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BAE 500C 500 Series FET Compressor

500 Series FET Compressor with Input, Output, Attack, and Release Controls; Six Compression Ratios, and Sidechain Highpass Filter
5 Write review Item ID: 500CFET
$1,200.00

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BAE 500C 500 Series FET Compressor
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Classic FET Compression for Your 500 Series Rack

The FET compressors of the 1960s and '70s shaped the sound of innumerable great recordings. Inspired by those time-honored designs, the BAE 500C 500 Series module features controls for input and output gain, plus four selectable classic compression ratios of 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, and 20:1; to which BAE adds a barely-there 2:1 ratio which still gives you the analog warmth of the 500C's 2520-style op-amps and transformer-coupled output. Want to go through the circuitry without any compression? Simply hit the GR Off button. On the other hand, if you're looking to mercilessly crush your signal, go for the infamous "all-buttons-in" (ABI) mode. A side-chain highpass filter is onboard for those times when you wish to minimize or eliminate the influence of low frequencies on gain reduction. With its lightning-fast response time and pristine signal path, the amazingly versatile 500C is your go-to device for everything from subtle, transparent dynamics control to full-on brickwall limiting.

Related Videos: 500C 500 Series FET Compressor

Enhances every signal you feed it

At Sweetwater, we love the 500C on bass, kick drum, snare, and vocals. It's great for taming peaks on brass and reeds, and it renders string sections shimmery and creamy-smooth. It's a must-have for punchy parallel processing on drums, and if you have two of them, the possibilities become even greater. Handwired in California, the 500C is built to BAE's usual exacting standards with premium components and a classic circuit design. Every studio needs a good compressor/limiter, and if you're already invested in the 500 Series, the BAE 500C is a no brainer.

BAE 500C 500 Series FET Compressor Features:

  • Classic FET gain reduction circuit design
  • 3 x 2520-style op-amps
  • Transformer-coupled output
  • Feedback-style peak limiter
  • Sidechain highpass filter: 6dB/octave @ 125Hz
  • Hard bypass switch
  • Gain Reduction On/Off
  • Compression ratios: 2:1, 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, ABI ("all-buttons-in")
  • Full casing enclosure
  • High-quality components throughout
  • Maximum input before clipping: +27dBu
  • Noise: -82dB (+4dBu input, 1KHz, A-weighted, GR off)
  • THD+N: 0.15% (+4dBu input, 1KHz, A-weighted, GR off)
  • Frequency response: 10Hz-22KHz (+0.3dB/-0dB )
  • Single-width module, requires compatible 500 Series chassis
  • Current Draw: Approximately 120mA/rail
  • Handcrafted in BAE's North Hollywood, CA facility

Additional Media

500 Series Buying Guide
Signal Processing Buying Guide

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Tech Specs

  • Processor Type: FET Compressor
  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Controls: Input, Output, Release, Attack
  • Ratio: 2:1, 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, ABI
  • Bypass: Hard bypass switch
  • Power Usage: ±16V DC, 120mA
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 500C

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Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5

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Amazing product…but BAE product assistance could use some work…

The 500C is an amazing compressor - knocks the hide off the WA76 I had earlier. Also very versatile, and the inclusion of the ABI ratio option is killer. This module has a great sound even without any gain reduction occurring, but when you hit that sweet spot of compression for whatever you're running through it…really a joy just to switch the bypass off and on and hear the richness, fullness, but also the rockiness shine through. Just does everything an 1176 clone should, and better than probably most on the market in this price range - probably on par with the well regarded Purple Audio MC77.

So why did I only give 4.5 stars - I find BAE's product assistance/customer service really disappointing. Not only do they seemingly not produce any manuals for their products, their support by email in my experience has been pretty woeful. One line responses, no hello/goodbye, not even really answering the question…just simple elements of common human courtesy that the reps at BAE seem to lack. These are my three experiences with their customer support, all by email:

1. Question about what the lights on the power supply of my BAE 500 series rack refer to - just a one line response with no salutation that said "the leds are on to show the power is working" - well duh I'd already figured that out, I wanted to know what they individually refer to.

2. Question about whether my BAE 500 series rack can support high current draw, tube-based modules - one line response again - "it's a 1.67 amp psu" - again, yes, I am aware of that as I can read, and that's not what I asked. Still don't know if it's capable of supporting more power hungry modules.

3. Request for info on output transformer in the 500C module, which has no brand or product markings whatsoever. I didn't think this was an unreasonable request, to ask for a little more info on the components in a module I just paid $ for - they didn't even bother responding to that email.

Yea I get it, they're busy, OK, but these are just simple human elements that go a long way to building customer loyalty and respect. Seems to be sorely lacking over at BAE.
by BE on
Music background: Artist, producer

Killer Comp

Great little compressor... I had an MC77, but for some reason I didn't jive with it. I ended up selling it and bought this later to get that 1176 vibe. I found this super easy to dial in and it sounds great. I've only experimented with it on drums, but I think it'll be a great vocal tracking compressor. Stays fairly clean, but will do some cool things if you really slam it with higher ratios- especially the "ABI" setting. If you're searing for a FET comp in the 500 series format, this is definitely one to check out.
by Sweetwater Customer on

1176 in 500 Series!

I have had this compressor for a few weeks now and there is really not much to say. Everything about this compressor is amazing! If you are looking for an 1176 in a 500 series, just go ahead and purchase this one. You won't regret it. And I say this as someone who spent money on another 1176 style 500 series compressor prior to buying the 500c and sent it back.
by Subtonic from Dallas, TX on
Music background: Audio Engineer & Music Producer

My new favorite

Just showed up today and I already printed bass, vox and drum tracks through this unit from a recent session. Amazing gloss with cohesive glue that brings tracks together, and with a little knob adjustment this thing brings out the slap and attack of every note on everything. Thanks to Jeff Jent for the repeated awesome service, I'm amazed at how great it has been to purchase all my gear through Sweetwater and have an actual person to contact with any order questions and changes.
by John from NC on

'ol faithful 1176 for my lunchbox

I've had this compressor for about 6 months now, and find myself reaching for it more and more often. I am currently wrapping up my third tour with it across Europe and North America, and it is definitely built for the task. My RND R6 is my mobile vocal recording chain with a BAE 1073D and either the 500C or my Shadow Hills Mono Opto. Ive had my BAE 1073 in this rack or a few years and their build quality is truly second to none. no issues ever, with LOTS of travel, voltage switching and general abuse. This unit compliments the shadow hills perfectly, for when I need a faster compressor and/or a more forward, biting tone. this thing is truly like having a snack-sized 1176, just less noisy! I would actually prefer this unit over an older 1176 many studios have that are often unserviced, noisy, and tend to thin out the vocal. not the case here. this thing works! The layout is not perfect, and I don't love the GR meter, but it does work just fine and I have gotten used to it. got to use your ears with this thing. vintage 1176 meters can't be trusted anyway.

The attack and release knobs correspond to the original unit, but the input and output levels DO NOT. so be careful your first time firing it up.

If I could change anything, I would make this thing double wide and put a real VU meter with the option to see input and output levels.
by Max Lord from Los Angeles on
Music background: Grammy winning recording engineer
See also: 500 Series Compressors, BAE, BAE 500 Series Dynamics
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