Cranborne Audio Brick Lane 500 – 500-Series Modal PWM Compressor with 6 Compression Modes & Harmonic Stress Control

OVERVIEW

The Modal Compression Revolution

The Cranborne Audio Brick Lane 500 is a 500-Series analogue PWM Compressor with 6 operating modes and variable Stress control for harmonically-enriched compression effects.

A Technological Breakthrough in Dynamics Processing

The Brick Lane 500 represents a quantum leap in analogue compression – a fully-analogue PWM Compressor that transcends traditional dynamics control methodologies through its revolutionary Modal PWM Compression architecture.

Redefine your approach to dynamic processing with the Brick Lane 500 – where technological innovation meets musical expression.

Key Technological Innovations

PWM Compression for Ultimate Analogue Compression:

• Pure PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) analogue signal processing
• Minimises undesirable compression artefacts and distortion
• Infinite control of compression envelopes, onsets, and ballistics
• 100% analogue signal integrity with no digital conversion

Analogue Lookahead Technology:

• Quarter-wave predictive voltage detection provides an advanced transient anticipation mechanism
• Enables zero-latency dynamics control
• Prevents converter clipping with surgical precision
• Exclusive to POLISH mode for ultimate mastering-grade limiting

Proprietary Modal Compression Architecture:

• Six distinct compression modes:
  • VELVET
  • FLOAT
  • SMASH
  • TAME
  • GLUE
  • POLISH
• Full control of the compression mode and envelope from ultra-fast limiting to gentler & slower compression styles

Transient Harmonic Saturation:

• Proprietary ‘Stress’ control enables nuanced audio colouration for each compression mode
• Transforms compression into a creative instrument

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Revolutionary Modal PWM Compression Architecture

At the heart of the Brick Lane 500 lies its groundbreaking Modal PWM Compression technology – a paradigm-shifting approach that empowers audio professionals with unparalleled compression flexibility. Unlike conventional compressors, this innovative design allows for unlimited shaping of compression envelopes and styles – without compromise.

Modal Compression: The Sonic Transformation Engine

The Brick Lane 500 introduces six distinct compression characters, each meticulously crafted to deliver unique sonic signatures:

VELVET — Vintage Vari-Mu-style musicality with Tube-inspired harmonic compression, offering smooth, organic dynamic control with vintage tonal warmth and character.

TAME — Precision transient management with ultra-fast, transparent control and surgical dynamic precision.

FLOAT — Transparent Opto-inspired dynamics with moderate transparency and gentle, wavelike compression ballistics.

GLUE — Glue together all the elements of your mix with this on your master bus for gentle bus-style compression.

SMASH — FET-style transient dominance with aggressive dynamic reduction, and explosive punch and sonic impact.

POLISH — Ultimate mastering-style limiting with the cleanest, fastest analogue limiter with our “Analogue-Lookahead” technology.

The Compression Chameleon: A Modal Metamorphosis

Imagine a single compressor that isn’t just a compressor – but an entire compression arsenal compressed into one revolutionary module. The Brick Lane 500’s Modal PWM Compression is like having six legendary hardware compressors at your fingertips, each with its own distinct personality, sonic signature, and dynamic DNA. Each mode isn’t merely a setting; it’s an entirely different compression philosophy.

Every mode effectively rewires your patchbay and brings you a totally different style of compression, featuring unique compression ballistics that fundamentally transform the unit’s behaviour. Attack and release controls morph dramatically across modes – from glacially slow Vari-Mu-style curves to lightning-fast FET-like responsiveness. Compression ratios dance between gentle 2:1 nudges and aggressive 20:1 sonic obliterations. The knee characteristics shift from buttery-smooth rounded edges to razor-sharp precision.

Stress Control: A Sonic Shapeshifter

The ‘Stress’ control becomes a chameleon, radically changing its harmonic character and saturation profile in each mode. What adds subtle tube warmth in VELVET becomes a transient-destroying beast in SMASH, a mix-gluing agent in GLUE, and a loudness/clipping finaliser in POLISH. It’s not just a feature – it’s a sonic shapeshifter that redefines compression as a creative sound design and mixing tool.

