Black lion audio Seventeen 500

The Seventeen 500 is not just another '76 compressor. It is the redesigned and improved Black Lion 500 Series version of a classic '76 compressor. With an innovative IC input circuit, the Seventeen 500 delivers exceptional detail and nuance that is nearly impossible to achieve in a traditional '76 compressor, while incorporating features never before seen in these classic models.

What sets the Seventeen 500 apart?

The heart of its innovation lies in its redesigned, IC-based input circuit, quite different from those used in classic '76 compressors. This modern design produces a clear, sharp, punchy sound when lightly compressed, and a warm, colorful vintage character when pushed. Coupled with our custom Black Lion output transformer, this circuit delivers a rich, deep low end, subtly offset by bright highs. In short, the Seventeen 500 offers a much wider tonal range than the original models.

As with all Black Lion products, the Seventeen 500 benefits from a proprietary power supply decoupling, guaranteeing an extremely low noise floor. It also uses high-end Nichicon signal capacitors, renowned for their exceptional quality and their ability to reduce noise.

But Black Lion did not want to stop there. The Seventeen 500 includes several other improvements, such as an adjustable frequency sidechain and a Wet/Dry mix button for parallel compression, a feature absent from vintage compressors. It also offers a stereo link for practical use in duo. And of course, the "all-buttons in" mode is present for explosive atmospheres or ultra-present vocals. Finally, the activation of the different ratios is now more intuitive, facilitating their simultaneous use, where classic models could be more complex.

Technical specifications:

Classic '76-style FET compressor/limiter from Black Lion Audio
Improved IC-based input circuitry delivers a clean, modern sound under light compression, with a colorful vintage character when pushed
Proprietary power supply decoupling for extremely low noise
High-end Nichicon signal capacitors
Adjustable high-pass filter for sidechaining
Wet/Dry switch for parallel compression, an option not available on vintage compressors
Stereo link function
The Seventeen 500 is more than just a tribute to the '76, it's a true reinvention of the genre.