The Symetrix 501 Peak/RMS Compressor/Limiter is a high-precision dynamic range controller engineered for demanding professional audio environments. Combining two separate dynamic processors in one unit, the Symetrix 501 offers independent RMS compression and peak limiting.
This allows the peak limiter to handle fast transients, preventing overloads, while the RMS compressor manages overall signal dynamics without introducing excessive gain reduction. Both sections are designed to deliver low distortion and noise, ensuring clean and consistent sound quality.
The RMS compressor responds in a way that mimics human hearing, making it easy to achieve a smooth, natural sound. It features both manual and automatic attack and release settings, along with wide-ranging threshold and ratio controls. With a working range of 50 dB and high-headroom circuitry, the Symetrix 501 delivers the sonic performance required for professional use.
To prevent clipping and tape saturation, the peak limiter operates with an extremely fast attack time of 2000 dB/msec, effectively catching transient spikes. By combining these two types of processing, the Symetrix 501 offers both creative dynamic shaping and protective peak control.
The Symetrix 501 became a popular choice for vocal processing, offering clear and controlled sound, and gained recognition among bass players for maintaining low-frequency clarity while protecting amplifiers from overload caused by aggressive playing techniques. Built on over twenty years of Symetrix audio processor design expertise, the Symetrix 501 represents a balance of performance, precision, and reliability.
Features
- RMS and interactive peak control
- Manual or automatic attack/release
- Balanced and unbalanced connections
- Stereo linkable
- Sidechain access
Compressor
- Type: RMS responding, soft-knee
- Manual attack time: 0.25 to 12 dB/ms
- Manual release time: 5 to 300 dB/sec
- Auto-release time: Program dependent
- Threshold: -40 dBu to +10 dBu
- Ratio: 1.4:1 to ∞:1
Limiter
- Attack time: 2000 dB/ms (approximately 1/2 cycle at 50 kHz)
- Release time: 110 dB/sec
- Threshold: -10 dBu to +20 dBu
- Ratio: ∞:1
