Description
Symetrix is an American company producing outboard & broadcast gear. Though not well known in the UK, they have a good reputation in America for cost-effective & well-engineered products
The CL-150 is a single channel VCA compressor / limiter in a neat 1U package. There are dedicated Send & Return jacks for the sidechain enabling an equaliser, etc, to be patched in to change the response of the dynamic control. Alternatively the Return jack can be used as a key input for ducking, pumping & etc
Attack and Release are variable via front-panel controls and there’s a switchable Auto attack/release setting. Compression Ratio and Threshold are variable. The final front-panel controls are an Output Gain control, System In (bypass) switch and a Stereo Slave switch. Gain Reduction is shown via an LED meter
Gain reduction is via the legendary Valley People TA-101 VCA, designed by Paul Buff – the man who gave us the Valley People Dynamite and the Gain Brain. As ever with compressors, it’s the sidechain that really determines the sound of the device and Symetrix have a deal of experience in this area
“The CL-150 is a phenomenal electric guitar compressor and doesn’t do too shabby on snare either “
“The subtly syrupy/chewy action makes this one a lot of fun to play through (at least if you’re a compressor nerd like me). It inspires me to groove… playing through it has a sort of fluid “bounce”. Quite musical and organic actually.”
“These are awesome and very fast utility compressors with Valley People VCA’s found in the Dyna-mite compressors. Just like the Symetrix 501 Stereo Compressor units that are highly coveted. If you want that Fast RMS compression like the Valley People Dyna-mite for your drum room mics or for parallel compression but you are on a budget this is a great option!!”
On test, I thought the CL-150 sounded great. There’s lots of scope in all the controls. Attack & release times are variable over a wide range and varying the compression ratio has an easily-audible effect – not always the case with cheap VCA compressors. The controls are all well-judged, which makes setting-up easy & accurate. It’s possible to make the Symetrix very subtle in operation or make it pump like fury. In that respect I liked it a lot
The CL-150 is built in a substantial steel chassis and the controls have a quality feel. It has both balanced and unbalanced connections so it’ll be equally at home in a studio rack or a home setup. Unlike some rivals, the CL-150 is quick & adaptable and and has no redundant features. I’d take it over any cheap dbx, Behringer or Alesis compressor. For smashing drums, or for recording vocals or bass, it really shines
Some models of Symetrix compressors have a plastic inlay on the front panel and others, like this one, have a metal front panel. This example is in excellent used condition with minimal rack rash or case marks. Knobs & switches are all original. This is a nice timewarp example of a CL-150. Tested & working 100%. Photos show a CL-150 sold previously
