Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 4-channel Modal PWM Compressor

Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 4-channel Modal PWM Compressor

4-channel Compressor with Modal PWM Technology, 6 Compression Modes, Harmonic Saturation, Per-channel Inserts, Sidechain Inputs and HPF, Noise Gate, and De-essing

The Ultimate Dynamics Processor for the Modern Studio

An evolution of Cranborne Audio’s modal pulse-width modulation compression technology pioneered by the Brick Lane 500, the Brick Lane MC4 is a fully analog, 4-channel rackmount compressor with revolutionary compression circuitry. Like its single-channel predecessor, Brick Lane MC4 is built around Cranborne Audio’s proprietary Modal PWM technology and features six highly useful compression modes, but it takes the concept much further with stereo and mid-side processing, plus combinable series, dual-band, and mid-side modes, advanced noise gating and de-essing with analog lookahead, six harmonically enriched analog saturation types, and so much more. 

Sonic transformation

The key to the Brick Lane MC4’s remarkable performance is Cranborne’s Modal PWM compression technology, a digitally controlled analog dynamics architecture that enables multiple, intrinsically distinct compression behaviors within a single signal path. As opposed to traditional dynamics-control protocols that rely on changing ratios or thresholds, Modal PWM compression uses pulse-width modulation to modulate the dynamics control, time constants, and harmonic behavior of the analog gain stage, thus allowing Brick Lane MC4 to offer a broad range of compression responses while ensuring vanishingly low distortion, quick response, and precise control. The inherent versatility of this unique technology manifests itself in Brick Lane MC4’s six compression modes, each with distinctive compression characteristics designed to deliver a unique sonic signature.

• Velvet: Smooth, musical, and organic-sounding vintage vari-mu type compression with tubelike harmonics
• Float: Transparent opto-style dynamics with gentle, wavelike compression ballistics
• Smash: FET-style compression with aggressive dynamics control, explosive punch, and high impact
• Tame: Transparent, ultra-fast transient management with surgical dynamic precision
• Glue: Classic master bus compression fortifies mixes with punch and apparent loudness
• Polish: Fast, clean mastering-style limiting with Cranborne’s Analogue Lookahead technology and two switchable modes

Modal control and harmonic behavior

For further fine-tuning, you have traditional Threshold and variable Attack and Release controls, the ranges of which are dependent on the chosen mode. The icing on the cake, however, is a unique Stress control that lets you enrich the compressed signal by dialing in euphonic even-order harmonic content. Operating within the Modal PWM architecture, the Stress control introduces dynamics-focused analog harmonic saturation, the behavior of which is defined by the chosen compression mode. Rather than applying a single, static saturation circuit, Brick Lane MC4 implements any one of six discrete multiband analog saturation circuits, each designed to operate in concert with its corresponding Modal PWM mode’s behavior. Dynamically linked to the gain-reduction process, these saturation circuits allow harmonic content to evolve with signal level, envelope, and compression action. This holistic approach conjures the characteristic non-linearities and program-dependent behavior found in classic analog compressors, in which dynamics, saturation, and tone are fully integrated rather than treated as separate processes.

Enigma: deep parameter control

Enigma, another proprietary Cranborne Audio feature, gives you access to deep compression parameters that are normally fixed in analog compressor designs, allowing Brick Lane MC4’s dynamic response to be precisely tailored to produce your desired results. Through Enigma, you can directly adjust parameters such as compression knee, attack and release weighting, detector behavior, high-frequency emphasis, and more. Having access to these settings allows for compression response to be shaped far beyond what is achievable using only basic threshold and ratio controls. With Enigma, for instance, you can fine-tune how transients are captured, how gain reduction develops, or how the compressor responds to certain frequency content. Like the Stress control, Enigma operates within the analog Modal PWM compression architecture, ensuring that behavioral changes are always predictable, repeatable, and musically pertinent. This exacting level of control lets you configure Brick Lane MC4 with an unprecedented degree of precision.

Series mode: create dynamics chains

Brick Lane MC4’s Series mode allows two of its channels to be routed in series within a single signal path, enabling sequential dynamics processing without the need for external patching. Ideally suited to sources that benefit from layered control, such as vocals, bass, and drums, Series mode provides an easy, streamlined method for executing this common studio practice while ensuring the precision, stability, and repeatability modern analog workflows require.

Dual-band mode: powerful multiband analog compression

Brick Lane MC4’s Dual-band mode splits a source into low- and high-frequency bands and processes each band through its own Modal PWM dynamics channel before recombining them. This allows for fundamentally different low- and high-frequency behaviors to be managed individually and optimally. Dual-band mode yields maximum low-end punch and definition while preserving high end clarity and transient response by eliminating the influence of low frequencies on compression activity. Brick Lane MC4 is also equipped with selectable sidechain highpass filters (60Hz, 100Hz, and 200Hz) that provide similar functionality. And while we’re on the subject, let’s take a look at Brick Lane’s sidechain inputs.

Sidechain inputs add valuable flexibility

While every dynamics processor has a sidechain circuit that examines the signal and determines how much it will reduce gain, not every unit provides access to its sidechain. In compressors without a separate sidechain input, your main input signal is, essentially, compressing itself. With compressors like the Brick Lane MC4, you can insert external processing on the sidechain — or introduce a different signal that determines the compression action on the main signal. This is an incredibly useful feature that allows dynamics behavior to be decoupled from the audio signal path when required, enabling precision control without affecting the processed audio. A common use case would be to automatically duck a track to make space for another — for example, auto-ducking music under a voice-over — or using a kick drum as a trigger to create the popular EDM mix pumping effect. By offering per-channel internal and external sidechain selection, Brick Lane MC4 supports sophisticated professional dynamics processing workflows while providing intuitive, recallable operation.

