A-Designs Audio HM2 Nail

Description

The A-Designs NAIL is one of the most musical yet transparent compressors ever manufactured. Housing hand-selected tube circuitry and top-shelf components specifically chosen to best compliment and enrich the extended bandwidth of state of the art recording and mixing tools, the Nail is completely at home strapped across the main outs of hardware mixers or breathing analog warmth into DAW setups.

While it has the ability to add character to any sound, it can also control dynamics very subtly in the background; and, unlike most compressors, the NAIL can be hit really hard without having the top end dragged down.

Being able to switch from linked stereo to dual mono makes it a perfect tracking compressor as well;  or, on a stereo mix, using dual mono with different settings on each side which can have the effect of making the mix sound wider.

The NAIL’s unique combination of Threshold, Hard Threshold, and Filter allow precise control over the amount of  compression, the level at which it will engage, and the frequencies above which it will act.  There is no need for a Ratio  control – it is continuously self-adjusting in response to program material.  With Hard Threshold disengaged, Threshold  increases gain reduction (like an LA2A), the attack and release controls don’t do much, and the NAIL becomes a model of  simplicity – set its threshold and gain, and let the NAIL work its magic.

For finer control, Hard Threshold opens up a world of  compression-/envelope-shaping possibilities. Like the hard knee of a traditional compressor, Hard Threshold works in  conjunction with the Filter – a variable HPF continuously tunable from 8Hz to 250Hz. Once the Hard Threshold is crossed,  the NAIL will apply desired compression above the selected frequency and less to the frequencies below, preventing higher-energy bass frequencies from triggering unwanted compression and ducking the entire mix. The Filter can also be used to  enhance bottom end for bass-heavy music without throwing the mix’s entire frequency spectrum out of whack, as a multi- band compressor often does.

As its name suggests – whether it’s transparently controlling dynamics while getting tracks into your DAW or hardware  recorder, squashing sounds to give them more character, or putting the finishing touches on a final mix….the A-Designs HM2  Compressor Nails it!

Features:

• Dual Mono with Stereo Link
• Hybrid Design (Tube and Solid State)
• 12AT7 Tubes
• LED Meters switchable with Link mode
• Mix Control to adjust how much compression you wish to add or subtract
• Attack
• Release
• Threshold (Gain Reduction)
• Hard Threshold
• High-Pass Key Filter
• Gain Control (Output)
• Custom-Milled Aluminum Knobs

Specifications:

• Solid state/tube hybrid design combines high performance with rich sound.
• Dual channel with switchable stereo link or dual mono modes.
• Mix control lets you blend wet/dry signal for parallel compression.
• Hard Threshold and Filter let you select amount of compression and frequency (to 250Hz) to prevent mix from being “dragged down” by LF energy.
• Awarded “Mix Certified Hit” by Mix magazine.
• Custom-milled aluminum knobs.
• Custom-milled aluminum faceplate.
• LED Indicators switchable to stereo.
• Gain-reduction switch for meters.
• 2U rackmount.
• Balanced XLR outputs.
• Carling toggle power switch.
• Red jewel power indicator.
• Frequency response: 3Hz – 50Khz • Noise: -89dbu
• Balanced Input: XLR
• Balanced Output: XLR
• Clipping: +20dbu
• Filter: Off – 8Hz (starting point) – 250Hz
• Channel Isolation @1kHz: 90dB
• Variable Ratio: Self adjusting
• Mix (direct/compression): Complete bypass to complete compression
• Power Requirements: 120/230VAC – 23 Watts
• Dimensions: 19” x 3-1/2” x 10” (W-H-D)
• Weight: 10 lbs.
• Shipping weight: 12 lbs.

Nail User manual

Nail Recall sheet

Product registration

Additional information