Description
The Black Lion Seventeen 500 offers the signature warmth, punch and clarity of a classic ’76-style compressor, expertly reimagined for the modern studio. Designed as a 500-series adaptation of Black Lion’s acclaimed Seventeen rack unit, this compact module retains the sonic integrity of its full-sized sibling while adding a level of portability perfect for mobile rigs and modular workflows. Unlike vintage units, which can be inflexible or noisy, the Seventeen 500 delivers rich, nuanced dynamics with modern precision, all without sacrificing the character that engineers love from the original hardware.
This is not a clone, nor is it a compromise. It is a bold, forward-thinking interpretation that builds upon the foundation of the original ’76 limiter with carefully engineered improvements. With added features like a wet/dry mix knob, frequency-selectable sidechain high-pass filter and stereo-link capabilities, the Seventeen 500 goes well beyond vintage expectations. Whether you’re tightening vocals, smoothing out drums, or adding punch to a mix bus, this unit provides detailed control in a compact format, making it a vital tool for professionals who demand premium tone in a space-saving design.
Key Features:
- Modern Classic Compression:
Inspired by the iconic ’76 but enhanced with today’s technology for added precision, lower noise and more tonal versatility. - Extended Control Options:
Features wet/dry mix control, a frequency-selectable sidechain filter and stereo-link mode for greater flexibility in shaping your sound. - 500-Series Format:
Compact design fits neatly into any 500-series rack, making it perfect for portable and modular setups without sacrificing performance.
Bold Reimagining of a Studio Icon:
The Seventeen 500 isn’t just a shrunken replica of vintage gear. It’s a thoughtfully updated take on what a classic FET compressor could be with modern design principles and premium components. By retaining the spirit and aggression of a ’76 limiter while refining it with improved transient response and added control features, Black Lion has created a powerful tool that works equally well on vocals, drums, guitars and full mixes.
Creative Tools for Flexible Workflows:
With a suite of added features not found on the original units, the Seventeen 500 allows users to tailor dynamics processing with exceptional accuracy. The wet/dry mix knob introduces built-in parallel compression, while the stereo-link function makes it ideal for mix bus applications. A sidechain high-pass filter with variable frequency ensures that low-end information doesn’t overwhelm compression thresholds, especially useful for kick-heavy material.
Built for Modern Studios and Mobile Rigs:
Designed to integrate seamlessly into any 500-series chassis, the Seventeen 500 is ideal for space-conscious producers, live engineers or mobile recording setups. Despite its smaller footprint, the unit sacrifices none of the tonal character, punch or control Black Lion Audio is known for. Its road-ready design and intuitive layout make it a reliable companion both in studio racks and live sound environments.
Specifications:
- 500-series format mono compressor
- FET-based design inspired by classic ’76 units
- Wet/dry mix control for parallel compression
- Stereo-link function for paired operation
- Variable frequency sidechain high-pass filter
- Input, output, attack, release, and ratio controls
- True hardware bypass
- Balanced XLR I/O via 500-series rack
- Custom output transformer for added harmonic content
