Alice 538R: Overview and Features
The Alice 538R stands as a mains-powered 1U rack-mounted iteration of the acclaimed 538T OPTO stereo compressor, featuring distinctive functionalities tailored for audio professionals and enthusiasts.
Key Features:
- Opto Compression Design: Incorporates Ted Fletcher’s renowned opto compression design, renowned for its historical significance and exceptional audio performance.
- Enhanced Compression Capabilities: Allows for a wide range of compression ratios, ranging from gentle to aggressive, ensuring versatile and precise audio compression.
- Accurate UV Compression Metering: Utilizes a real meter for precise UV compression metering, ensuring accurate and detailed monitoring during the compression process.
- Extreme Stereo Width Control: Offers extensive stereo width control, allowing users to manipulate the stereo image’s width for creative audio effects.
- Side-Chain Functionality: Equipped with a side-chain input, enabling precise control and manipulation of the audio compression process.
- Hand-Matched Audio Transformers: Ensures quality and shielded audio transmission via hand-matched OEP canned transformers, enhancing audio fidelity and clarity.
Mechanical Specifications:
- Compact 1U rack-mounted design utilizing mains voltage for reliable operation.
Inputs & Outputs:
- Utilizes Left and Right transformer-balanced inputs and outputs via hand-matched OEP canned transformers.
- Side-chain functionality available through a 6.35 mm stereo TRS connector.
Width Control & Metering:
- Implements a unique ‘sum and difference’ mode for precise stereo equalization without image shift, allowing accurate width control.
- Features easy-to-read stereo analogue meters, reading audio (UV) or compression depth (comp).
Technical Specifications:
- Inputs: 10K impedance differential balanced.
- Outputs: Floating balanced 50 ohms with a maximum balanced output of approximately +26dBu.
- Gain: Maximum 24dB.
- Noise: Maintains at least 80dB below operating level, exceeding a dynamic range of 100dB.
- Harmonic Distortion: Generally within 0.005%, with a rising 2nd order harmonic distortion at lower frequencies under compression.
- Frequency Response: Line in 20Hz to 20KHz within 1dB.
- Audio Crosstalk: Utilizes M/S processing with variable ‘side’ content via the width control, offering exceptional L/R crosstalk.
Compressor Specifications:
- Operates as a photo-resistive servo-operated feedback type compressor, with a variable ratio of approximately 1.2 to 1 up to 8 to 1.
- Sidechain filtered for precise bass compression, with adjustable attack and release times for customized audio control.
Connections & Power:
- Connections via Neutrik XLR and TRS connectors.
- Powered by 85 to 285v AC, housed in a 19″ 1U rack-mount unit, supplied with a 2m IEC cable.
