Featuring a hybrid tube/solid-state design, switchable input levels, and Manley IRON balanced-input transformers, the Nu Mu is a dual-channel compressor and limiter suitable for use on the stereo buss. The unit itself comes stocked with the same tube front-end of the well regarded Variable Mu—four hand-matched 6BA6 vacuum tubes on the valve side—while offering a FET solid-state amplifying and output stage, which provides its faster, punchier path. As such, it’s a compressor well suited for electronic pop productions, or other mixes where one desires a more transparent stereo-buss compressor, rather than a color piece.

The Nu Mu provides output controls for both the left and right channels, as well as independent bypass, threshold, ratio, attack, and recovery selectors. Both the attack and recovery settings are continuously variable, reacting to the music pumped through the channels. Still, you can roughly dictate how slowly or quickly these controls operate. You’ll note the independent three-position toggle switches, which dictate the input level, giving you a choice of +3, 0, or -3 dB. Separate VU meters can be configured to read gain reduction or overall output levels.

On the left of the unit, you’ll find a link button, which will turn the left channel into the master channel, thereby ganging threshold, attack, and recovery controls. In this way, you can achieve a cohesive stereo picture when processing a dual-channel source. On the right, you’ll note the HP SC switch, which operates the internal sidechain detector circuit, factory set to 100 Hz. This global control is useful for allowing bass signal to pass through the NU MU without triggering gain reduction, thereby securing yourself a fuller, more bass-heavy sound.

The unit provides two different ratios, one offering compression at approximately 3:1, and the other offering limiting at 10:1—or thereabouts; the ratio, like the attack and recovery times, is program dependent.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of this unit is the Hip control, accessible on the right side of the front panel. When engaged, the Hip control does not operate as hard on intrinsically louder signals as it does on audio with a lower amount of level, effectively allowing your louder material to shine through uncompressed. Using this circuit can obviate the need for parallel compression in certain situations. The unit takes up 2 RU of rack space and comes with its own power supply.

Dual Channel with Stereo Linking    Hybrid Tube and Solid-State Design    Suitable for Stereo Buss Compression    Capable of a Transparent, Punchy Sound    Approximate Ratios of 3:1 and 10:1    Adjustable Attack and Release Times    Hip Control for Preserving Dynamics    Level and Gain Reduction Meters    Sidechain High-Pass Filter at 100 Hz    2 RU Unit with Internal Power Supply

•Variable attack and release controls, which can be set between slow and fast

•2 ratios for compression or limiting

•Hip control for preserving dynamics of loud sections

•Suitable for use as a stereo-buss compressor on electronic production, or other material where clean, punchy gain-reduction is called for

•4 x hand-matched 6BA6 vacuum tubes with FET solid-state amp and output stage

•Stereo link establishes left-master dynamic control

•Illuminated stereo VU meters read gain reduction or output level

•High-voltage SMPS custom designed for Manley Labs' vacuum tube audio circuits

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can this be connected with USB ? Please explain how this connects either way. Thanks

A: The Creative Labs Stage 360, (B&H # CRST360) can connect over HDMI or Optical. While it does have a USB A port, this is only used for service purposes, it does not work for connecting anything else.

Q: 2. Can this unit be used to level the recording signal coming from my mixer to my Recorder. Raise the signal if it get to low and lower the signal if it gets to high? This is spoken word in Church?

A: Not designed for this purpose, but might work for this application. The only way to know for sure is to give it a whirl. Note: use only with unbalanced LINE level signals.

Q: 3. Would this be a good device for evening out the crazy volume levels on my tv?

A: Absolutely! Very simple...just set the Makeup Gain control at the 0 position, and set the Threshold to a level that brings down the extremely loud audio to a level near that of a normal listening level. If you hear the limiter pumping or breathing too much on louder program audio, lower the input level and tweak the Makeup Gain a bit to even things out. It works great for my hard-drive based music collection, which varies greatly in level due to the variety of formats and recording techniques used over the past 4 decades!

Q: 4. Is the screw that goes into the mic clip 5/8-27?

A: Yes, that should be a 5/8'' thread.

Q: 5. Will it hold a 635A microphone in place securely?

A: Yes, the Hamilton Stands KB810M Nu-Era Tabletop Mic Stand could be used with an Electro-Voice 635A Omnidirectional Handheld Dynamic ENG Microphone.

Q: 6. What specifically is this unit used for, How does it work. Then maybe I can try it out for what I need?

A: The Atlas Sound TSD-ALC2 - Audio Level Controller and Limiter is an automatic 2-channel audio level controller and limiter designed to allow designers and installers to set predetermined maximum source levels. The device is useful for installations with multiple program sources of varying output levels such as satellite receivers, MP3 players, and more.The unit is inserted in line with these sources so that the audience will not be distracted during high-volume commercial breaks or when different inputs are selected. The device is useful in retail stores, restaurants, sports bars, hotels, event centers, and other similar facilities.The device features unbalanced stereo RCA input and output connectors, a threshold level control, a ramp speed selector, and output gain adjustment controls. The unit also works well when used in conjunction with Atlas Strategy Series Mixer Amplifiers.The device is designed to be energy efficient and meets most energy standards. One 24 VDC power supply (sold separately) can power multiple units, depending on overall current requirements. The front-panel controls can be locked to prevent unauthorized changes using the included front panel security covers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------OWNER S MANUAL: https://a href= http://www.cie-group.com/files/tsdalc2_manl.pdf target= _blank www.cie-group.com/files/tsdalc2_manl.pdf/a

Q: 7. Is this compatible with Protools 10?

A: The IK Multimedia T-RackS 5 Dyna-Mu Compressor Software will run in digital audio workstations that support 64-bit AAX, AU, VST2, VST3 plugins. Natively, Pro Tools 10 supports only 32-bit plugins so T-TrackS 5 is not compatible with Pro Tools 10 but is compatible with Pro Tools 11.

Q: 8. I have 2 unrelated mono line level signals that I would like to level control. Can I use one TSD-ALC2 to do this?

A: You would need an Atlas Sound TSD-ALC2 for each of your sources to be able to individually control the level on those sources.

Q: 9. The recommended accessories for this microscope include batteries. Could you please advise why batteries are necessary? I assume that they are required for field work where there is no power supply, but this is not mentioned in the specification.

A: This model does not take batteries. My apologies for the confusion. I will contact the Web Team to take this accessory down.

Q: 10. Can the Rolls PM55P pass through Phantom power?

A: The Rolls PM55P Stereo Personal Monitor Amplifier with Optical Limiter (BH # ROPM55P) will pass PHANTOM POWER with no voltage or signal loss.