dBfs at the input of your DAW. Each position is factory set to a negative tolerance. For example, the +ddBu position will have a real level of -0.00 dBfs, which ensures no digital saturation. The Limiter does not defy the laws of physics, but by pushing the Make Up to its limits, the dynamic range will be reduced and the overall volume impression can increase considerably without exceeding +4dBU (0db VU).

GC Audio Analog Riser Mastering Processor Operational Modes

• Mode Dual Mono: This is the default mode when you power on the. An analog processor with two completely independent channels. In this mode, you can simultaneously process two tracks independently.
• Stereo Mode: This mode is dedicated to stereo BUS compression. The BUS compression being generally positioned on moderate ratios, it has been chosen a L+R summation for the Sidechain input. The limiter works on a ratio of +Infinite, it has no summation on the sidechain input in order to keep a faithful stereo image. A common Threshold, calibrated from factory, allows a precise adjustment between L and R. Also a Link of the VCA time control allows an identical behavior.
• M/S Mode (Mid/Side): This mode dedicated to mastering is a very powerful tool that allows a different dynamic treatment between what is mixed in the middle and what is mixed on the sides. The M/S encoder and decoder of the Analog Riser are built around dedicated differential amplifiers with laser-etched calibration, which allows for the most precise signal processing.This mode remains completely analog, without A/D - D/A conversion.

GC Audio Analog Riser Mastering Processor Specifications

• Audio Connections: Two 3-pin XLR connectors are provided at the back panel. The inputs are female, the outputs are male connectors. All connectors follow the European wiring convention: Pin 1 = Ground, Pin 2 = Hot (+) Pin 3 = Cold.
• Power: The GC Audio Analog Riser can be powered from either a 230V or 115V source via a switch on the rear panel. Please refer to the safety instructions in your product literature.

GC Audio Analog Riser Mastering Processor Includes

• GC Audio Analog Riser Mastering Processor
• Power Cable
• Manufacturer Warranty