Black Lion Audio - Seventeen 500 Compressor

The Black Lion Seventeen 500 is not just another replica of the legendary '76 compressor. It retains the spirit of the legendary compressor, but has been redesigned with a contemporary eye: a precise sound, a wider palette of textures and, above all, much more up-to-date functions. This 500-format module delivers powerful, distinctive compression that's also nuanced, with a rare ability to combine character and transparency depending on the settings you choose.

At the heart of this Seventeen 500, a redesigned input circuit based on a modern IC replaces the traditional stages to deliver both punch and clarity, particularly in light compression. When pushed a little harder, the response changes subtly, revealing a warmer, more pronounced vintage feel. A remarkable balance, reinforced by the custom-designed output transformer in Chicago.

But where this module really stands out is in its thoughtful additions: an integrated wet/dry mix knob for direct parallel compression, an adjustable high-pass filter on the sidechain (off / 100 Hz / 200 Hz), and of course a stereo link for use as a pair on a master bus. It also features the famous 'All Buttons In' mode, but with much more user-friendly ergonomics than before.

In terms of construction, Black Lion's commitment to quality is evident, with quality components such as Nichicon capacitors, optimised power supply decoupling to limit noise, and a balanced frequency response down to 22 kHz.

A bold, versatile 500 version that lets you exploit the full potential of this studio classic without sacrificing modernity.