BC501-GR
500 - series stereo bus compressor
BC501-Ltd
500 - series stereo bus compressor
- Smooth transparent glue.
- Sidechain filter with three frequencies.
- Selectable THD function for more “even” harmonics.
- Grab function that selects a harder threshold knee.
- Blend control for easy parallel compression.
- All controls stepped for easy recall.
TK Audio’s best-selling 500-series module, the BC501, is a stereo bus compressor that features all the power of TK’s flagship BC1-THD.
Since the it was released in 2015 it has found its way into a great numbers of 500 racks all around the globe. The BC501 is one of the most transparent stereo bus compressors ever made. The smooth, soft compression together with the blend control, high-pass filter and the THD function are much appreciated features that now have been expanded with the grab function, known from the BC1-THD. The grab function turns the threshold knee harder and makes the compressor even more perfect for the drum-bus. The BC501 is available in two versions, the BC501-GR with the standard stock black panel and the BC501-Ltd with silver panel, individually numbered and limited edition of 100 units.
Video
Specifications
Power requirement: +110mA / -90mA (total)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz +/-0dB
Frequency response: 20Hz to 80kHz +0dB/-0.1dB
THD+N @ 1kHz: less than 0.005%
Signal to noise ratio: 95dB
Cross talk: -90dB
Input impedance: 24kohm
Output impedance: 50ohm
Max input level: +26dBu
Max output level: +27dBu
BC501 version history
BC501. Released April 2015
BC501-GR / BC501-Ltd. Grab function added and a individually numbered limited version released. (released April 2021)
Features
Threshold: -20dB to +20dB in 41 steps
Make-up: 0 to +20dB in 41 steps
Ratio: 1:25, 1.5:1, 2:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1
Attack: 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1, 3, 6, 10, 30, 60, 120mS
Release: 50, 100, 300, 600mS, 1.2S and Auto (50mS/2S)
HP Filter: 80Hz, 150Hz and 220Hz (-6dB/octave)
External sidechain input via a stereo 3.5mm TRS
THD circuit that adds even harmonics
Blend control from dry to compressed in 21 steps
Specifications and components may be changed or updated without further notice.
Quotes
The BC501 has slipped into my rack super smoothly and without noticing any change in the audio from my BC-1. The only real difference (besides size and the flexibility / mobility of the 500-format) is that it may be just slightly “snappier” if that makes any sense. Not really sure how to describe it… it just seems that it’s easier to dial in exactly where you want the comp to be… not that the BC-1 was difficult or anything! And you have managed to keep the same imaging as before. My biggest problem with the ‘standard’ buss comp and most of the copies has always been that both the width and the top-to-bottom seem to shrink when you engage the unit. Not so with the BC501, all 4 sides stay right where they were before, where they should be!
Downloads
Manual:
Download pdf
Recall sheet:
Download pdf
Pictures:
Front BC501-GR (eps), (png)
Download ZIP
Front BC501-Ltd (eps), (png)
Download ZIP