The GEM AUDIO Preceptor is two-channel (stereo/dual mono), pure analog (Class-A, discrete) dynamic processor, in which the gain reduction is made by a transistor in the differential amplifier circuit with Zener diodes stabilization with additional ACTION switch.

POWER The common POWER switch. The amber light and panel meters glow when the unit is powered on.

BYPASS The bypass is a hard relay bypass. If the unit loses power, it will default to this hard relay bypass.

INPUT GAIN This switch lets You choose between HIGH or LOW input gains by changing input Z (HIGH- 2k5, LOW- 10K)

SIDECHAIN In the INT mode the Preceptor acts as a normal compressor sending main INPUT signal to the gain reduction stage. In the EXT position You can use another audio track (sending it to the EXT SIDECHAIN input on the rear panel) to control the volume of the main INPUT signal. This technique can really improve the quality of your music. There is another trick in the box. If the SIDECHAIN switch is in the EXT position and the EXT SIDECHAIN input does not receive any signal, then the Preceptor turns into a pleasant harmonic distortion generator. The amount of distortion depends on the Z and the INPUT switches settings. The larger the signal, the more distortion is in the processed signal (at extreme settings, it may be up to several % of THD). This is because there is no control signal and the circuit is driven.

RATIO The Preceptor operates as a compressor with 2:1 compression ratio or in the limit mode its behavior can be compared to the famous Fairchild 660 limiter.

ATTACK The ATTACK control (11-position gold contact switch) determines how fast the compressor reacts. In the model-T ATTACK can be set from 0,5ms to 31ms.

RELEASE The RELEASE control (11-position gold contact switch) determines the time the compressor needs to get back to the initial value after a level reduction. In the model-T RELEASE can be set from 50ms to 2s.

ACTION The ACTION switch allows You to choose between two unique modes. Each of them provides different combination of threshold and compression knee. SOFT is less pumping mode and it is useful when a complex material is processed - for example during mastering tasks. HARD mode allows for more pumping and it is ideal for tracking, when sometimes aggressive compression is needed. Your mode choice will depend on the processed signal and the aural effect you want to achieve.

INPUT This is a 21-position gold contact audio taper switch that determines the level of the signal entering the channel, as well as the threshold.

OUTPUT 21-position gold contact switch set for +10dB/-10dB of gain control. Once the desired amount of limiting or compression is achieved with the use of the INPUT control and the Z control, the OUTPUT control can be used to make up any gain lost due to gain reduction. This control is used to set the amount of compressed (WET) signal in the blender stage.

BLEND 11-position gold contact switch allows to mix compressed (WET) and uncompressed (DRY) signals using only one knob. A single move changes mixing ratio by 10%. This technique is known as parallel compression, or as New York compression. This technique usually needs external mixing console, but not when You use our powerful Preceptor.

SIDECHAIN HPF With this control (6-position gold contact switch) you can remove low frequency information feeding the compressing circuit from 40 Hz, 80 Hz, 120 Hz, 200 Hz, 320 Hz. It can be also turned off by setting OFF position.

LINK/DUAL MONO When set to the up (LINK) position, the two channels of the Preceptor act as a single stereo compressor, with equal gain reduction on both sides, even when there is transient activity only on one channel. You only need to set all the functions on the left and right channel in the same position. It is not a problem having only rotary and toggle switches installed in the unit. In the down (DUAL MONO) position, the Preceptor operates as two separate compressors, with the two channels operating completely independent of one another.

Massive sound

Hand made and calibrated

Pure analog design

3U rack space

Internal PSU 115V/230V

Special power transformer

Two independent mono blocks

Ultra stable power supply

16 matched Zener diodes in the signal path

Internal and external sidechain

Classic Carnhill transformers

Input Z switchable (2k5 or 10k)

Stereo or dual mono operation

Hard relay bypass

Sidechain HPF

Blend function (parallel compression)

Retro panel meters

Only gold contact stepped attenuators and toggle switches (no potentiometers!)

Easy-settings repeatability

Highest functionality!

Inputs: Balanced XLR

Outputs: Balanced XLR

Ext. sidechain inputs: Balanced TRS

Signal transformers: Carnhill

Bypass: hard relay bypass

Input impedance: 2k5 or 10k switched on the front panel

Output impedance: < 50

Frequency response: 20-22.000Hz

Maximum input level : + 21 dBu @ sensitivity +4 dBu

Maximum output level: +23 dBu

S/N ratio (A-weighted) : better than 85dBu

Meter: 0 to -20dB gain reduction

Signal path: Class-A, discrete

VCA: bipolar transistors biased by Zener diodes

Ratio: 2:1, Limit (Fairchild 660)

Action modes: hard, soft

Attack: 0,5ms - 31ms ( switched modes: fast, medium, slow)

Release: 50ms - 2s

External sidechain: YES

Sidechain filtering : OFF, 40Hz, 80 Hz, 120 Hz, 200 Hz, 320 Hz

Blender (parallel compression) : yes

PSU: internal

Fuses type: 230V : 630mA (slo-blo; 5x20mm) /115V : 1,25A (slo-blo; 5x20mm)

Power consumption: 70W

Dimensions (WxHxD) : 483x133mm (3U) x 245mm

Weight: 6,4kg