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Tube-Tech SMC 2B Stereo Multiband Opto Compressor

Stereo Multiband Compressor with Stereo Sidechain Inputs and Discrete All-tube Opto-compressor-based Circuitry
$5,220.00

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Tube-Tech SMC 2B Stereo Multiband Opto Compressor
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Multiband Compression with Awesome Tube Punch!

When you run your sound through a Tube-Tech SMC 2B stereo multiband compressor, you hear results no other processor can deliver. This compressor is beyond powerful — run your tracks, mix, or live sound mains through it, and it will pump your music up! At Sweetwater, we spent a day playing with these powerhouse dynamics units, and everybody was raving about them. It's no wonder many top mixing and mastering engineers swear by their SMC 2Bs. As soon as you hook one of these remarkable compressors up, you'll be blown away by its impact.

Using musically smooth 6dB/octave crossovers and three independent stereo opto-compressors on discrete all-tube signal paths, the SMC 2B treats your sound with multiband compression that's both colorful and incredibly punchy. It has all of the standard controls you'd expect from a compressor, including Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release and Makeup Gain, plus LED gain-reduction meters for each channel as well as post-summing output gain and stereo balance controls. Only the sidechain path and the power supply are solid state, so you know your audio will get the full benefits of the SMC 2B's tube circuitry. So, if you want incredible all-tube multiband opto-compression that lets you get more from your music, you need a Tube-Tech SMC 2B!

Tube-Tech SMC 2B Stereo Multiband Compressor Features at a Glance:
  • All-tube opto-compressor-based multiband compression
  • 3 bands per channel, with variable crossover frequencies between bands
  • Variable Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, and Gain controls for all 3 bands
  • Stereo sidechain
  • Master output gain (off to +10dB)
  • Balance control (+/-1,5dB)
  • LED display shows gain reduction
  • Conductive plastic potentiometers
  • Clickless bypass relay
  • Frequency response at -3dB: 5Hz to 60kHz
  • Low noise: < -60dBu at 10dB gain
The Tube-Tech SMC 2B delivers hard-hitting all-tube multiband opto-compression that top engineers trust!

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube Opto-compressor
  • Number of Channels: 2-channel, Stereo
  • Controls: Hi, Mid, and Low Band Controls for: Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Gain
  • Threshold: -20dB to 0dB
  • Ratio: 1.5:1 to 10:1
  • Frequency Response: 5Hz-50kHz @-3dB
  • Inputs: 2 x XLR
  • Outputs: 2 x XLR
  • Rack Spaces: 3U
  • Height: 5.25"
  • Depth: 8.1"
  • Width: 19"
  • Weight: 12.7 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: SMC2B

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 4.5/5

SMC 2B has great versatility!

I purchased the SMC 2B from Julien's Auctions from the estate of Greg Lake. When it arrived it had a broken low frequency gain pot which for me was a fairly easy fix. Despite the complaints on these pots, they are expensive at 40 bucks each! (The SMC 2B DOES require recalibration after any service, tube swaps, etc, so know your "tech" if you plan to do self service! )

Having said all that, I gave it a thorough testing after signal calibration, and must say, it's got a lot going for it. The one place where it does not impress me is the top end of the signal. It's just a little too easy to overdo that aspect. It can be used to add that sparkle and shine to a mix, but it's a tough frequency to dial in and be happy with on this unit. On my SSL Fusion, I find it much easier.

For the midrange and bottom end, it has a LOT of flexibility, and you can push this unit HARD. I pushed a hard signal through it with 42 tracks of LOUD drums, and a maxed out master bus, and it was smooth and creamy throughout. It made everything sound "better" without a lot of effort, and it took just a few minutes to get "there".

Another reviewer hated the pots. Fair. They are conductive plastic, and not all that much friction in the pot make it easy to overshoot and hard to repeat. For the solution to that issue, you want the mastering version. The ONLY difference is the Mastering version has stepped Potentiometers, but you do NOT get the fine control you may need. I bought the unit as a compliment to my already very good outboard gear, and couldn't be happier with it.

The unit comes with JJ tubes, which are not the best. I may upgrade to Gold Lion Platinum matched octet, but for now, the unit works very well, and despite the cheap tube complement, one could not point tt at that as a design flaw. It's a good enough tube for the job, and has very low noise and distortion to my ears.
Music background: Professional Musician, Mix Engineer
Rated 4/5

Good, Bad and the Ugly!!

Good news, It gives a 3D effect to your Masters! Hands Down.
Bad news, Chinese tubes!!!!!!!
For this price, why cant tube-tech spend a few extra bucks on decent tubes!!! And if you try to replace with better tubes, i hope you know how to re-bias them, best of luck!!
I must comment on the negatives, cause that's what people really want to hear when purchasing a expensive piece of gear like this. The knobs spin way too easy, easier than all other high end outboard equipment. If you fart, the knobs will spin!! Nothing is stepped at all here. Also, the X-over low has overlapping filters. Its hard to explain, but its important to have steep cross-over points so that the Sub band doesn't trigger the mid band compression. Unfortunately the cross over filters are way to broad. Not good for hip-hop or hard hitting dub-step. Also, it could use a faster attack, you loose a little bit of punch with this unit but acceptable. I would recommend this unit because there isnt many multi-band compressors to choose from, IMOP there isnt a better 3-band compressor out there. I would love to see a 4 or 5 band compressor outboard for sure. Stay up!!
Music background: Best unsigned producer in San Diego, no doubt!
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