Description
Made in the USA, dbx VCA inside, basic front panel…. on first glance the CL-50E doesn’t promise much, but it definitely delivers
It’s very like a dbx 160X but with attack & release controls. It gives the same snap to drums as a dbx,and can be provoked into lovely pumping noise on snare drums & rooms. Release works best set at minimum and the attack control allows transients through when set slow, or flattens them on the fastest setting
It’s a peak-detecting compressor with no over-easy or RMS detector functions. The sidechain has send & return jacks so it’s easy to patch in a sidechain equaliser. There is provision for stereo linking
The Gain control sets threshold. Output Level control is active even in bypass. The rest of the controls (Ratio, Attack, Release) are conventional. Gain reduction is shown on an LED meter which has a useful yellow “Threshold” indicator to show the point at which the unit tips over into compression
This a flexible, adaptable, Swiss Army Knife of a compressor at a bargain price
“That is my lead guitar compressor of choice…I was getting laughed at
the other day…I had to do a guitar solo and recut a bass…so I
brought a rack with an EAR 660 and an Ashley SC-50…the EAR was for the bass…(cost wise they are at different ends of the spectrum).” – Fletcher
“So I had the chance to us one of these compressors on drums and I love them! Also, super smooth on vocals. I had some other high end comps to use and this one won out on several occasions”
“The only compressor I’ve had for a few years now. Surprisingly good, and quiet”
“I have used them for a very long time and they are just great. For some reason they do not seem to get the love and attention that other brands receive”
Refurbished & recapped in our workshops: these turned up with some broken pots so they have mostly new pots, upgraded power supplies and have been recapped throughout with bipolar caps in the audio path. They have been switched to 220V for the UK / EU
Tested & working 100%.Photos show the compressor for sale
