Cranborne Brick Lane 500 Modal PWM Compressor

The Brick Lane 500 redefines what’s possible in analogue dynamics processing. Built around revolutionary Modal PWM Compression architecture, this 500 Series powerhouse delivers six distinct compression personalities, from vintage Vari-Mu warmth to surgical mastering-grade limiting, all within a single module. Engineered in the UK by Cranborne Audio, it combines pure analogue signal integrity with unprecedented flexibility, making it equally at home tracking aggressive drum transients, gluing complex mixes, or finalizing masters with transparent precision.

Key Features

• Modal PWM Compression Architecture – Six distinct compression modes (VELVET, FLOAT, SMASH, TAME, GLUE, POLISH) each deliver fundamentally different ballistics, knee characteristics, and ratio curves for unprecedented sonic flexibility.
• Proprietary Stress Control – Variable harmonic saturation up to 20% THD that changes character per mode, from tube-inspired warmth to transient aggression to mix-gluing harmonics.
• Analogue Lookahead Technology – Quarter-wave predictive voltage detection in POLISH mode catches peaks before they occur, enabling zero-latency limiting that prevents converter clipping.
• Pure PWM Signal Processing – 250kHz switching frequency delivers vanishingly low distortion (<0.0006% THD+N) with 6-nanosecond attack times and 100% analogue signal integrity.
• OPTOSYNC Wireless Linking – Optical communication technology synchronizes two units as a perfectly matched stereo pair without cables, scalable to multi-channel configurations.
• Precision Engineering & Auto-Calibration – Custom 41-way detented potentiometers ensure perfect recall, while automatic calibration guarantees stereo matching and dual 12-segment LED meters provide clear visual feedback.

Specifications

• Compressor Type – Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), 250kHz switching frequency
• Maximum Input/Output Level – +24 dBu / +26.5 dBu
• Frequency Response – ±0.5dB, 2 Hz – 80 kHz
• Dynamic Range – >118dB
• Noise Floor – <-100dBu (unweighted)
• Attack Time – 6 nanoseconds minimum (0 nanoseconds processing delay in POLISH mode with Analogue Lookahead)
• Sidechain HPF – Selectable at OFF, 60Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz
• Input/Output Gain – ±20dB variable on both stages
• Metering – Dual 12-segment LED (level and gain reduction)
• Stereo Linking – OPTOSYNC wireless or 1/8″ TRS cable
• Input/Output Impedance – 43kΩ / 150Ω
• Current Draw – 140mA per rail (typical), 160mA per rail (maximum)
• Dimensions (W × H × D) – 38mm × 133.35mm × 172.3mm (1.50″ × 5.25″ × 6.78″)
• Weight – 0.4kg (0.88lb)