The Red 3 from Focusrite is a Class A, VCA-based dual mono/stereo compressor/limiter. The compressor/limiter features a single Class A VCA to achieve truly high class compression and limiting, free of the usual compromises.

A key input button switches control of the compressor to a signal entering the unit through the key input. By attenuating any problem frequencies in a second feed of a mix and sending that to the compressor's key input, the original signal is compressed as if the dominant instrument had been attenuated. This technique can be useful when compressing bass-heavy dance music.

In order to separate compression and limiting, the side-chain electronics contain three VCAs in series to generate compression and limiting control voltages which drive the main VCA. The result is true compression followed by limiting, rather than the more common characteristic of compression that turns into limiting.



Key Features

• Very transparent dual mono/stereo compressor/limiter

• Single-VCA design achieves high quality and truly independent compression and limiting

• Can operate as a discrete channel unit

• Side-chain electronics are class A, ensuring superb transient response

• Stereo switch for true stereo operation from a single set of controls

• Illuminated push-button switches for compressor/limiter in/out on each channel

• Precision VU metering of signal level or gain change