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moosers
Published on 06/13/10 at 23:19
SPL's DynaMaxx is a dual channel compressor, limiter, and gate. It's definitely a unique piece of gear, which has actually become pretty standard for SPL. They think outside of the box with all of their gear, which besides the top notch sound quality is probably the main reason I love using their gear. The main unique feature found on the DynaMaxx is the 'de-compression' mode, which actually will do exactly what you'd think it would judging from the name. Basically if you've got something that's already got compression on it, you can reverse this action. While I haven't used this feature very often, it's definitely something that I can see being very useful for mixing engineers who get projects from all over the place. As far as it's connections go, it's got both XLR and 1/4" inputs and output, as well as 1/4" connections for a sidechain as well. It is rack mountable and will take up a single space.
UTILIZATION
The configuration of the SPL DynaMaxx is pretty easy to understand, although it certainly isn't your typical compressor/limiter. The parameters that each of the two channels have are knobs for compression level, gain level, and noise gate. It then has a series of buttons for unique features like de-compression that I mentioned earlier. It also has a soft limit mode, an effect compression mode, which fixes the release time to 60ms, as well as an active switch for each channel and a stereo couple button in the middle of the two channels. I guess that a manual could be helpful for learning these unique features, but I haven't seen it so I can't speak about it's make up.
SOUND QUALITY
Let me start off this section by saying that the SPL DynaMaxx is an extremely versatile piece of equipment. It can give you both a very clean compression sound as well as a variety of other unique sounds. It can really wear a number of different hats, as it's great as both a traditional compressor/limiter and otherwise. I've used it for a variety of instruments, including drums, vocals, and both acoustic and electric guitar. I haven't used the de-compression mode all that much, but this is definitely a feature that will draw mixing engineers to the DynaMaxx. You can color your sound in all sorts of different sounds with the DynaMaxx. I feel that I've really only scrapped the surface with it and I'm hoping to get a bit more experimental with it the next time I get to use it.
OVERALL OPINION
I really don't have a bad thing to say about DynaMaxx. It's incredibly versatile and can be used in all sorts of different ways. For the price and considering that you're getting two channels here, the DynaMaxx is really one of the best deals out there in terms of a unique compressor. I'd recommend it for anyone, but especially for those professional engineers looking to think outside the box a bit with their compression.
UTILIZATION
The configuration of the SPL DynaMaxx is pretty easy to understand, although it certainly isn't your typical compressor/limiter. The parameters that each of the two channels have are knobs for compression level, gain level, and noise gate. It then has a series of buttons for unique features like de-compression that I mentioned earlier. It also has a soft limit mode, an effect compression mode, which fixes the release time to 60ms, as well as an active switch for each channel and a stereo couple button in the middle of the two channels. I guess that a manual could be helpful for learning these unique features, but I haven't seen it so I can't speak about it's make up.
SOUND QUALITY
Let me start off this section by saying that the SPL DynaMaxx is an extremely versatile piece of equipment. It can give you both a very clean compression sound as well as a variety of other unique sounds. It can really wear a number of different hats, as it's great as both a traditional compressor/limiter and otherwise. I've used it for a variety of instruments, including drums, vocals, and both acoustic and electric guitar. I haven't used the de-compression mode all that much, but this is definitely a feature that will draw mixing engineers to the DynaMaxx. You can color your sound in all sorts of different sounds with the DynaMaxx. I feel that I've really only scrapped the surface with it and I'm hoping to get a bit more experimental with it the next time I get to use it.
OVERALL OPINION
I really don't have a bad thing to say about DynaMaxx. It's incredibly versatile and can be used in all sorts of different ways. For the price and considering that you're getting two channels here, the DynaMaxx is really one of the best deals out there in terms of a unique compressor. I'd recommend it for anyone, but especially for those professional engineers looking to think outside the box a bit with their compression.