Gainlab Audio Mastering Bundle

The Dictator is a tube based dynamic controller which is designed after the same pedigree of classic vari-mu compressors. Theoretically similar to the legendary Fairchild 670 and Gates STA-Level it packs contemporary solutions in order to have a better control over the sound. The bespoke design of the branch circuits we just simply called the “mu-follower” concept. The two channels of the compressor can provide synchronized operation throughout the whole range of the transition curve and so achieve excellent gain reduction. The time based parameters and the saturation characteristics will be very familiar to experienced tube based compressor users.

The Dictator is a true vari-mu compressor which consists of a pair of exceptional quality pentodes that were mass produced during the Warsaw Pact in countries such as Hungary, East Germany or Poland. The surrounding circuits of the tube amplifier use the latest technical solutions that allow more precise parallel characteristics which helps to achieve extreme setup conditions. For instance, it can be pulsing on a masterbus or it can produce crispy saturation alongside non-existent transients and dirty breaks. Or work as a simple saturator with minimal dynamic control. Gainlabs intention was to create a master compressor and bus compressor for mixing, but in experienced hands the Dictator can be used as a sound design tool as well. The Dictator keeps every aspect of the sound in hand, it is precise however not always clean, just like all the dictators from the history books.

Empress is a dual channel passive equalizer with more precision than ever before. 

What would be your first though when you hear the term “passive equalizer”? At first, probably you think about the airy high frequency components, the rich subs and the widely applicable cuts and boosts which can be used alongside each other.

These types of equalisers have been around since the early 50’s, the most famous Pultec EQP-1 from Pulse Techniques was the first one that provided simultaneously passive filter circuits alongside high quality line amplifiers. The downside of the EQP-1 was the lack of ability to carry out precision frequency isolation, but it was able to change any sound in its core. Many of the modern equalizers are based on the original EQP-1 in both structure and functions that could be limiting in a modern music environment and production.

Dictator Main properties:

Empress Main properties

Field of application:

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SPECS