Brick Lane Landing Page-94-2
  • Ultimate Dynamics Processing: 4-channels of PWM dynamics processing (Compression + Gate) meticulously developed by the Cranborne Audio team in the UK.

  • Versatile Operation: allows for combinations of mono, stereo, mid/side, dual-band, series, and De-Essing with flexible routing configurations

  • Intuitive Interface: Equipped with a 5” full-colour TFT screen and LED rings and digital encoders, the Brick Lane MC4 provides detailed visual feedback on all dynamics processing and parameters and ensures a user-friendly and visually intuitive experience that ensures any remote control operation is reflected on the Brick Lane MC4’s front panel.

  • Remote Control & Recall: Utilise USB and Network control and recall via the included plugin to seamlessly retrieve your preferred settings, recall previous settings, and control your Brick Lane MC4 remotely right from your DAW providing a streamlined workflow in various studio environments.

  • Custom PWM compression circuit and unique ‘Stress’ control for Harmonically-enriched compression effects.

  • “Analogue Lookahead” technology for true zero-attack compression and gating

  • 6 Compression modes - Velvet, Float, Smash, Tame, Glue, and Polish set compression ratio, knee, compression style, and compression rate of change.

  • Threshold control and variable-range Attack and Release controls (altered per mode)

  • 4 selectable sidechain HPF modes - OFF, 60Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz.

  • ±20dB Input and Output/Make-up Gain Level to tailor the compression and saturation character to the source.

  • ENIGMA compression parameters to further tune compression and saturation behaviour.

All specifications are typical performance unless otherwise noted. All specifications are subject to change at any time. Tested with Audio Precision APx555.

Technical Data

Test Signal Path

APx555 (Line Out) - Input - Line Output - APx555 (Line In)

Max Input Level

+24dBu (<0.003% THD)
Max Output Level +26.5dBu (<0.003% THD)
Frequency Response  ±0.5dB, 2 Hz - 80 kHz

Noise Floor

<-100dBu (unweighted)

Dynamic Range

>118dB

Input Impedance

Line = 43 kOhms

Output Impedance

Line = 150 Ohms

PSU Type

Internal Mains

Compression Specifications

Compression

Compression Element

Pulse Width Modulation

Switching Frequency

250kHz

Distortion (THD)

0dB Gain Reduction - <0.0006% THD+N, <0.00025% THD
 5dB Gain Reduction - <0.00085% THD
 10dB Gain Reduction - <0.00085% THD
 20dB Gain Reduction - <0.00085% THD
Harmonics (Stress Control) <20% THD depending on conditions
Frequency Range 200Hz - 6.2kHz
Sidechain Detection HPF Selectable - 60Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, OFF
Minimum Attack Time (Standard) 6 nanoseconds (2 microseconds processing delay)
Minimum Attack Time (POLISH mode with Analogue Lookahead enabled) 6 nanoseconds (0 nanoseconds processing delay @ 20kHz)

1⁄4” TRS Inserts
Type Balanced, dedicated send & return, normalled
Config Post M/S encoding & Compressor, pre M/S decoding
Max Input Level (return) +26.0dBu (<0.003% THD+N)
Max Output Level (send)  +26.0dBu (<0.003% THD+N)
Mid/Side
Type Encoder/decoder
Matrix Sum-difference matrix

Environmental

Operating Temperature

+1 to 35 degrees Celsius

Storage Conditions

-20 to 50 degrees Celsius

 

Dims/Weights
Unit
Width 48.3cm (19”) (Rackmount)
Height 8.9cm (3.5") (2u)
Depth 23.6cm (9.3")
Unit Weight  6kg (13lbs)?????
Shipping carton
Width 60cm (23.6")
Height 18cm (7")
Depth 35cm (13.8")
Carton Weight 6.5 kg (14 lbs)

 

This is Brick Lane MC4

The World’s Most Advanced Analogue Dynamics Processor

Brick Lane MC4 is a 2u 19-Inch rack, 4-channel Modal PWM Dynamics Processor with Mono, Stereo, Mid/Side, Series, Dual-Band, and De-Esser operation. An evolution of our Brick Lane 500 Modal PWM Compressor.

A New Reference in Analogue Dynamics Processing

Brick Lane MC4 represents a major leap forward in analogue dynamics design —  combining pure analogue PWM compression (compression+gate), multi-band saturation, and analogue lookahead  technology within a digitally controlled, recallable hardware platform. Each channel features a Brick Lane MC4 Modal PWM compressor with six distinct compression modes, alongside an enhanced noise gate with analogue lookahead.

