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RJR VCA Stereo Bus Compressor

The RJR VCA is a sonically clean stereo VCA compressor capable of producing little to no compression artifacts even at high gain reduction levels.  As perfect for light buss duties as it is for extreme squashing, all without changing the nature of the source audio.  With many optional features available for customization, an RJR VCA can be built to perfectly suit your audio needs.

The currently available version is the RJR VCA X stereo buss compressor.  The VCA X builds off of the same circuitry used in the RJR VCA, but where the RJR VCA has one vca in each audio path and each sidechain for a total of four vca's, the VCA X has 4 parallel vca's in each audio path and one in each sidechain for a total of ten vca's.  This along with other tweaks to the circuit allows the VCA X to create what is essentially invisible and transparent compression for critical mixing and mastering situations, where the character of the source audio must be preserved.

 

The following are a few examples of the many custom RJR VCA and VCA X compressors that have been ordered.  These units have already been built and shipped to the customers that ordered them, and are not available for immediate order.  If you would like to order a custom RJR VCA or VCA X compressor, or if you would like to inquire about pricing, available options, or have any other questions, please inquire on the CONTACT page!  Due to the complexities involved in custom orders, please be aware that there is usually a 2-3 month lead time involved.

 

Previous versions of the RJR VCA were known as the Sick Sick Sick buss compressor.  The RJR VCA is essentially the SSS V4.0.  Previous versions are labeled with "SSS" and the version number.

 

At the moment the RJR VCA X is only available as a custom order unit. 

Built for Arcade Mastering. RJR VCAX in switchable dual mono/stereo configuration; twelve position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; 24 position ELMA switches for threshold, output, blend, attack, and release; switchable Sowter, vintage Triad, Edcor, and Cinemag transformers; hard and soft bypass; vintage meters modified with custom gain reduction scale; vintage and new RCA knobs; 5U black anodize panel with natural (no infill) engraving.

RJR VCA in ganged stereo confirguration; sidechain link/unlink control; six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; 12 position attack and release controls; distortion mode; 24 position ELMA switches for threshold, output, and blend; switchable Lundahl and vintage UTC transformers; vintage meter modified with custom gain reduction scale; new RCA knobs; 5U grey powdercoat panel with black infill engraving; black anodize sub-panels with natural engraving.

RJR VCAX in switchable dual mono/stereo configuration; six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; vintage meters modified with custom gain reduction scale; new Dakaware knobs; 3U aluminum anodize panel with black infill engraving.

Built for RGB at richardgbenoit.com. RJR VCA in stereo ganged configuration; six position sidechain filter; switchable Lundahl output transformers; 24 position ELMA rotary switches for threshold and output; jewel indicators for bypass and Lundahls; custom control labeling; 4.5" vintage Weston meter modified with custom gain reduction scale; vintage Dakaware knobs; 4U red powdercoat panel with white infill engraving.

RJR VCAX in ganged stereo configuration; six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl transformers; very rare vintage white bakelite API/LFE meter modified with custom gain reduction scale; new Dakaware knobs; 4U traffic white powdercoat panel with black infill engraving.

RJR VCAX in ganged stereo configuration; six position sidechain filter; 24 position ELMA switches for threshold and output; switchable vintage UTC transformers; new Sifam gain reduction and VU meters modified with custom faces; new and vintage RCA knobs; 2U black powdercoat panel with white infill engraving.

RJR VCA in switchable dual mono/stereo configuration; six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; 24 position ELMA switches for threshold, output, and blend; switchable Lundahl transformer; vintage Simpson meters modified with custom gain reduction scale; new and vintage RCA knobs; 4U grey powdercoat panel with black infill engraving.

RJR VCAX in ganged stereo configuration; six position sidechain filter; 24 position ELMA switches for threshold and output; very rare vintage white bakelite API/LFE meter modified with custom gain reduction scale; new Dakaware knobs; 4U blue anodize panel with white infill engraving.

RJR VCAX in switchable dual mono/stereo configuration; six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; new Sifam meters with gain reduction scale; new Dakaware knobs; 3U black anodize panel with natural (no infill) engraving.

RJR VCA in ganged stereo configuration; six position sidechain filter; switchable Lundahl and Cinemag transformer; vintage clear lucite meter modified with custom gain reduction scale; new Dakaware knobs; 3U red anodize panel with white infill engraving.

Built for Would Work Sound in Westlake, CA. RJR VCA with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl output transformers; 24 position ELMA rotary switches for threshold, output, and blend; jewel indicators for bypass, distortion, Lundahls, and power; epic vintage Westinghouse GR meter; vintage Dakaware knobs; 5U brown powdercoat 4mm thick panel with white infill engraving.

Built for Flat Black Studios. RJR VCA with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl output transformers; jewel indicators for bypass, distortion, Lundahls, and power; huge 6.5" vintage Sifam GR meter modified with custom GR scale; vintage Dakaware knobs; 5U black anodize panel with signal grey infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V3.0) with dual mono/stereo switching; six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl output transformers; LED indicators for bypass, distortion, Lundahls, and stereo link; vintage Triplett GR meters modified with custom GR scales; vintage Dakaware knobs with Fibonacci-inspired layout; 4U black anodize panel with white infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V3.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl output transformers; switchbank layout for ratio, attack, and release; vintage Simpson GR meter; 2U turquoise blue powdercoat panel with white infill engraving.

