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Smart Research

Introduction

 

If one were to take a peek into the racks of equipment that can be found in legendary recording studio facilities around the globe, that person would find compressor/limiters from Smart Research in some of the finest facilities in the world. Since 1987, the company— established by Alan Smart, one of the engineers who helped establish Solid State Logic (SSL) as a household name and whose work helped transform the company into the formidable presence in the world of professional music that it has become, has created dynamics processors that bring the sound of the vintage SSL consoles of the early 1980s into the racks of artists, engineers, musicians and producers. The company produces products that feature impeccable engineering, tremendous versatility and legendary sound quality.

 

How did the legendary engineers of the past use the products that are highlighted in this article from Smart Research? 

 

In just about every recording studio facility that I had the opportunity to work on a recording session, you would have found legendary engineers using the compressor/limiters from Smart Research. The most common use for these products were as either mix buss compressors or as drum submix compressors. Though these products are often used as the final glue for either a mix or a submix, there were engineers who did use them as dual-mono compressors on singular instrument tracks, such as an electric guitar, or more commonly on a kick or a snare drum. These compressor/limiter units are extremely versatile, and can be used to great effect in a wider variety of scenarios rather than just for mix or submix buss compression— though, the engineers who used them for this component of the recording process used them for it quite often and to tremendous effect.  

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Smart Research C1LA

 

The Smart Research CL1A is a 500-series unit that is an incredibly versatile compressor/limiter that just sounds amazing on any source. Even though it is a 500-series unit, it can be used as either a mix or submix buss compressor and in this capacity, it will absolutely shine. But, it can also be used on mono sources as well and to great effect. It is a superb compressor/limiter that will give you both the versatility and the amazing sound quality of its larger rack-mount siblings. Keep in mind, the Smart Research CL1A is a 500-series unit and will require the use of a compatible 500-series chassis.

Image: Smart Research C1LA

Image courtesy-- Smart Research

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Image: Smart Research C1

Image courtesy-- Smart Research

Smart Research C1

 

The Smart Research C1 is a dual-mono and or stereo compressor/limiter that is a rack-mount unit and is used in fine recording studio facilities around the world. Just like its sibling, the Smart Research CL1A, this powerful compressor/limiter is incredibly well-engineered and extremely versatile. This unit can be found (along with the other siblings in the Smart Research product line-up) used across a mix buss, a submix buss and on dual-mono sources— such as a kick drum, snare drum or for a pair of electric guitars. It is a single-space rack-mount unit. 

Why should an educational institution invest in products from Smart Research?

 

Smart Research is the brainchild of one of the true legends— a pioneer in the world of professional music recording technologies— Alan Smart. His company has produced some of the most famous products in the professional music recording world since its inception in 1987. While the company makes more than just its famed compressor/limiters, it is safe to say that each of the products in its lineup is recognized around the world for its engineering craftsmanship, versatility and of course, its amazing sound quality. The company is dedicated to excellent customer service and their products are easy to find and to purchase. Though their products are built for recording studio applications in mind, they are also incredibly durable. The products from Smart Research are long-term investments, which means that you will enjoy them for decades of fabulous use.  

 

If you would like more information about Smart Research and the amazing products that were discussed in this article, please use the following links which are listed below.

 

Smart Research— C1LA

Smart Research— C1

 

The following link will take you to the Smart Research website where you can learn more about this amazing company and see more of their fabulous products. 

 

Smart Research

 

Special Note: Each of the images in this article appear through the courtesy and generosity of the wonderful people at Smart Research Ltd.

 

Special Thanks— At The Recording Session Vault Educational Website Project, we would like to take a moment to express our thanks and appreciation to Alan Smart at Smart Research Ltd for his time and assistance with this article.

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