Key Technological Innovations:

PWM Compression for Ultimate Analogue Compression

Pure PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) analogue signal processing

Minimises undesirable compression artefacts and distortion

Infinite control of compression envelopes, onsets, and ballistics

100% analogue signal integrity with no digital conversion

 

Analogue Lookahead Technology

Quarter-wave predictive voltage detection provides an advanced transient anticipation mechanism

Enables zero-latency dynamics control

Prevents converter clipping with surgical precision

Exclusive to POLISH mode for ultimate mastering-grade limiting

 

Proprietary Modal Compression Architecture

Six distinct compression modes - VELVET, FLOAT, SMASH, TAME, GLUE, POLISH

Full control of the compression mode and envelope from ultra-fast limiting to gentler & slower compression styles

 

ENIGMA - Advanced Compression Control

Access to deep compression parameters beyond conventional analogue controls

Adjustable compression knee, attack and release weighting, detector behaviour, high-frequency emphasis, and more

Enables precise tailoring of compressor response, from fast, percussive dynamics to softer, vintage-style behaviour

 

Transient Harmonic Saturation

Proprietary 'Stress' control enables nuanced audio coloration for each compression mode

Transforms compression into a creative instrument

 

 

Full Analogue Signal Path

Pure PWM processing

100% analogue signal integrity with no digital conversion

 

 

Modal PWM Compression Architecture

Each channel of Brick Lane MC4 is built around Cranborne Audio’s Modal PWM compression architecture, a digitally controlled analogue dynamics system that enables multiple, fundamentally different compression behaviours within a single signal path. Modal PWM compression operates by modulating the dynamics control law, time constants, and harmonic behaviour of the analogue gain stage rather than simply changing ratios or thresholds. This allows Brick Lane MC4 to deliver a wide range of compression responses while maintaining low distortion, fast response, and precise control.

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Compression Modes

VELVET
Vintage Vari-Mu-style musicality with Tube-inspired harmonic compression, offering smooth, organic dynamic control with vintage tonal warmth and character. 

TAME
Precision transient management with ultra-fast, transparent control and surgical dynamic precision.

FLOAT
Transparent Opto-inspired dynamics with moderate transparency and gentle, wavelike compression ballistics.

GLUE
Glue together all the elements of your mix with this on your master bus for gentle bus-style compression.

SMASH
FET-style transient dominance with aggressive dynamic reduction, and explosive punch and sonic impact.

POLISH
Ultimate mastering-style limiting with the cleanest, fastest analogue limiter with our "Analogue-Lookahead" technology.

Modal PWM Compression with more

Whether being used for Mono, Stereo, or Mid-Side processing, or using a combination of Series. Dual-Band, and De-esser modes available - Brick Lane MC4 features 4 channels of dynamics processing. Each dynamics channel contains an enhanced Noise Gate with Analogue Lookahead technology and a Brick Lane compressor - a Modal PWM compressor with 6 harmonically-enriched analogue saturation styles.

 

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Flexible Dynamics for Modern Analogue Workflows

Brick Lane MC4 delivers exceptional flexibility with Mono, Stereo, and Mid/Side operation, allowing each of its four dynamics channels to adapt seamlessly to tracking, mix-bus, and mastering applications. Stereo linking preserves image stability, while Mid/Side processing enables precise control over centre and width without compromising mono compatibility.

 

Series Mode allows two dynamics channels to be chained internally, creating sophisticated multi-stage dynamics processing without external patching. By distributing gain reduction across two independent stages, Series mode delivers smoother, more controlled results with enhanced transient shaping and tonal consistency.

 

Dual-Band Mode provides powerful analogue multi-band compression by splitting the signal into low and high frequency bands, each processed independently before recombination. This carefully optimised two-band architecture minimises phase interaction while offering precise low-end control and transparent high-frequency shaping—ideal for drums, bass-heavy material, full mixes, and mastering.

 

A dedicated De-Esser mode with analogue lookahead delivers smooth, accurate sibilance control without overshoot or tonal compromise. By anticipating problematic high-frequency content before gain reduction occurs, Brick Lane MC4 ensures natural, transparent results across vocals, dialogue, acoustic sources, and programme material.

