The Slate Pro Audio Dragon Dynamics Processor is an unapologitically charactered compressor. There is nothing subtle about it's sound, from punch, grit, boosted clarity, woofing low end, to outright distortion, this compressor is about dialing in your level of crunch.
The Slate Pro Audio Dragon Dynamics Processor features a classic FET compressor circuit, reminiscent of the 60's and 70's, but enhanced with a mastering grade signal path, including a CLASS A output section based around a custom-made transformer. The result is a compression quality that is rich and warm, but is also capable of sharp and aggressive tones; this is only the start of what the DRAGON can produce. The DRAGON includes three "character" settings that change the way the unit sounds and responds. The first setting is BOOM. This setting adds sub bass harmonics in a unique way that when combined with compression, can make basses sound massive and kick drums pound and "own" the subs. The second setting is BITE, which adds a gentle forward character that makes the source more defined and clear. BITE is superb on bass, snare, vocals and guitars. The third setting is SHEEN; This character setting adds an "airy gloss" to the source, reminiscent of classic opto tube compressors––absolutely stunning on vocals, acoustics and overheads. All character settings can be used simultaneously!
Slate Pro Audio Dragon Dynamics Processor Features
- 1176-style FET Gain Reduction Circuit
- 1073 Class A Discrete Amplifier
- 3 EQ-Emphasis Character Filters
- Parallel Compression Mix Knob
- Vintage and Normal Modes
- Analog Tape-style Saturation Modes
- High Pass Filter Side Chain
- Ratios 2:1 to Squash
Slate Pro Audio Dragon Dynamics Processor Specifications
- Input Impedance: 15K Bridged T-control (floating)
- Output Load Impedance: 15K Transformer balanced (floating)
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 1 dB
- Gain: 45 dB, ± 1 dB
- Distortion: > 0.5% T.H.D. from 50 Hz – 15 kHz with limiting, at 1.1 seconds release setting
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Output of +22 dBm with no greater than 0.5% T.H.D. > 81 dB with input signal at threshold of limiting over a bandwidth of 30 Hz to 18 kHz
- Attack Time: Adjustable, from 20 to 800 microseconds
- Release Time: Adjustable, from 50 milliseconds to 1.1 seconds
- External Connections: XLR / ¼” TRS (balanced)
- Stereo Interconnection: ¼” Phone
- Power Requirements: 110V / 220V
- Fuse: 500 mA time delay (slow blow) / 110 V, 250 mA time delay (slow blow) / 220 V
- Dimensions: 19" W x 3.5" H x 8.5" D (two rack spaces)
- Weight: 12 lbs (14 lbs in box)
Slate Pro Audio Dragon Dynamics Processor Includes
- Dragon Dynamics Processor
- IEC Power Cable
- Manual
- One Year Warranty
2 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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For me, better than a Distressor
Feb 27th 2013For what I'm doing, EDM, the Dragon is a perfect fit. It has all the mojo that a Distressor has, but it sounds clearer to me, and offers more tonal variety. I listened to the Dragon side by side with an 1176 and a Distressor, and it was my top choice because it really is a chameleon with all its sound shaping options. I felt like it bested the 1176 with its sheen and saturation settings on. A different time, I ran a weak lead synth patch from Sylenth1 through it and it turned it into a monster. It's hard to compare the Dragon with most other compressors simply by the fact that it has a wet/dry mix knob. This is incredibly useful, not only for getting tons of sound variety from the unit, but also because an outboard loop incurs a bit of latency, so with a compressor without a mix knob, trying to mix the compressed track with the original in the DAW and line them up is a hassle.
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If you only can have one.. get this.
Oct 15th 2011I wanted to hate this thing because of the hot-topic faceplate and the insane amount of marketing on the forums, but when I decided to get a hardware compressor, the features just leaped out at me. Now that I've been using it a few weeks, I can say it lives up to expectations. The design is pretty subtle in the rack, and the sound is fantastic. I've been using it for mild coloration on almost everything I'm tracking and major coloration on a few things. One of the best hidden features is the manual of presets. I'm an experienced engineer and they still had some approaches that I loved to learn from. Very happy with the purchase.
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