Burgin McDaniel Design (BMD) Komit - S/N Matching pair! RARE

Up for sale is a rare, factory serial-matched pair of Burgin McDaniel Design (BMD) Komit 500-Series modules.

Designed by Kevin Burgin and Travis McDaniel (former engineers at Rupert Neve Designs), the Komit is a boutique, high-end feed-forward VCA compressor paired with an old-school diode-bridge clipping limiter. It features full-size discrete components and custom Hammond broadcast transformers on the output.

These original Burgin McDaniel Design (BMD) hand-built units were produced in tiny quantities, making a matched pair extremely hard to come by. They sound fantastic linked on a drum bus or stereo mix bus, as well as individually on vocals, bass, and electric guitars.

Key Features

- Auto-Tracking RMS Compressor: 3-position toggle switch (Slow, Medium, Fast auto-tracking attack/release times) paired with an automatic gain-makeup circuit. Once set, adjusting the compression ratio automatically maintains your gain level.

- Diode-Bridge Limiter (BDCL): Features a dedicated 20:1 ratio brickwall diode-bridge clipping limiter at the end of the signal path. Can be set for gentle peak catching or pushed into warm, vintage analogue drive/saturation.

- Transformer Output: Loaded with heavy-duty Hammond broadcast-grade transformers for rich bottom end and classic analog mojo.

- Moving-Coil Metering & True Bypass: Features vintage-style backlit moving-coil meters and a true hardwire relay bypass.

Technical Specifications

- Module Format: Standard API 500-Series VPR Alliance compliant

- Circuit Architecture: Feed-Forward VCA Compressor + Bridge Diode Clipping Limiter (BDCL)

- Output Stage: Transformer-balanced (Hammond Broadcast Transformer)

- Compression Ratios: Continuously variable from 1:1 to 10:1 (Up to 25:1 in Brickwall mode)

- Limiter Range: +4 dBu to +21 dBu threshold

- Max Output Level: +22 dBu

- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (-2 dB @ 20 Hz)

- THD + Noise: 0.025% @ 1 kHz

- Current Draw: ~72 mA per unit (±16 VDC)

What Engineers & Reviewers Say

Alan Tubbs (Tape Op Magazine):

"The Komit stirred up a local buzz when Stuart Sullivan of Wire Recording in Austin wouldn't send the prototype back... On the snare, the Komit produced a crack like it is supposed to, and the bass drum punched like a heavyweight. There is just something about high-quality transformers and an all-discrete path between you and your computer that software still can't duplicate."

Stuart Sullivan (Grammy-Nominated Engineer, Wire Recording Austin):

"The design brings that unmistakable old-school Rupert Neve Designs lineage straight into a 500 rack. It gave my drum tracking an instant, effortless vibe."

Front End Audio Tech Review: "A versatile, high-fidelity feed-forward compressor... The Komit provides automatic gain makeup so once your operating level is set, the amount of compression is variable with just one knob, providing a wide range of color from subtle to bold."

ZenPro Audio Gear Review: "Originally produced in the USA by a small operation called Burgin McDaniel... it gives you that tight FET/VCA control while the diode-bridge section adds a smoothing ability that feels almost like an optical design with serious mojo."

Pro Audio Buyer & Gearspace Community Consensus:

"If you want an analog compressor that lets you dial in punch fast without spending 10 minutes tweaking attack and release pots, the Komit is a secret weapon. The auto-tracking detector just gets it right."

Condition & Pricing

- Condition: Excellent cosmetic and working condition. Smoke-free, climate-controlled studio environment.
- Included: (2) Burgin McDaniel Komit 500 Modules with sequential serial numbers.
- Location: Local pickup/drop off near Kitchener/Guelph, drop off in the Greater Toronto Area also available; and willing to ship insured at buyer’s expense anywhere in the world if required (shipping to be calculated)

Check out my other ads for 500-Series gear!