Meet the Beast of Modern Optical Compression
Whether you deploy it on individual tracks or strap a pair across your mix bus or mastering chain, the Burl Audio BC5000 Bigfoot is a solid-state optical compressor with a sound that’s as legendary — and as massive — as its Sasquatch-ian namesake. The Bigfoot is elevated by Mothership-derived I/O circuitry, reinforced by switchable transformers at both ends, and an all-discrete transistor, Class A, direct-coupled design with a fully balanced circuit path. Moreover, the FET-based Limit feature tames fast transients, while the sidechain highpass filter keeps low-frequency signals from dominating the compressor’s behavior. You also get a de-esser, a switchable high-frequency boost, and a stereo Link feature. Boasting audiophile-quality stepped controls and a hard Bypass feature, the BC5000 Bigfoot delivers exceptional peak control and musical dynamic shaping that sounds superb on any sound source, from tracking through final mastering.
Related Videos: BC5000 Bigfoot Optical Compressor
An opto compressor that does it all
Optical compressors are prized for their natural, musical response, yet most designs still trace their roots to the ‘60s and ‘70s, with little significant evolution since. Leveraging years of analog expertise and decades of real‑world production experience, Burl Audio set out to change that with the BC5000 Bigfoot. Designed to deliver top-caliber results on everything you run through it, this solid-state optical compressor imparts the musical body engineers expect from optical compression while effortlessly taming high‑level peaks before the A/D conversion — all with outstanding tone, an exceptionally low noise floor, and flexible dynamics processing that excels in tracking, mixing, and mastering alike.
Built on Burl’s uncompromising NextGen Analog platform
The BC5000 Bigfoot is a solid‑state optical compressor, built around Burl Audio’s state‑of‑the‑art NextGen Analog design. Its all‑discrete, Class A, direct‑coupled architecture features a fully balanced signal path from end to end, using the same mastering‑grade circuitry found in Burl’s BAD4M and BDA4M Mothership cards. Moreover, audiophile‑quality stepped Input and Output attenuators, along with stepped Threshold, Attack, Release, and Ratio controls, ensure precise recall and repeatable results. Finally, the Bigfoot includes a hard Bypass feature that preserves absolute signal integrity when the unit is disengaged.
Designed to enhance, not just compress
Far more than a simple one-trick yeti, the Burl Audio BC5000 Bigfoot flaunts a host of tone-enhancing features. For starters, this multifaceted opto compressor includes switchable BX1 and BX5 transformers on its input and output, respectively, along with a switchable FET-based Limit feature, making it ideal for taming large transients without audible pumping. At Sweetwater, we’ve found that combining compression and limiting in a single box significantly enhances our mixing and mastering workflows. Next, the sidechain highpass filter safeguards low-frequency signals against overactive gain reduction. Additionally, the Bigfoot includes a de-esser circuit to clean up vocal sibilance and a switchable high-frequency boost to bring life to dull tracks with a 10kHz clarity bump. Lastly, a stereo Link feature allows you to use two Bigfoots in tandem.
Burl Audio BC5000 Bigfoot Features:
- 1-ch. solid-state opto compressor built around Burl Audio’s state‑of‑the‑art NextGen Analog design
- Mothership-derived I/O circuitry with all-discrete transistor, Class A, direct-coupled architecture and a fully balanced circuit path
- Switchable BX1 and BX5 transformers on the input and output, respectively
- FET-based Limit feature tames fast transients
- Sidechain HPF keeps LF signals from dominating the compressor’s behavior
- De-esser circuit cleans up vocal sibilance
- Switchable HF boost brings life to dull tracks with a 10kHz clarity bump
- Stereo Link feature allows you to use 2 Bigfoots in tandem
- Audiophile-quality stepped controls ensure precise recall and repeatable results
- Hard Bypass feature preserves absolute signal integrity when the unit is disengaged
