Steinberg Distributes Mindprint T-COMP

Stereo Tube Compresor with Optional 24-bit Digital I/O

September 24, 1999 -- Steinberg North America has announced a new hardware product from Mindprint. Steinberg North America will distribute the Mindprint T-COMP stereo tube compressor, a studio peripheral to capture the musicality of a performance by adding analog warmth to digital recordings.

T-COMP offers the possibility of tube saturation and features balanced, analog line inputs and outputs (studio level) in both XLR and ¼"-TRS formats. As with the MindPrint En-Voice, a digital input and output can be retrofitted to the unit using the 24-bit Mindprint DI-Mod (44.1 and 48 kHz), the same expansion module used for its predecessor. The analog inserts of the T-COMP are routed in such a way that any additional analog signal processing devices inserted into the signal chain by means of them can take advantage of an installed DI-Mod - no external digital converters would be needed. Since each channel of the T-COMP has its own set of controls, the T-COMP can be used for processing either a stereo signal or two separate mono signals.

Compression
The nature of the compression which the T-COMP stereo tube compressor delivers is impressive in its effectiveness, yet smooth and unobtrusive. Powered by a high-quality THAT-VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) which has been fine-tuned to interact with the tube, it generates uncolored compression as well as the typical overtone structure that you would expect of a premium tube device. To act as inconspicuously as possible, the T-COMP employs soft-knee compression. As the incoming signal level approaches the threshold point, the compression rate is gradually increased. When the level finally exceeds the threshold value, the signal is compressed at the ratio that you have dialed in. As a result, even when you choose to compress signals heavily, these are not "crushed" into submission, but are gently "squeezed" when the signal exceeds the threshold.

Filter
The Filter button activates a certain compression mode in which the compressor responds differently to different frequencies. Since the filter is not in the signal path itself but in a sidechain circuit, it has no EQ-like effect on the signal itself, but only governs how the compressor responds. The filter is tuned so that the compressor responds less aggressively to bass-heavy signals, thereby delivering results that are much closer to the way the human ear naturally "compresses" signals. When the filter is activated, compression seems more balanced, with silky, shimmering highs and improved high-frequency articulation.

Attack and Release Times
In addition to standard controls for adjusting attack and release times, T-COMP offers a unique Adaptive Mode for automatic program-dependent control. Adaptive Mode carefully and musically adapts attack and release times to handle everything from percussive material with fast transients to longer passages with slow fade-ins. The Attack and Release controls themselves remain active and are used to shape how the automated adaptive circuit responds.

The Mindprint T-COMP will be available from Steinberg North America in Q4 1999. Price TBA.

For more information, visit Mindprint on the web at www.mindprint.com.