The BC5000 BIGFOOT from Burl Audio is a solid-state optical compressor with limiter functionality, designed for flexible use across tracking, mixing, and mastering. It shares its discrete, class-A analog circuitry with BURL’s mastering modules, the BAD4M and BDA4M, and delivers clean, musical compression with extensive control options.
Unlike legacy optical compressors based on older designs, the BC5000 incorporates a fully balanced signal path and a number of modern features. Its optical element is paired with switchable BX1 input and BX5 output transformers, along with a fast FET limiter that helps manage peaks while preserving sonic integrity.
Engineers can fine-tune compression behavior with a stepped threshold, attack, release, and ratio, while retaining recall consistency in any session. A sidechain low-cut filter ensures the low end stays intact, particularly useful for bass-heavy material or full mixes. The onboard de-esser simplifies vocal treatment with a single switch, and a 10kHz high-frequency boost can bring clarity to darker tracks.
The BC5000 is designed for a wide range of applications. Its tonal quality, low noise floor, and versatile controls allow it to adapt to vocals, instruments, and stereo bus work without compromise.
Attending NAMM 2026? Visit BURL Audio at Booth 14720 to experience the BC5000 BIGFOOT in person.
Key Features:
- Solid-state optical compressor with limiter
- All discrete transistor, class-A, direct-coupled design
- Fully balanced circuit path
- Switchable BX1 input transformer
- Switchable BX5 output transformer
- Fast FET limiter
- Sidechain low-cut filter
- One-button de-esser
- Switchable high-frequency boost
- Stereo link and hard bypass
- Stepped controls for input, output, threshold, ratio, attack, and release
- Same analog design as BURL BAD4M and BDA4M mastering modules