The Gainlab Audio Dictator is a dual pentode vari-μ compressor combining classic valve compression with modern precision, offering mastering-grade control, rich saturation, and Session Recall integration.
The Gainlab Audio Dictator Dual Pentode Vari-μ Compressor is a tube-based dynamics processor designed with inspiration from legendary valve compressors such as the Fairchild 670 and Gates STA-Level, while incorporating modern refinements for today’s production environments.
At its core, the Gainlab Audio Dictator uses a pair of long-life pentodes from the Warsaw Pact era, celebrated for their exceptional quality and stability, integrated into a bespoke “mu-follower” design. This ensures both channels operate in perfect synchrony across the full transition curve, delivering smooth and musical gain reduction.
The Dictator offers the familiar timing behaviour and saturation characteristics of vintage vari-mu compressors, but with extended flexibility and precision. It is capable of subtle dynamic control for mastering and bus compression, or, when pushed harder, can introduce rich harmonic saturation, aggressive transient shaping, and gritty textures ideal for creative sound design.
Whether used as a transparent master compressor or as a colourful saturator, the Gainlab Audio Dictator delivers character and control in equal measure.
Built with military-grade valves, permalloy transformers, and a contemporary side-chain circuit, the Gainlab Audio Dictator is engineered for both reliability and sonic excellence. The inclusion of Session Recall software support allows for seamless integration into hybrid studio workflows, enabling engineers to save and recall complete settings.
Features
Download the User Manual in PDF format.
$4,125 Inc GST