Stereo-Link via OPTOSYNC

Brick Lane 500 features Cranborne Audio’s OPTOSYNC technology, enabling two Brick Lane 500 units to work as a perfect stereo pair for mixes and stereo sources.

Using OPTOSYNC, all controls are synchronised from the left unit to the right without cables or internal fixings. Switch OPTOSYNC for all slave units to ON, and its controls all synchronise to the master unit wirelessly using LED and optical communication. You can also use OPTOSYNC to link together multiple units for applying the same sonic footprint across entire summing mixers or multi-channel surround mixes.

Rugged Industrial Design And Automatic Calibration

With rugged and unique structural support, custom 41-way detented pots on every control, as well as Automatic Calibration of all analogue saturation paths, Brick Lane 500 is a timeless processor designed to be a constant audio-enhancer in your studio for years to come.

Engineering Precision Meets Musical Intuition

The Brick Lane 500 is not merely a compressor – it’s a sophisticated sonic instrument designed for audio professionals who demand absolute control and exceptional sound quality. Whether tracking, mixing, or mastering, this modal compressor adapts to your most demanding audio sculpting requirements.

FEATURES

• 500-Series Modal PWM Compressor meticulously developed by the Cranborne Audio team in the UK
• Custom PWM compression circuit and unique ‘Stress’ control for Harmonically-enriched compression effects
• 6 Compression modes – Velvet, Float, Smash, Tame, Glue, and Polish set compression ratio, knee, compression style, and compression rate of change.
• Threshold control and variable-range Attack and Release controls (altered per mode)
• 12-segment LED level meter and 12-segment LED Gain Reduction Meter
• 4 selectable sidechain HPF modes – OFF, 60Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz
• ±20dB Input and Output/Make-up Gain Level to tailor the compression and saturation character to the source
• OptoSync wireless communication between modules for linked controls during stereo operation
• ⅛” TRS socket for linking non-adjacent modules
• Circuit auto-calibration for perfect stereo matching between all modules
• True-bypass IN/OUT switching with complete or post input trim modes available on DIP switch
• Stepped, front-panel controls for quick recall and precise feel

TECHNICAL SPECS

All specifications are typical performance unless otherwise noted. All specifications are subject to change at any time. Tested with Audio Precision APx555.
Technical Data
Test Signal Path	APx555 (Line Out) – Input – Line Output – APx555 (Line In)
Max Input Level	+24dBu (<0.003% THD)
Max Output Level	+26.5dBu (<0.003% THD)
Frequency Response	±0.5dB, 2 Hz – 80 kHz
Noise Floor	<-100dBu (unweighted)
Dynamic Range	>118dB
Input Impedance	Line = 43 kOhms
Output Impedance	Line = 150 Ohms
Current Draw	140mA per rail – typical use case, 160mA per rail – max

Compression Specifications
Compression
Compression Element	Pulse Width Modulation
Switching Frequency	250kHz
Distortion (THD)	0dB Gain Reduction – <0.0006% THD+N, <0.00025% THD 5dB Gain Reduction – <0.00085% THD 10dB Gain Reduction – <0.00085% THD 20dB Gain Reduction – <0.00085% THD
Harmonics (Stress Control)	<20% THD depending on conditions
Frequency Range	200Hz – 6.2kHz
Sidechain Detection HPF	Selectable – 60Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, OFF
Minimum Attack Time (Standard)	6 nanoseconds (2 microseconds processing delay)
Minimum Attack Time (POLISH mode with Analogue Lookahead enabled)	6 nanoseconds (0 nanoseconds processing delay @ 20kHz)

Environmental
Operating Temperature	+1 to 35 degrees Celsius
Storage Conditions	-20 to 50 degrees Celsius
Dimensions & Weight
Unit
Width	170mm (6.6”)
Height	31mm (1.2″)
Depth	133mm (5.2″)
Unit Weight	0.4kg (0.9 lbs)
Shipping carton
Width	250mm (9.5″)
Height	200mm (7.8″)
Depth	100mm (4″)
Carton Weight	0.5kg (1.1lb)

DOWNLOADS & TUTORIALS

User Manual: Brick Lane 500 User Guide [PDF]

Recall: Brick Lane 500 ENIGMA Recall Sheet

Tutorials: Brick Lane 500 Tutorial Series