The Purple Audio Action 500-Series FET Compressor is a FET
compressor reminiscent of the MC77 designed to work in standard
500-Series racks.
The Action features a constant impedance 600
ohm input attenuator feeding the input transformer, just like Purple
Audio's MC77 units. This makes the input more resistant to overload by
hot signals. After the input transformer, the signal is attenuated by
the same gain reduction FET as in the MC77. The attenuated signal is
buffered by our class A KDJ3 opamp, which feeds the output fader.
Lastly, Purple's class AB KDJ4 output opamp drives their custom
hexafilar nickel and steel output transformer. The total gain (with no
attenuation) is 45dB, just like the MC77.
Attack and release times
cover a broader range than the MC77, which can cause distortion - which
may or may not be what you are looking for. Use at extremes with
caution. The ratios are the same as the MC77, and the threshold moves up
as the ratio goes up, just like the MC77.
Stereo linking is
accomplished by cross connecting pins 3 & 6 on the edge connector.
On the Purple Sweet Ten, there is a second output 1/4″ that can be used
to link two Actions. The link is accomplished using a TRS to TRS cable
with tip on one TRS connecting to RING on the other TRS and vice versa.
Plug in the cable, flip the front panel switches and you are linked.
Non-Purple racks do not have an easy way to connect pins 3 and 6, and
will need modification to link two Action units.
Purple Audio Action 500-Series FET Compressor Features
- Input attenuator feeding input transformer
- Output level control
- Input and output tricolor LED metering
- Eight LED GR metering
- Five ratios including "All buttons in" mode
- Attack and Release controls
- True Relay Bypass
- Stereo Linking
- Compression on/off switch
- Discrete signal path
- Over Current Resettable Fused (prevents any module problem from affecting your rack)
- ROHS - Lead Free
Purple Audio Action 500-Series FET Compressor Specifications
- Total Gain: 45dBu
- Ratios: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, ∞:1 (All buttons in)
- Attack time: Variable from 800 to 20 microseconds
- Release time: Variable from 1.1 seconds to 50 mls
- Input impedance: 600 ohms
- Output impedance: 600 ohms
- Current consumption: 90ma
- Pinout:
- Pin 1: Chassis Ground
- Pin 2: Output A +
- Pin 3: Link In - (Purple Audio Rack Only - XLR OUT 2)
- Pin 4: Output A -
- Pin 5: Audio Ground
- Pin 6: Link Out - (Purple Audio Rack Only - XLR OUT 2)
- Pin 7: Input -
- Pin 8: Input -
- Pin 9: Input +
- Pin 10: Input +
- Pin 11: NC
- Pin 12: +15 or 16VDC 90ma
- Pin 13: Audio Ground
- Pin 14: -15 or 16VDC 90ma
- Pin 15: NC (+48VDC)