
Antoine “Chab” Chabert
Mastering Engineer
“It compresses without any artifacts. It’s like the other Dangerous Music equipment, really transparent.”
“It compresses without any artifacts. It’s like the other Dangerous Music equipment, really transparent.”
“It’s a really creative tool. I can work quickly with it. I can add a bit of sibilance or brilliance, I can compress without the bass using the Side Chain. I like the way I can add just a little compression, it does just the… READ MORE Antoine “Chab” Chabert
The Ratio control employs stepped attenuators, however the others do not. This is because analog attenuators have a maximum of 23 positions. This is not enough for very fine mastering-level adjustments to the controls.
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Dangerous gear does not get extremely hot. However, we always recommend leaving blank spaces anyway. More ventilation always equals longer gear life, no matter how hot or cool your gear runs. Do not rack your Dangerous gear next to very hot gear such as power… READ MORE Do I need to leave blank rack spaces above/below my gear?
The separation does not change, but the perceived image depends on the program material. Smart Dyn adds a limiter with a fast release, so on certain tracks the middle may come forward, but the channel separation is better than 115dB no matter what the controls… READ MORE Does the Smart Dyn function change the stereo image?
“Even if you think of yourself as somebody who favors compressors with a sound, I’d recommend checking out the Dangerous COMPRESSOR to see if it can fill a hole in your toolbox perhaps one you didn’t even realize was there.”
“The headroom and transparency of the Dangerous put it into a different category than the other stereo compressors I regularly use. I can say without hesitation that the Dangerous COMPRESSOR is the most hi-fi compressor I’ve ever had in my mix chain.”
“I found the Stereo setting way, way more useful than on most stereo compressors, since it still uses the independent left and right signals to trigger the compression. This means that mixes through the Dangerous COMPRESSOR won’t suffer from over-compression of centered elements and under-compression… READ MORE Eli Crews
“This is a high-headroom, high-speed, high-fidelity analog unit. And once you hear it in action, you’ll understand how useful that kind of design can be.”
“From hip hop to classic rock, I was able to bring a more aggressive back beat out of a variety of sources [with the Dangerous COMPRESSOR].”
“In my setup, the Smart Dynamics button is in all the time, and it seems to enable me to get just a little more level on my mastering for all those level- hungry clients without sacrificing the sense of dynamics.”
“The most remarkable feature is its uncanny ability to push the melodic elements of the mix forward while maintaining all the separation in the low end, which always seems to collapse when hitting other stereo compressors.”
“Very easy to use and performs superbly, controlling the dynamics in an extremely transparent but effective manner. Impressive.”
“The astonishing sense of transparency and complete absence of audible distortion, even when compressing hard, are seriously impressive.”
“Effortlessly transparent and accurate, yet still musical and enthralling: all the characteristics that define top-flight analogue circuitry.”
“The COMPRESSOR’s potential dynamic range is an impressive 120dB, while distortion is below 0.005 (THD+N) and 0.007 percent (IMD).”
“Whether working on a solo voice or a complete stereo mix, the COMPRESSOR reigns in the dynamics effortlessly and naturally and, in many cases, so well that I questioned whether it was switched in! The same was true of percussive and transient elements: no holes,… READ MORE Hugh Robjohns
“As a bus compressor, the COMPRESSOR does a superb job of gluing all the elements together to form a cohesive sound, and it does this without ever sounding controlled or constrained; it always seems to sound open and transparent, crisp and clean.”
“Smart Dyn mode handles loud transients seamlessly, almost negating the need for a separate limiter.”
“On vocals, the COMPRESSOR is sublime – it’s one of the most natural and inaudible compressors I’ve ever used, even with quite heavy-handed ratio and threshold settings.”
“The COMPRESSOR stands alone in its class, offering a unique hybrid of features, functionality, and flexibility.”
“The Smart Dynamics feature is mind-blowing!”
“With its feature set, the Dangerous COMPRESSOR would be equally useful through all steps of the recording process- tracking, mixing, and mastering.”
“Transparency, accuracy, stereo image integrity, ease of use, and performance are all a part of what this new stereo compressor brings to the market.”
“The auto attack and release is so intelligent, that I had a hard time producing a better sound with manual adjustments.”
“I’m really enjoying the sounds I’m getting, and the amazing versatility of the COMPRESSOR!”
