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CP4500 Stereo Bus compressor for the '500' Lunchbox - Kit

CP4500 Stereo Bus compressor for the '500' Lunchbox - Kit

Price: 429,00€ (514,80€ VAT inc.)
457,26 USD 363,70 GBP
(exchange fees not included)

The CP4500 is a Stereo bus compressor based on the design that was originally used in a legendary British console, adapted to the '500' format of API*. It is famous for adding punch and glue to the mixes.

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  Product ID CP4500
  •   Description
  •   Specs
  •   Docs
  •   Media
  •   Reviews

CP4500 stereo bus compressor


The CP4500 is a Stereo bus compressor based on the design that was originally used in a legendary British console, adapted to the '500' format of API*. It is famous for adding punch and glue to the mixes.

The CP4500 adds a few features to the original such as an equalizer in the side chain with three high-pass frequencies and a high boost section which enhances the spectral balance of the output. It also adds a Mix knob that allows mixing blending dry and wet signal for parallel compression.

Highlights

  • Very faithful to the original design,
  • Four paralleled THAT VCA's (plus one in the side chain) per channel,
  • True stereo side chain,
  • Stepped Ratio, Attack and Release,
  • Side chain EQ with 3 high-pass frequencies and one high boost filter,
  • Wet/Dry mix control for parallel compression,
  • Ultra-low distortion and noise audio op-amps,
  • Analog gain reduction meter,
  • High grade electronic components throughout,
  • High grade double sided PCB with plated holes,
  • High precision aluminum knobs,
  • Available assembled or as a full kit (everything included).

Controls

1    RATIO Rotary switch that sets the compression ratio to 2, 4 or 10.

2    ATTACK Rotary switch that sets the attack time from 0.1 to 30 milliseconds.

3    HP Inserts a 50, 100 or 200 Hz high-pass filter in the side-chain. Produces a Fat sound and eliminates bass driven pumping.

4    RELEASE Rotary switch that sets the release time from 0.05 to 1.2 second. The AUTO position is a program dependent automatic release time.

5    Meter Analog meter displays the dB gain reduction.

6    IN Compressor bypass (hardware by relay).

7    THRESHOLD Potentiometer that sets the input level at which compression begins.

8    HF LIFT Inserts a high boost filter in the side chain. Combined with the High-Pass it evens the audio energy in low and high bands and gives a very natural sounding to the compressed output.

9    MAKEUP Potentiometer that restores the signal level after being compressed (make up gain).

10    MIX Potentiometer that mixes the direct unprocessed signal with the compresses signal (0 to 100%) for parallel compression.

Frequency response of the side chain filters

What's in the kit?

Absolutely everything!

  • Passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors),
  • Active components (diodes, transistors, LED's, IC's),
  • Front panel elements (switches, potentiometers, analog meter, knobs),
  • Connectors, relays,
  • PCB's,
  • Front panel and side panel,
  • All hardware.

You bring the solder (use good quality solder, 1mm diameter max) and the Lunchbox.

Difficulty level

The CP4500 kit is a medium difficulty kit. Nothing difficult but a rather large number of components.

The setup is simple but requires using a good quality AC voltmeter.

Product Options

XT500 Extender: The XT500 option is a cable extension that allows you to test and setup the module outside the lunchbox while connected.

501 Case: The 501 case option is a standalone, single slot lunchbox with PSU.
The XT500 Extender is not needed with the 501.