 

Mid/Side Processing

Especially valuable for mastering, mixing, and sound design applications, Brick Lane MC4 allows for Mid/Side processing, allowing you to apply dynamics processing to the separate mid (center) and side (stereo width) components of your stereo signal. No additional hardware is needed, Brick Lane MC4 takes care of all the necessary encoding and decoding.

 

 

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Modal Control and Harmonic Behaviour

The Stress Control operates within the Modal PWM architecture to introduce dynamics-focused analogue harmonic saturation. The STRESS behaviour is defined by the selected compression mode.

Rather than applying a single, static saturation circuit, Brick Lane MC4 implements six distinct multi-band analogue saturation circuits, each specifically designed to operate in tandem with its corresponding Modal PWM compression behaviour. These saturation circuits are dynamicallylinked to the gain-reduction process, allowing harmonic content to evolve with signal level, envelope, and compression activity. This integrated approach recreates the characteristic non-linearities and programme-dependent behaviour found in classic analogue compressors, where tone, dynamics, and saturation are inherently connected rather than treated as separate processes.

By tailoring the saturation topology to each compression mode, Brick Lane MC4 delivers mode-appropriate harmonic behaviour - ranging from subtle density and warmth to more assertive dynamic coloration - while maintaining control, consistency, and signal integrity across a wide range of operating conditions.

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Inserts for Outboard Hardware

Brick Lane MC4 features bypassable TRS insert points on all four dynamics channels, allowing external analogue hardware to be integrated directly into the signal path. Each insert point is user-selectable within the processing chain, enabling precise placement relative to the dynamics engine and associated processing stages.

This flexibility allows a wide range of advanced workflows, including inserting external equalisation, saturation, or other analogue processors either before or after dynamics processing. In Mid/Side operation, the insert points may be positioned between M/S encoding and decoding, enabling external hardware to be applied independently to the Mid or Side components of a signal.

By providing fully integrated insert routing without the need for external patching or additional routing hardware, Brick Lane MC4 enables complex analogue signal chains while maintaining a clean, repeatable workflow.

External Sidechain Inputs

Brick Lane MC4 provides four assignable external sidechain inputs alongside a flexible internal sidechain routing system, allowing each dynamics channel to independently select its control signal source.

Each compressor can derive its sidechain from its own input signal, from another compressor’s input or sidechain, or from any of the four external sidechain inputs. This enables a wide range of dynamics control strategies, from conventional keyed compression and ducking to more complex inter-channel dynamics relationships.

This routing flexibility allows dynamics behaviour to be decoupled from the audio signal path when required, enabling precise control without altering the processed audio. In stereo, Mid/Side,

Series, or Dual-Band configurations, sidechain sources can be reassigned to suit the specific processing objective.

By offering both internal and external sidechain selection on a per-channel basis, Brick Lane MC4 supports advanced dynamics workflows while remaining intuitive and repeatable in professional analogue environments.

 

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ENIGMA - Advanced Compression Control

ENIGMA provides access to deep compression parameters that are normally fixed in analogue compressor designs, allowing the dynamic response of Brick Lane MC4 to be precisely tailored to the desired result.

Through ENIGMA, users can directly adjust parameters such as compression knee, attack and release weighting, detector behaviour, high-frequency emphasis, and more. These controls allow the compressor’s response to be shaped beyond basic threshold and ratio settings, making it possible to fine-tune how transients are captured, how gain reduction develops, and how the compressor reacts to different frequency content.

For example, hardening the compression knee and adjusting attack weighting can produce a more immediate, percussive response, while altering high-frequency emphasis and detector behaviour can introduce the softer, programme-dependent response commonly associated with vintage compressors. These adjustments enable the same compression mode to be adapted for markedly different sources and musical objectives.

ENIGMA operates entirely within the analogue Modal PWM compression system, ensuring that changes to behaviour remain predictable, repeatable, and musically relevant. This level of control allows Brick Lane MC4 to be configured with a degree of precision rarely available in analogue dynamics processors.

 

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Fully Digitally-Controlled with USB and Network options

Brick Lane MC4 takes control to a whole new level allowing all controls of the unit to be controlled remotely via USB or an Ethernet network. Our control plugin seamlessly integrates with the Brick Lane MC4 hardware via the USB or NET ports, allowing for convenient real-time control and recall from within your DAW. It also facilitates the independent saving and loading of presets.

 

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