AEA 1029 Stereo VCA Compressor

The AEA 1029 is a clean two-channel stereo VCA compressor in a half-rack format. AEA designed it as a natural partner for its TRP and RPQ ribbon mic preamps, and it suits a desktop setup as well as a rack.

Two THAT 4305 VCA chips are driven by a single RMS detector fed from the summed inputs, so both channels move together and the stereo image holds steady. The audio path uses a proprietary discrete op-amp design by Fred Forssell.

Key features

• Two channels with XLR inputs and outputs, linked for stereo
• Three-position sensing time: Peak Fast, RMS and Peak Slow
• Threshold variable from -20 dBu to +20 dBu
• Ratio variable from 1:1 to limiting
• Up to 20 dB of make-up gain
• Dry/wet control for parallel compression
• True relay bypass
• Half-rack chassis, made in the USA