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Fredenstein Artistic Leveler 500 Series Optical Compressor

1-channel Opto Compressor 500 Series Module with Multi-channel Link Capability
2 Write review Item ID: ArtisticLevel
$359.00

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Fredenstein Artistic Leveler 500 Series Optical Compressor
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Classic Opto Compression, Done Right

The Fredenstein Artistic 500 Series Leveler is a single-channel opto design with multi-channel link capability. The Artistic Leveler delivers the smooth sonic essence of classic optical circuits, but with modern refinements that include a quality, US-made steel-core transformer as well as Fredenstein's proprietary OPA2 op-amp and Reverse-Mancini Opto architecture. One of the first things you'll notice about this unit is that there is no interaction between Attack, Release, and Threshold controls! You'll find the other rotary controls — Input, Release, Ratio, Make-up Gain, and Wet/Dry Mix — instantly familiar. You can set Attack Time and the side-chain highpass filter in three steps. A toggle switch for Bypass and another for Link completes the feature set. An LED bar-graph meter indicates the gain reduction in a range of 1dB to 16dB.

Related Videos: Artistic Leveler 500 Series Optical Compressor

Big iron and the OPA2

The Fredenstein Artistic Leveler employs a US-made steel-core transformer, which is particularly critical to the sound of the unit, helping to deliver its punchy, vintage-inspired sound with clarity and detail. Also under the hood is Fredenstein's proprietary OPA2 op-amp. Not a clone of an older design; the OPA2 is new technology with matched, integrated dual input transistors that greatly improve upon the specifications of vintage op-amps. Like vintage units, however, it's a socketed design with industry-standard pin-out that you can swap without tools. The OPA2 (along with the high-quality transformer) is key to the Artistic Leveler's sonic wizardry. At Sweetwater, We've put the Artistic Leveler to the test, and we like what we're hearing. We think you will too.

Fredenstein Artistic Leveler Features:

  • Classic Opto compression, updated for the modern studio
  • Fredenstein's proprietary OPA2 op-amp and Reverse-Mancini Opto architecture
  • High-quality, US-made steel-core transformer
  • Input, Release, Ratio, Make-up Gain, and Wet/Dry Mix rotary controls
  • 3-position switches for Attack Time and the side-chain highpass filter
  • Toggle switches for Bypass and Link

Additional Media

500 Series Buying Guide
Signal Processing Buying Guide

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Tech Specs

  • Processor Type: Optical Compressor
  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Controls: Ratio, Release, Mix
  • Threshold: Fixed
  • Ratio: 2:1 to 7.5:1
  • Module Slot Size: Single
  • Power Usage: ±16V DC, ±75mA
  • Manufacturer Part Number: Artistic Leveler

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Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5

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Solid compression for an affordable price!

Summary:
The Fredenstein Artistic Leveler gets the job done without breaking the bank. If you're like me and want to get into the world of 500 series equipment without dishing out thousands on gear in the first go, get one of these units and be amazed at the warmth that it adds to your vocals and guitars. For only a bit more than the price of the Fredenstein the Artistic FET Compressor, you get a solid array of tones in the form of a vintage-inspired optical compressor.


In depth:
Since I'm the first reviewer of this product, I want to make sure I'm as thorough with this as possible.
There are many compressors available on this website, but few that come close to the price and efficiency of the Artistic Leveler. Opto compressors are from what I've gathered, the most reliable type when it comes to recording vocals due to their smooth characteristics. When I plugged mine in, I definitely understood why this is the case. The boost this unit provided to me was the thing I was missing from my past vocal mixes.

Design-wise, this thing is really sweet and looks great on my rack chassis. I love that this compressor uses a parallel mix blend, it gives you the perfect amount of control for finding the sweet spot. The attack time switch is also a nice addition and I frequently find myself experimenting with new presets depending on my instruments.

With 30dB of input range and a ratio between 1:5:1-7:5:1 you have a wide selection for injecting the sweet compressed tone into your recordings. I use one single unit at a ratio of 4:1, 25ms Attack, 0.4 release, input low, output high, halfway blended. Sounds like butter!

Sure, you could spend more money and get one of the more established name-brand 500 series modules. But truth be told, if your music is good, nobody's going to care what you mixed it on. It's all about the end product. The Artistic Leveler by Fredenstein will help you get there in an affordable and stylish way. Pair it up with a Fosucrite preamp and a DBX 520 DeEsser for the ultimate vocal combination.

Thanks to Geoff and the Sweetwater team for their constant help!
by J Thoubbs on
Music background: Self-produced Musician/Audio Engineer

Beats compressors twice the price

You really can't beat this compressor in this price range. It has every feature you need including a blend control which many high-end compressors don't have. I like the large gain-reduction LED which is always more accurate that a VU meter.

The only thing I thought was weird: it has a 3-way switch for the attack and a knob for the release. I would of rather had an inside-outside knob setup for those two controls. Also, the side-chain feature only works if you have the Fredenstein chassis with inserts in the back. For side-chaining, I think I'm better off just doing that task in the DAW. And, the LED stays on even when it's bypassed.

Overall, you can't go bad with this unit. You can get smooth compression or full on squashed. Just dial back the blend control and your tracks won't sound so smashed.
by Tortilla Man on
Music background: Always learning
See also: 500 Series Compressors, Fredenstein, Fredenstein 500 Series Dynamics
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