Maag Audio MAGNUM K

Mäag Audio MAGNUM-K

Welcome to Compression nirvana and sonic bliss

The 1U Mäag Audio Magnum-KⓇ Single-Channel Compressor is a unique design that accomplishes dynamic range modification in the most efficient and transparent way possible.

There are two compressors called Magnum Comp and K Comp, a Low to Mid-Range frequency bell-shape parallel EQ, and a preset soft limiter. The Magnum–K also includes Mäag Audio’s Air Band shelving equalizer and the ability to link two units for stereo operation by connecting a short cable between TRS jacks located on the unit’s rear panels.

Whether you require strict dynamic control or subtle overall enhancement, the Magnum-K will easily handle it quickly and with the best possible sonic outcome.

The Magnum-K starts with a variable Input attenuator control for up to 12 dB and a green LED to indicate signal presence at -30 dBu and a red LED to indicate when the output is near clip at +23 dBu; the unit clips at +26 dBu. Next is a variable Input Gain control for up to 12 dB of additional gain if needed.

The Magnum Comp section has the FB/FF switch for switching between Feedback, an old-school topology or Feed-Forward for a more modern and aggressive sound. The Compressor Range control selects the maximum range of the compressor with 4, 8, 12, or 16 dB positions. Next is the compression Ratio control that interacts with the Compressor Range control and is continuously variable from the lowest 1.3:1 up to 13:1 or hard limiting. A blue LED glows brighter and brighter with more and more gain reduction.

There is a variable Attack time control with a range of 5 to 200 milliseconds and the Release time control varies from 0.1 to 1.2-seconds. The Threshold control sets the exact level where compression begins and it has a numerical range from 0 to 10 for maximum compression.

There is a switchable Side-Chain filter control for removing low frequencies from the compressor’s side-chain that causes unwanted gain reduction. Available frequencies for this high-pass filter are: Off, 40, 80, 120, and 220 Hz.

You may also select the Ext position for routing an external audio signal to control gain reduction such as for ducking or de-essing the audio passing through the Magnum-K. There are balanced Ext Input and Output XLR connectors (loop through) provided on the back panel for “tapping” into an existing audio signal path without affecting its quality.

At the output of the Magnum Comp section is the 2nd compressor called K Comp. With its own In/Out bypass switch, a blue LED indicating compression amount, and a one knob Threshold control. The K Comp is focused compressing in the 3 kHz band to suppress harsh frequency buildups.

The Parallel EQ2 section is fed by the unit’s input audio with its output mixed back into the unit’s output without detrimental phase shift. There is an In/Out hardwire bypass switch, a Gain or boost control for the equalizer and a selectable Q with Wide and Tight Q choices. The frequency choices for the wide Q position are: Sub (10 Hz), 57 Hz, 88 Hz, 220 Hz, 400 Hz, and 1.4 kHz. Tight or narrow Q choices are: Sub (10 Hz), 40 Hz, 65 Hz, 150 Hz, 250 Hz, and 1 kHz.

The Parallel EQ2 section also has the Mäag Audio Air Band shelving filter with a switchable In/Out bypass. Frequencies are switchable with: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 kHz choices.

The last controls on the Magnum-K are the Make-up Gain control for up to 21 dB of additional gain and the ultra smooth Soft Limiter with In/Out bypass switch. A tri-color LED monitors everything with the color green for typical operation, and then pink to red at +17dBu and gentle gain reduction.