Black Lion Audio Seventeen 500 FET Compressor

What is the Black Lion Audio Seventeen 500 FET Compressor?
The Black Lion Audio Seventeen 500 FET Compressor is a modern reimagining of the classic 1176 FET limiting amplifier, now in a 500 Series format. Designed to combine vintage character with modern technology, the Seventeen 500 offers an impressive sonic range. It features a redesigned IC-based front end paired with Black Lion Audio’s custom output transformer, giving it the ability to deliver clean, transparent compression when used lightly, or a rich, harmonically complex tone when pushed harder. This versatile compressor is perfect for a wide range of applications, from tracking vocals and drums to processing bass guitar.

Modern Technology Meets Vintage Sound
What makes the Seventeen 500 stand out is its combination of modern improvements and vintage sound. The custom output transformer, made in Chicago, provides massive low-end punch and focus that is often missing in more traditional designs. This transformer works hand-in-hand with the updated IC front end, offering a clean and modern sound at lower compression levels, and when the unit is driven harder, it imparts a warm, vintage-style harmonic character that many engineers desire. The result is a compressor that adapts to the sound you're looking for, whether you're going for subtle compression or looking to add some vintage vibe to your mix.

Advanced Features for Precision Control
The Seventeen 500 offers more than just traditional compression. It includes a frequency-adjustable sidechain, as well as selectable highpass and lowpass filters, providing you with enhanced control over the frequency response of your compression. This allows for precise tailoring to different instruments or vocal tracks, helping to focus the compression on the frequencies that matter most while minimizing unwanted side effects. Additionally, the wet/dry mix knob allows for New York or parallel compression, so you can blend the compressed signal with the original for more flexibility and dynamic range in your sound.

Low Noise, High-Quality Components
In keeping with Black Lion Audio’s reputation for exceptional build quality, the Seventeen 500 features proprietary power decoupling to ensure a very low noise floor. The high-grade Nichicon capacitors used in the Seventeen 500 are among the best in the industry, offering the utmost in reliability and superior sound clarity. This attention to detail in both design and component choice guarantees that the Seventeen 500 will maintain a clean, transparent sound across a wide range of compression settings. Whether you're tracking a subtle vocal take or applying heavy compression to a bass line, you can rely on the Seventeen 500 to provide pristine audio.

Versatile Compression for a Range of Applications
Whether you are mixing, tracking, or mastering, the Seventeen 500 is a highly adaptable tool. The unit’s adjustable attack and release times allow you to precisely control how quickly the compressor responds to the audio signal. With a range from 20ms to 800ms for attack, and 1200ms to 50ms for release, you can achieve everything from punchy, fast compression to smooth, slow dynamics processing. The Seventeen 500’s ability to handle a wide variety of tasks makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned engineers alike, adding depth and character to any recording.

Stereo Link Functionality for Enhanced Mixing
For engineers working on stereo tracks, the Seventeen 500 offers stereo link functionality, allowing you to link two units together for seamless compression across a stereo mix. This feature ensures that the compressor reacts equally to both channels, maintaining a balanced, consistent sound across the left and right tracks. This is ideal for applications such as stereo drum overheads, stereo guitar tracks, or any other instance where you want to apply identical compression to both sides of the stereo field.