Built for Masterhead Lab Mastering, in NY. RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl output transformers; 24 position ELMA rotary switches for threshold, output, and blend; jewel light indicators for bypass, distortion, and Lundahls; vintage 4.5" Weston GR meter; vintage Dakaware knobs; custom logo engraving; 4U red anodize panel with white infill engraving.

Built for The Hook Studio in Brooklyn, NY. RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl output transformers; vintage Simpson GR meter; vintage Gates/Harris knobs; 3U clay brown powdercoat panel with white infill engraving.

Built for Lovestoned Studio in Brooklyn, NY. RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl output transformers; switchbank layout for ratio; vintage Simpson GR meter; vintage Dakaware knobs; 4U aluminum grey powdercoat panel with black infill engraving.

Built for Jonestown Audio in Goldcoast, Australia. RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; switchable Lundahl output transformers; switchbank layout for ratio, attack, and release; vintage Weston GR meter, vintage Dakaware knobs; jewel power light; 3U black anodize panel with orange infill engraving.  www.jonestown-audio.com

Built for Don Gunn at The Office in Seattle, WA. RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with single frequency sidechain filter; parallel blend control; Lundahl output transformers; switchbank layout for ratio; vintage Sifam GR meter; vintage Dakaware knobs; 2U black anodize panel with white infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; distortion mode; vintage 4.5" Weston GR meter; vintage bakelite knobs; 3U black anodize panel with white infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; distortion mode; parallel blend control; switchable Lundahl output transformers; illuminated EAO pushbutton switches for power, distortion, and Lundahls; new chickenhead knobs; modern bezel style GR meter; custom logo engraving; 2U white powdercoat panel with black infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V3.0) with dual mono/stereo switching; six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl and UTC output transformers; 24 position ELMA rotary switches for threshold, output, and blend; LED indicators for bypass, transformers, and stereo link; vintage Dakaware knobs; vintage Triplett GR meters; 4U black anodize panel with white infill engraving.

Built for Frank Gagliardi at Fuselage Mastering in Nashville, TN. RJR VCA (SSS V3.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl output transformers; switchbank layout for ratio; vintage Dakaware knobs; vintage Simpson GR meter; 4U aluminum grey powdercoat panel with black infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; switchable Lundahl output transformers; pushbutton switchbank layout for ratio and meter scale; vintage 1176-style knobs; vintage API/LFE GR meter; 2U black powdercoat panel with orange infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V3.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; switchable Lundahl output transformers; distortion mode; LED indicators for Lundahls, bypass, and distortion; jewel power indicator; vintage Dakaware knobs; vintage Beede GR meter; 4U aluminum grey powdercoat panel with black infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V3.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; Selco collet knobs; modern bezel style GR meter; illuminated EAO pushbutton switches for power and bypass; 2U aluminum anodize panel with black infill engraving.

Built for Chris Cubeta at Galuminumfoil. RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; distortion mode; vintage Dakaware knobs; vintage Simpson GR meter; 2U blue anodize panel with orange infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V1.2) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; Lundahl output transformers; vintage Dakaware knobs; vintage Beede GR meter; 3U black powdercoat panel with orange infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V1.2) with six position sidechain filter; Lundahl output transformers; vintage Dakaware knobs; jewel power indicator; vintage 4.5" Weston GR meter; 3U aluminum anodize panel with black infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V3.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; switchable Lundahl and Sowter output transformers; distortion mode; 24 position ELMA rotary switches for threshold, output, and blend; Dakaware knobs; vintage Simpson GR meter; 2U aluminum grey powdercoat panel with black infill engraving.

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RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; switchable Lundahl output transformers; distortion mode; vintage Dakaware knobs; vintage Beede GR meter; 3U bronze anodize panel with white infill engraving.

RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) built to look like an 1176 with reverse direction attack and release knobs; "GR OFF" setting at full CCW on attack switch; single frequency sidechain filter; switchable Lundahl output transformers; distortion mode at full CCW on release switch; pushbutton switchbank for ratio and for SC HPF, bypass, meter scale, and power; pushbutton banks taken from the buss selection on a Yamaha PM2K channel strip; vintage 1176-style knobs; vintage API/LFE GR meter; 2U natural anodize panel with green infill engraving. 

RJR VCA (SSS V3.0) with vintage knobs; vintage Simpson GR meter; 3U clay brown powdercoat panel with white infill engraving. 

RJR VCA (SSS V2.0) with six position sidechain filter; parallel blend control; distortion mode; switchable Lundahl output transformers; 3 position meter switch: 10dB GR, 20dB GR, OFF; illuminated EAO pushbutton switches for distortion mode and Lundahls; vintage Weston GR meter, Dakaware knobs; 2U bronze anodize panel with black infill engraving.

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