Burl Audio BC5000M-S BIGFOOT Optical Compressor with FET Limiting – Matched Stereo Mastering Version

The Burl Audio BC5000M-S BIGFOOT is the matched stereo mastering version of Burl’s solid-state optical compressor with FET limiting, built for stereo bus and mastering work. Like the BC5000M, it uses stepped attenuators on every control, an optical compression element, and a fully balanced, all-discrete class-A signal path with switchable BX1 input and BX5 output transformers. A fast FET limiter (10 µs attack, 3 ms release) and soft clipping allow compression and peak control in one chain, backed by a switchable side chain low-cut, de-esser, and 10 kHz high boost. A stereo compression link and matched stereo configuration keep both sides of a program working together.

Key Features

• Matched stereo mastering version of the BC5000M
• Stepped attenuators on all controls
• Solid-state optical compressor with Threshold, Attack, Release, and Ratio controls
• Stereo compression link
• Ultrafast FET peak limiter (10 µs attack, 3 ms release) with a switchable fast FET limit circuit, designed to tame large transients without pumping
• Soft clipping of overdriven signals
• All discrete transistor, class-A, direct-coupled design
• Fully balanced circuit path, end to end, for low noise
• Burl NextGen Analog BOPA14 and BOPA11 op-amps
• Switchable BX1 input transformer and switchable BX5 output transformer
• Input circuit shared with the BAD4M mastering card and output circuit shared with the BDA4M mastering card
• Switchable side chain low-cut, de-esser, and 10 kHz high-frequency boost
• Hard bypass

Specifications

• Type: Solid-state optical compressor with FET peak limiter
• Version: BC5000M-S matched stereo mastering version (stepped attenuators)
• Compressor Controls: Threshold, Attack, Release, Ratio
• FET Limiter: 10 µs attack, 3 ms release, switchable
• Circuit Design: All discrete transistor, class-A, direct-coupled, fully balanced end to end
• Op-Amps: Burl NextGen Analog BOPA14 and BOPA11
• Input Transformer: BX1, switchable
• Output Transformer: BX5, switchable
• Input Circuit: Same as BAD4M mastering card
• Output Circuit: Same as BDA4M mastering card
• Side Chain Low-Cut: Switchable
• Side Chain De-Esser: Switchable
• High-Frequency Boost: 10 kHz, switchable
• Soft Clipping: Yes
• Stereo Link: Yes
• Bypass: Hard bypass