MAP CL-20 [500-Series] Compressor

The CL-20 appears deceptively simple at first blush, there’s only two controls, one for setting threshold and the other for setting make-up gain, and a meter monitoring gain reduction, but there’s quite a lot going on. The amount and the ballistics of the compression are set by the threshold level. Changes in the threshold level automatically adjust the attack and release times, simultaneously. The higher the threshold, the more subtle the compression. At lower threshold settings, the CL-20 is quite aggressive, like an 1176. Fast attack and fast release times. When adjusted to higher settings (past the 12 o’clock point), release times will slow down, however, for a much smoother, more transparent compression.

The CL-20 , like all the MAP 1731-based products, will add instant mojo and mid-century vibe to any track it’s applied to.

AudioScape is manufacturing MAP products again, bringing that classic mid-century vibe to the new millennium. In the early 70’s, MAP had descended from Melcor® Industries. When Melcor® abandoned the audio business for calculators around 1970, a group of their engineers carried on as Modular Audio Products, with the 1731® op amp at the heart of a range of products. Of course, these early discrete op amp beauties are highly sought after today. The CL-20 Compressor/Limiter joins the D.AM-27 Dual Mic Preamp in AudioScape's MAP lineup.

FEATURES & SPECS:

• VINTAGE STYLE FET COMPRESSION AT ITS FINEST
• VINTAGE MELCOR/MAP MODULAR CONSOLE FORMAT ADAPTED FOR 500 SERIES
• 3 QTY 1731 DISCRETE MAP OPAMPS, ALL THROUGH HOLE CONSTRUCTION LIKE THE ORIGINALS
• CL CONTROL, ONE CONTROL TO RULE THEM ALL, TAKES THE COMPRESSION BEHAVIOUR FROM AGGRESSIVE TO TRANSPARENT, EXACTLY LIKE THE ORIGINAL
• OUTPUT CONTROL, ADDS THE PROPER AMOUNT OF MAKEUP GAIN NEEDED AFTER COMPRESSION IS APPLIED
• BYPASS SWITCH, USED TO BYPASS THE ORIGINAL CIRCUIT, AND IS TRUE BYPASS
• 24MM ALPHA POTENTIOMETERS
• PERIOD CORRECT CARBON COMPOSITION RESISTORS IN THE AUDIO PATH ALONG WITH THE CORRECT POLY FILM CAPACITORS, ALL WHERE THEY BELONG

DOCUMENTATION:

• CL-20 QUICK-START