Assembled Product: If you prefer not to DIY, choose an Assembled product. It comes fully assembled, ready to use.



lunchbox

Technical specifications

Measure Conditions Value
Noise input shunted with a 50Ω resistor
Low pass @30kHz
<-93 dBu
Maximum output level before clip f=1kHz +27.5 dBu
Dynamic range >120 dB
Frequency response Deviation=+/-0.2 dB 10Hz - 100kHz
Idle supply current No input signal V+ : +130 mA
V- : -125 mA
Input impedance f=1kHz 24 kΩ
Maximum input level +27.5 dBu
Output impedance 50Ω
THD + Noise f=1kHz without gain reduction < 0.005%

 

lunchbox

Documents


  Go to Products technical documentation

Media

Demo of the Soundskulptor CP4500 stereo bus compressor

 

Another demo of the Soundskulptor CP4500

 
 
11 Product Reviews - Average rating 4.9 / 5    Show All

Click to review this product

Great Kit

Michael - 15/05/2022

This kit is a 5 out of 5 in every category. Quality parts, great design, comprehensive instructions, all at an attractive price point. Instant mix bus glue. The unit sounds great and I couldn’t be happier. Highly recommended.

Incredible value and quality throughout

Lee Campen - 20/02/2022

- Very high quality parts and components
- Extremely well packed and organized
- Excellent, detailed instructions
- Thoughtfully laid out and designed
- Fun to build if you have basic soldering skills
- Best price for this circuit
- Looks gorgeous!

As my recording and mixing skills have grown, I have become increasingly interested in outboard gear. I have a few pieces of 19" rack gear but I have wanted to get into 500 series for the space savings. The issue for me has been the astronomical cost for quality gear.

I have a good deal of experience building guitar effects pedals and amps so I was confident that I would do well building kits to fill my lunch box. After extensive searching I found Sound Skulptor and I was truly surprised to find this level of quality at a price that is realistic for me. The CP4500 really stood out to me as an almost too-good-to-be-true kit, so I took the plunge and bought it.

Shipping to the US was surprisingly fast and when I opened the box I was immediately im...


transparent, punchy, flexible!

herrturtur - 03/01/2022

It was my first Sound Skulptor build and it was great fun - perfect documentation, I have to applaud JPK for his efforts! When I messed up a connector, JPK was of great help providing links for re-ordering part. He answered so quickly. I use the CP4500 on drum buss mostly, not on the mixbus. Compared it against UAD SSL4000 G Bus Compressor and it sounds a bit lighter, not that "gluey", but very punchy and more open. I was surprised how it worked as a buss compressor on backing vocals. Very transparent! Great unit.

Excellent guide, great compressor

Small Steps Mastering - 29/06/2021

Had a blast putting this one together. All the documentation was super helpful, especially the printed resistor colour code guide. Ran into some trouble upon testing, and with prompt responses from Jean-Pierre I was able to find an unsoldered SMD pin. Calibration was easy, and it sounds great. Love how this sounds on master bus duties, and the mix knob is truly the magic ingredient for this compressor.

It's fun to build this awesome glue compressor

Constantin - 30/12/2020

For some time I had been tempted to start using 500 gear and also to start building equipment. Having built this compressor and enjoying its performance for the first time has been the perfect start for me. I am completely hooked now - because:

This compressor can glue perfectly. from electronic music to pop music - from master sum to drum bus - everything I throw at it gets glued without destroying dynamics. If I had to decide again, I would always choose this stereo compressor for the characteristics and the features: side chain, highpass, wet/dry mix control - this compressor is just awesome in versatility and in getting results quickly.

Now for building it - if you are patient, willing to work on it for a few hours/day for less than a week, and if you enjoy building stuff, you might be able to pull it off even as a beginner. Binge watch tutorials about soldering, learn using a voltage meter, buy good quality solder, temperature regulated iron, a pcb holding tool, a soldering mat, a good pair of cu...


This thing is fantastic

Susan - 17/12/2020

I have both a GSSL4000 with the DBX VCA modules as well as a Neve 33609, both are fantastic bus compressors, but I find that the Sound Skulptor 4500 compressor is my favorite. Neither he Neve or the GSSL have the high pass filtering or the capability of parallel compression. The high pass filter alone is worth the price of admission. This thing plays with the big boys and kicks sand in their face! And for the price, I am tempted to get a second for my Aux bus.

Click to review this product

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