A Designs Audio, Inc. has released the HM2 NAIL Compressor, a Feedback, Diode baised design combined with tubes, which contains three defining features Hard Threshold, Filter and Mix.

One feature that A Designs notes that is missing from the NAIL is the Ratio setting control. It has been replaced with a “Variable Ratio.” This means that the ratio will change as the settings of the Threshold and Hard Threshold are changed along with the amount of gain reduction. You may, or may not, need to adjust Attack and Release, depending on your tastes.

The Mix feature allows for endless combinations of mixing the sound of the Nail’s compression with your audio signal path. You can go from your signal (Dry) to full on compression, depending upon your need or taste. This means you can perform the maximum compression on a signal, such as drums, then blend it into the audio path, something that A Designs claims is not found on most compressors.

The Filter is a Variable High Pass Filter on the side chain so that selected frequencies below are not triggered by the gain reduction. This feature, in combination with the Hard Threshold and Threshold, allows you to select the frequency or frequencies you wish to compress. This is by no means a “multi-band compressor” where you can isolate and compress, but it works somewhat along those lines.

A Designs claim that great deal of thought and consideration went into the decision to use an LED array as opposed to the traditional VU meters you would most likely see on a compressor. Aesthetics and personal taste are involved and we chose a combination of “Old School and Modern Look.” But, plain old work environment dictates that the LEDs can be seen from across a dark studio much easier than a backlit VU meter and in some cases with more accuracy.

The NAIL was designed with the 2 Buss in mind. It is with this that the feature of a Stereo Link Switch was developed. All the functions on both channels in Stereo Link Mode will be controlled via channel 1 (with the exception of Gain and Mix).

The A Designs NAIL compressor is available now for $2850. More information on the A Designs NAIL Compressor.

OTO Machines, a small French company helmed by two sound engineers and a music producer, have released their first product, a hand-built 8 Bit stereo processor, dubbed Biscuit.

Biscuit is a stereo sound effect processor with true 8-bit converters, digital processing and analog resonant filters. Feed a signal through Biscuit and you can achieve a wide range of sounds from harsh distortion, digital and aliasing artifacts to
warm and fat 8-bit sounds.

OTO claims that Biscuit is very useful for adding depth and texture to any kind of electronic sounds including both digital and analog synthesizers (8 Bit 303 crunch fest! —Ed.), drum machines, loops, samplers and even vocals.

Biscuit is an enhanced bit depth and sample-rate reducer, also known lovingly as a “bitcrusher,” followed by an real analog filter. Biscuit features a unique approach to adding “wetness” to the dry signal with two separated buttons, Naked and Dressed – those nutty Frenchmen! It also offers other features like removing or inverting each of the 8 bits, changing the sample rate from 250Hz to 30kHz, or adding one of the four effects (waveshaper, delay, pitch shifter and step filter).

Biscuit is fully MIDI compatible, and you can save the whole Biscuit settings (pots and switches) into 16 presets.

Features:
» Stereo inputs and outputs
» Input gain from 0 to 15 dB with diode clipping
» Real 8-bit Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog converters
» Unique capability of muting and inverting each of the 8 bits
» Variable sample clock from 250 Hz to 30 kHz
» True analog multimode filter with resonance control
» FX section: Waveshaper, Delay, Pitch Shifter and Step Filter
» Separate control of dry and 8-bit signals
» 16 presets locations
» MIDI : Continuous Controller, Beat Clock, Program Change and Sysex for presets
» True relay Bypass
» Rugged metallic Neutrik jacks
» Built like a tank: Thick metal case and strong build
» Dimensions: 190mm x 60mm x 117mm / 7.48″ x 2.36″ x 4.60″ (W x D x H)
» Weight: 580g / 1.27 lbs

OTO Machines Biscuit is available now for €449, or thereabouts. More information on the OTO Machines Biscuit.