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Chameleon Labs 7721 Stereo VCA Compressor Demo

Stereo VCA Compressor with Peak/RMS Detection, Side Chain Highpass Filter, Soft/Hard Knee Switch, Threshold, Attack, Release, and Ratio Controls, and Dry/Wet Blend Control
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Bus Compression for Today's Hybrid Studio

In designing the 7721 Stereo VCA compressor, the engineers at Chameleon Labs began with a clean slate to develop a bus compressor for today's hybrid studio. Basing detection on a voltage control amplifier (VCA), and designing a circuit that provides low noise and transparency, the team created a device that does an excellent job of gluing your mixes together while delivering that elusive punch and perceived loudness that makes a mix blast out of the speakers.

Related Videos: 7721 Stereo VCA Compressor

Enhanced control set

The Chameleon Labs 7721 gives you an enhanced control set with all the classic settings in addition to controls usually found only on esoteric compressors. Soft/Hard Knee lets you switch between a gentler compression onset and a faster onset more akin to limiting. Peak/RMS Detection lets you switch between Peak and RMS detection schemes that behave quite differently. Peak detection engages compression by monitoring instantaneous peak voltage signals, while RMS looks at the average energy in the signal and compares it to the threshold setting. These are very different modes of operation that provide ideal solutions for specific problems.

If you are using a Side Chain signal as a compression trigger, you can tune the Highpass Filter to avoid pumping effects. Traditional Threshold, Attack, Release, and Ratio controls are provided, as well as a Dry/Wet Blend control that allows you to mix the original uncompressed signal with the compressed signal at output for instant parallel processing. Lastly, a VU Meter is provided with a switch to select between Left or Right Inputs, Left or Right Outputs, or Gain Reduction.

Analog audio for the digital age

Sweetwater is pleased to have Chameleon Labs in our stable of exceptional audio manufacturers. Chameleon Labs bills its latest generation of products "analog audio for the digital age." Since its founding in the early 2000s, the company has offered value-packed equipment that puts the organic sonic qualities of analog on full display — and this is borne out once you put a piece of Chameleon Labs gear through the paces in the studio. Their products' high level of performance does indeed belie the affordable prices, but things really get interesting when you realize just how high they've set the bar. Inviting comparisons with legendary ’70s-era British console modules is not for the faint of heart, however, that is the name of the game at Chameleon Labs.

Chameleon Labs 7721 Stereo VCA Compressor Features:

  • Stereo Input and Outputs
  • Voltage Control Amplifier (VCA) based detection circuit
  • Peak or RMS detection
  • Soft/Hard Knee switch
  • Side Chain input for secondary trigger source
  • Selectable Highpass Filter
  • VU Meter monitors input, output, or gain reduction
  • Threshold, Attack, Release, and Ratio controls
  • Dry/Wet Blend control
  • Fully balanced output stage

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Tech Specs

  • Type: VCA Compressor
  • Number of Channels: Stereo
  • Controls: Threshold, Attack, Release, Ratio, Blend, Output Gain
  • Threshold: -15dB to +15dB
  • Ratio: 1.5:1 to 10:1
  • EQ: Variable 20Hz-200Hz Highpass Filter
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.25dB)
  • Inputs: 2 x XLR
  • Outputs: 2 x XLR
  • Sidechain I/O: 1 x XLR
  • Side Chain Inserts: Secondary Trigger Source
  • Additional Features: Peak/RMS Detection
  • Rack Spaces: 1U
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 1.75"
  • Depth: 11.02"
  • Width: 19"
  • Weight: 9.7 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 7721

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Customer Reviews

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Chameleon Labs has itself a winner here and I won't be at all surprised when ...

My workflow the past few years has been Track Analog and Mix %100 In the Box. That's until recently when the 7721 made it worth it to change things up. I've been using the 7721 for months and LOVE it on everything from drums & guitars to piano and vocal busses. It's also now my main 2-buss compressor.

I've owned the "original" 7720 for about 10 years, and can attest that the 7721 is a big improvement! Not only does it sound better but it's also more flexible/versatile. 
Welcomed new editions: more useful/musical HPF settings, Peak or RMS detection, Soft or Hard Knee, Variable settings  (Attack, Release, and Ratio), multi-use VU Meter, Wet/Dry signal Blend, and very low noise.
Chameleon Labs has itself a winner here and I won't be at all surprised when we'll be seeing these orange, silver and blue knobs in studios everywhere in the years to come.

The only word of "warning" is that with the VU meter in GR (gain reduction), a little goes a long way, so as always, rely on your EARS and not your eyes.

The 7721 is not alone in the VCA Stereo Comp arena, but you'll be hard-pressed to find anything that sounds as good with as many features at this price point (let alone double or triple the $).
You won't be disappointed by this latest analog gem from Marcelo and the rest of Chameleon Labs crew.
Intelligent design, quality components, assembled by hand, from a company that stands behind its products. I can definitely get behind that!
by Paul Edwards on
Music background: Musician, Engineer, Producer

Control and Glue. Huge upgrade from the 7720

I quickly realized that is not a SSL bus compressor clone. It has way more features than an SSL. Its more transparent than my C1LA and wider stereo image than my API 529. All knobs have center detent, and are completely variable. So you can get in-between attack, release, and ratio settings making it very versatile. The input and output overload indicators are a nice touch. If you owned the 7720 you know how wild the ballistics are on the VU meter. Very nice ballistics on this meter. RMS detection is a unique feature. If you like the 7720 you'll love the 7721.
by Czar from nashville on
Music background: audio engineer

Great compressor

I was once like everyone else, ITB is the only path. Until the 7721 sits on the 2bus. Suddenly I hear the sonic difference between plugins and hardware. And the difference is huge. Excellent customer service. Nah, I mean EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE! Will purchase from Chameleon Labs/Dangerous Music again.
by James from Missouri on

Excellent, excellent value!

I had been looking to add a vca bus compressor to my studio that could pull double duty for tracking and mastering. I had been looking at a the Warm Audio bus comp but found the 7721's feature set much more to my liking. The meter is invaluable to me and the reviews that claim that the gain reduction metering is wonky make me question the users gain staging and expectations of a hardware VU meter (this isn't a plug in).
In use, I have found the noise floor thrilling low and the wet/dry blend is incredibly useful, particularly for pianos and raising the perceived volume while maintaining a natural sound.

I confess I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the 7721's total functionality but it clearly is a powerfully effective product. Very impressed with Chameleon Labs!
by Claudr on

Clean, poised, and silent.

My application is a bit different. I'm using this as part of my highend p.a. monitor/bass amp stack using some of the best horns and drivers available to diy'ers.

Main features I was looking for:
- Very low noise.
- Low/no coloration.
- Parallel compression.
- HP filter.
- Build quality.

I currently use a Grace Bix or Presonus RC500 as my preamp and a QSC PLD4.5 tri-amped for power. Passive wide bandwidth pickups into the di input.
This rig sounded amazing already and this compressor does a great job at reigning in dynamic range while adding punch. It does this without raising the noise floor over my other devices and without detracting from the character of whatever is running into it. I couldn't ask for more for my tastes. Studio signal quality at live sound levels.
I wanted the 7603 channel strip when it was announced years ago but couldn't justify it. Just might have to try one at this point.

Well done Marcelo and Chameleon Labs. Keep up the great work!
by Ernie Montalvo from Fresno, CA on
See also: Compressors, Chameleon Labs, Chameleon Labs Compressors / Limiters
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