AVALON DESIGN

AD2044 & AD2055

K.K. Proffitt examines two processors from Avalon Design
and finds some able mixing and mastering tools for the studio.

Avalon Design’s AD2044 Opto- Compressor and AD2055 Class A Equalizer deliver sonic excellence in a sleek, stainless steel package. Both continue the Avalon tradition of balanced, high voltage, 100% discrete, pure Class A signal amplifiers. External 150W torroidal power supplies ensure clean power with minimal environmental hum in the studio. Both units feature pin-2-hot balanced XLRs, with a maximum input level of +30 dB. Maximum output level for both is + 32 dB balanced 600 ohms, DC coupled and high-current discrete Class A. High headroom (+30 dB) with very low noise in these units provides signal integrity with the emphasis on musical performance.

The AD2055 Class A Equalizer

The “passive-active filter design” of the AD2055 combines flexibility and detail with ergonomic efficiency for fast-paced session work. High and low frequency bands are passive, while the two mid bands are active parametric. Both channels of the unit have the same functional layout.

The passive low frequency band, LOW F1, has an amplitude ranging from –32 dB to +32 dB at the low center point of the volume pot. It has ten switched frequency positions: 18Hz, 25hz, 30Hz, 50Hz, 72Hz, 100Hz, 150Hz, 215Hz, 300Hz, and 450Hz. A switch between the volume pot and frequency switch toggles between shelf or peak-dip curve.

The lower middle band, MID F2, is active with amplitude that varies from –16dB to +16dB. It’s peak-dip curve features variable Q with a width from 0.3 to 3.0. The frequency pot varies from 35 Hz to 450 Hz. A x 10 switch above the frequency and Q pots boosts the frequency range to 350 Hz for the lower value and 4.5kHz for the larger value.

The higher middle band, MID F3, is also active with a –16 dB to +16 dB amplitude range and peak-dip curve with a Q whose width varies from 0.3 to 3.0. It’s frequency range varies from 160Hz to 2kHz. Setting the x 10 switch changes that to a low of 1.6kHz and a high of 20kHz.

Hi band F4, HIGH F4, is passive with a ten position frequency switch: 1.5kHz, 2.5kHz, 3.5kHz, 5kHz, 7.2kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz, and 25kHz. Amplitude ranges from –26 dB to + 26 dB at the lower center position of the volume pot. Like the low frequency band, there’s a switch for shelf, or peak-dip curve.

The AD2055’s dual mono operation includes two large, red switches on the center front of the unit. These two hard-wire relay bypass switches for EQ in-out cause a slight thump below 125 Hz and should not be switched during record.

We stacked the AD2055 on top of the AD2044 with a 1/2 inch of fire-resistant foam board on the edges for spacing and ventilation. In the open air of a room with 73-degree temperature, the heat sink on the AD2055 measured 135 degrees. The air just above the top unit was 112 degrees. If you’re going to use these units in a rack together, they should have plenty of ventilation.

The AD2044 Opto-Compressor

If I could only choose one word to describe the AD2044 Opto-Compressor it would be smooth. It’s high-speed linear opto elements are computer matched, providing a passive attenuator system with nearly transparent gain reduction. Like the AD2055 equalizer, the AD2044 has high headroom and low noise with high-voltage 100% discrete, pure Class A signal amplifiers.

The AD2044 features a wide bandwidth: -3dB, 1Hz to 450kHz. Traditional LDR (light dependent resistor) compression combines with external control loop and current monitored optical driver for smooth control and excellent sonic character.

The two illuminated meters can be switched for gain reduction (0dB to –20dB range) or output (professional moving coil, -20dB to +3dB at VU=+4dB). To the left and above the meter is the variable Threshold knob (-24dB to +20dB). The Compression knob resides to the right and above the meter, with ratio-compression variable from 1:1 to 20:1. The smaller Attack and Release pots reside to the left and below the meter. Attack varies from 0.5mS to 150 mS; release varies from 80 mS to 5 seconds for 12 dB release. Just above the attack and release pots are the side-chain switch and the meter type toggle. Underneath the Compression knob is the compressor bypass switch and the Output gain range pot.
On the back panel are XLR jacks for left and right input and output as well as side-chain inputs for each channel.

You can run the AD2044 dual mono, or press the red Link switch in the center of the front panel for stereo operation. In link mode, the left-side attack, release and compression ratio govern the unit, while threshold and output gain remain independent for both sides.

Listening

We checked the AD2044 and 2055 in several situations: vocals, drums, and stringed instruments.
I had recorded a young cellist performing a complex solo piece. It included bowed and plucked techniques with a “slapping” section in the center of the piece, where giving the strings a light tap against the fingerboard produced a flamenco effect. While I was, for the most part, happy with the tonal balance and spatial characteristics of the mix, I knew it could be better. With the AD2055, I brought out the “slaps” so that they had a bit more point and also pulled in some lower mids for more “woodiness” in the cello bowed tones. It was subtle, but the cello had more visibility in the mix when I had finished.

I also used the AD2044 as well as the AD2055 on a young girl’s vocals. I was able to bring her slightly variable performance under control as well as give her a bit more “throat” while reducing some of her rather shrill “belt voice”.

We also recorded a set of Arbiter flats, drums that consist only of drum heads with shells, into Nuendo at 96kHz. My partner, Joel, declared that “it’s impossible to get a really bad sound out of the AD2044”. He varied attack and release for different samples.

After a final evaluation, we decided to buy both units. Low noise, sonic musicality, and flexibility with attention to detail make the Avalon AD2044 Opto-Compressor and the AD2055 Class A Equalizer must-have additions for the professional mixing and mastering environment.

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