“The Side-Chain facility that’s built into the COMPRESSOR [is] very well implemented. Just having that facility integrated and being able to go with their relatively gentle high-pass filter – or something a little bit more specific if that’s what you need – that makes it… READ MORE Jonathan Wyner
“The Smart Dynamics feature helps address the level issue in a really great way that let’s me use less of, or even turn off, my digital limiter!”
“The sound of the signal path through the Dangerous COMPRESSOR, and the quality of the sound even when you just deploy the gain, is really quite lovely.”
The smart dynamics feature helps address the level issue in a really great way that let۪s me use less of or even turn off my digital limiter.”
“The sound of the signal path through the Dangerous COMPRESSOR, and the quality of the sound even when you just deploy the gain, is really quite lovely.”
“It gives a subtly warm presence while remaining open and retaining transparency. The sound of the box is superlative.”
“The detector is so very smooth, it reminds me of the classic compressors we have all come to love. The Auto-Time constants, the attack and release, work very well.”
“It’s super transparent. It’s amazing.”
“The side chain options are very useful and easy to engage, and the stereo imaging is amazing!”
“Transparency is not a dirty word and this compressor is full of it. It can be so gentle you would barely hear it, OR it can compress hard and yet it keeps the sound in tact and doesn’t break up or get grainy.”
“A must have in my world. It۪s a refreshing
complement to the currently fashionable
boxes that indiscriminately add color.”
“It’s super quick and easy to determine where it will sound best at the push of a button. It’s so versatile that I can get it to feel like an SSL buss compressor or it can be grabby۪ or I can get it to stay… READ MORE Michael James
“The very final piece that covers my ass, and makes sure a record can go to mastering without unwanted distortion, is the Dangerous COMPRESSOR.”
“I love the fact that the box is both easy and deep. It’s like driving a Ferrari with an optional autopilot.”
“Multiple sidechain options, the innovative ‘Smart
Dynamics’ feature, and the signature transparent musicality Dangerous brings to all their products- we have a winner!”
“This baby is a game changer. I’ve got plenty of compressors at my place, but just the fact that we have the ability to monitor the sidechain here, and we’ve got low cut and a sibilance boost, AND if that’s not enough, there’s an external… READ MORE Mike Wells
In the unlikely case of drift, you can readjust your meters using the recessed trim on the back of the unit. Without anything connected to the input and after the unit has been on for 2-4 hours, select VU/COMP button and turn screwdriver in appropriate… READ MORE My analog meter is off.
“I’ve never in my life used a compressor where I felt confident using it on every master… until now! Plus it just looks great. Makes me smile every time I sit down at my desk.”
“I’ve never in my life used a compressor where I felt confident using it on every master… until now! Plus it just looks great. Makes me smile every time I sit down at my desk.”
“If your job description includes any kind of mastering work, you need to put this magazine down, go call your local retailer, and arrange for a demo immediately!”
“It kept the bass sounding raw and natural, yet thickened it upnot with added tone, but tight control. Very cool!”
“My hands-down blown-away moment came when tracking a vintage Gibson acoustic guitar, where it really helped the fingerstyle playing and strumming stay controlled, yet nicely pop forward in a smooth solid way.”
“This compressor is top-drawer in every way.”
“This is without a doubt the most transparent compressor I have ever used, and the more I learn it, the more uses I find for it.”
“The visceral feel, and the look and aesthetic is beyond a step up. It’s next level. The minute I get that thing in my rack it’s going to be the centerpiece. It’s gorgeous.”
“Had been mixing in the box for 10 years. Bought a Dangerous 2-BUS and SOURCE and now i am the happiest man in Glasgow. Amazing equipment, the Dangerous COMPRESSOR is next.”
“The Dangerous COMPRESSOR opens up the top end, makes it more exciting and gives a euphoric sound, which is both subtle and complex.”
“I put the Dangerous COMPRESSOR on after everything and the mix starts to sound together.”
The Dangerous COMPRESSOR highlights a lot of the melodic elements of the mix in a way that just lets them sparkle. It’s so clean, but it has a certain vibe that is just so gorgeous.
“I love this compressor! It۪s perfect on hip hop, R&B tracks, vocals, drums & the mix buss. It does it all.”
“If I were able to conjure up the compressor of my dreams, I۪m pretty sure this would be it. It just works.”
When Stereo is engaged on the Compressor, only the Threshold and Gain controls are linked. Attack and release remain independent when manual mode is engaged and the Compressor is in Stereo mode.
“It seems to do a lot. Fantastic sounding. It can be subtle, but also knock your socks off with variations of the sidechain path. Sounds like a beautiful box.”