Inserts for outboard hardware

Brick Lane MC4’s rear panel is spec’d with bypassable TRS insert points on all four channels, permitting external analog hardware to be inserted directly into the signal path. With each insert point being selectable within the processing chain, precise placement relative to the dynamics engine and associated processing stages is ensured. This flexibility facilitates a broad range of advanced workflows, such as inserting external EQ, saturation, or other analog processing either before or after dynamics processing. In mid-side operation, the insert points can be positioned between M-S encoding and decoding, enabling external hardware to be applied independently to either the mid or side components of a signal. By providing fully integrated insert routing without requiring patching or routing hardware, Brick Lane MC4 enables the creation of complex analog signal chains while maintaining a streamlined, repeatable workflow.

Mono, stereo, and mid-side operation

Brick Lane MC4 acclimates seamlessly into a broad range of professional workflows. With each of its four dynamics channels configurable for independent mono processing, linked stereo operation, or mid-side processing, Brick Lane MC4 is an indispensable tool for tracking, mixing, or mastering. When processing stereo sources or buses, stereo linking ensures coherent gain reduction across paired channels to preserve image stability. Mid-side (M-S) mode provides precise control over the center and lateral components of a mix, allowing you to target vocals, bass, ambience, and mix width for dynamic shaping while ensuring mono compatibility. Brick Lane MC4’s flexible routing architecture allows it to move freely between corrective dynamic control, creative enhancement, and final polish duties.

The benefits of mid-side processing

Prized by audio pros for its coherent phasing and bulletproof mono compatibility, mid-side processing is a stereo encoding/decoding technique that opens up a tasty menu of image enhancement possibilities. Long used in vinyl disc mastering to limit lateral and vertical cutting lathe head excursion, mid-side processing is useful in mixing, mastering, and sound design for widening the stereo soundstage as well as for tightening and centering the low end by summing only the bass frequencies to mono. The Brick Lane MC4 features a mid-side processing mode that allows you to apply compression and harmonic enhancement to the separate mid (center) and side (lateral) components of a stereo signal. The Brick Lane MC4 handles all the necessary encoding and decoding, negating the need for additional M-S processing hardware or software. Effectively employed, the Brick Lane’s mid-side functionality can result in mixes with increased width, depth, focus, and punch.

Comprehensive local and remote control

For comprehensive control and detailed visual feedback on all parameters, Brick Lane MC4 offers an intuitive control interface with a 5-inch, full-color TFT screen, LED rings, and digital encoders. But beyond its faceplate, Brick Lane MC4 takes control to the next level with all parameters remotely controllable via USB or Ethernet. Cranborne Audio’s remote control plug-in seamlessly integrates with the Brick Lane MC4 hardware unit via its rear-panel USB or NET ports, facilitating comprehensive real-time control and recall and the saving and loading of presets directly from within your DAW.

Unmatched value and versatility

In one 2U rackmount chassis, the Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 not only gives you access to every traditional style of dynamics control you’d ever be likely to use — it provides a blank canvas for quickly creating your own — transforming compression from a utilitarian function into a creative instrument. Packing your rack with separate compressors would easily cost you five figures to even approach what the Brick Lane MC4 can do. And of course, you’d be forfeiting its elegantly streamlined operational efficiency. All of which makes the Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 a stunning value — and the ultimate dynamics processor for the modern studio.

Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 Features:

• 4-ch. compressor with proprietary Modal PWM architecture
• PWM (pulse-width modulation) processing with full analog signal path
• 100% analog signal integrity with no digital conversion
• Combine mono, stereo, mid-side, dual-band, series, and de-essing with flexible routing
• Minimizes undesirable compression artifacts and distortion
• Infinite control of compression envelopes, onsets, and ballistics
• 6 distinct compression modes: Velvet, Float, Smash, Tame, Glue, and Polish
• Full control, from ultra-fast limiting to gentler compression styles
• Per-channel inserts allow external hardware to be integrated directly into the signal path
• Per-channel sidechain inputs let you control compression with external sources
• Selectable sidechain highpass filters: 60Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz
• Precise response tailoring: from fast, percussive dynamics to soft, vintage-style behavior
• Cranborne’s proprietary Analogue Lookahead technology
• Advanced transient anticipation mechanism with quarter-wave predictive voltage detection
• Zero-latency dynamics control for compression and noise gate
• Transient Harmonic Saturation; precision clipping avoidance
• Proprietary Stress control enables bespoke coloration for each compression mode
• Advanced Enigma compression control for fine-tuning compression and saturation
• Access to deep compression parameters beyond traditional controls
• Adjustable compression knee, attack, and release weighting, detector behavior, high-frequency emphasis, and more
• Intuitive interface with 5-in. full-color TFT screen, LED rings, and digital encoders
• Comprehensive remote control from within your DAW via companion plug-in
• Rear-panel USB-A and Ethernet ports
• Robust 2U 19-in. rackmount chassis

STL Pro Audio is the exclusive NZ distributor for Cranbourne Audio Dealer