Classic Optical Compression, Reimagined for the 500 Series
Patterned after the legendary Joemeek SC2, the Trident Audio Developments SC2-500 reimagines the classic photo-optical compressor as a modern 500 Series module. Long revered for its smooth, musical, and character-rich dynamics control, this stereo opto will infuse vocals and instruments — and thanks to stereo-linked operation, drum overheads and full mixes as well — with cohesion, warmth, and presence. Moreover, its smooth Attack and Release behavior, combined with natural, organic gain reduction, delivers subtle control and palpable compression in equal measure, enabling you to deploy it in myriad applications with supreme efficacy. Boasting a fully analog signal path, intuitive controls, and versatile applications across recording, mixing, and hybrid studio environments, the Trident SC2-500 offers engineers, producers, and musicians seeking a reliable compressor with distinctive musical character a viable solution for achieving a classic sound profoundly steeped in musical history and heritage.
Hands-on dynamics control
The SC2-500 packs a lot of tone-shaping control into a compact 500 Series module. To start, it features dedicated Input Gain and Make Up Gain knobs, providing you with straightforward gain staging. The Compress knob dials in your compression threshold, while the Slope knob controls the compression ratio. Attack and Release knobs adjust the compressor’s behavior, and you get a Trans Attack switch for tailoring how the unit responds to transients. At Sweetwater, we housed the SC2-500 in a Radial Workhorse chassis, which allowed us to use the Workhorse’s rear Omniport jack as an insert point for sidechain operation. Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer if you’re curious about this setup.
Trident Audio Developments SC2-500 Features:
- Reimagines the legendary Joemeek SC2 as a modern 500 Series module
- Photo-optical design yields smooth, musical, and character-rich dynamics control
- Delivers subtle control and palpable compression in equal measure
- Infuses vocals and instruments with warmth and presence
- Stereo-linked operation lends cohesion to drum overheads and full mixes
- Dedicated Input Gain and Make Up Gain knobs provide straightforward gain staging
- Compress knob dials in your compression threshold
- Slope knob controls the compression ratio
- Smooth Attack and Release behavior
- Trans Attack switch tailors how the unit responds to transients
- Sidechain operation when used with a Radial Workhorse chassis (sold separately)
