Summer NAMM 18: Black Lion Seventeen | SM Mastering

At SM Mastering, we continuously monitor the evolution of analog outboard gear to ensure our hybrid mastering chain remains state-of-the-art. During our coverage of mid-year gear releases, one specific announcement caught the attention of our engineering team. The unveiling of the summer namm 18: black lion seventeen showcased a highly modified, modern take on the classic 1176 FET limiting amplifier design, promising premium performance at a project-studio price point.

For decades, the 1176 topology has been a cornerstone of aggressive dynamics control. Originating from the design legacy popularized by brands like Universal Audio, FET compression is celebrated for its lightning-fast attack times and colorful harmonic saturation. However, instead of simply cloning the vintage blueprints, Black Lion Audio opted to redesign the circuit feedback path, integrate a custom-wound output transformer, and introduce modern sidechain filtering. This makes the summer namm 18: black lion seventeen a unique beast that addresses the frequency response and noise-floor limitations of mid-century hardware.

The Legacy and Innovations of Summer NAMM 18: Black Lion Seventeen

For engineers seeking that classic FET grit without the vintage price tag, the summer namm 18: black lion seventeen represents a massive leap forward in affordable high-end hardware. The unit operates on a decoupled power supply that drastically lowers the noise floor compared to vintage originals. This ultra-quiet operation is crucial when mastering or processing delicate acoustic transients, a topic we explore in depth across our other resources at the SM Mastering Audio Articles archive.

Our team analyzed the unit’s custom-wound output transformer, which makes the summer namm 18: black lion seventeen punch way above its weight class. It delivers a rich, thick low-end response and a smooth top-end sheen that is often lacking in budget-friendly clones. Furthermore, the inclusion of detented potentiometers is a game-changer for professional studios. Precise stereo matching and exact session recall are historically difficult with traditional continuously-variable 1176 controls, but this unit resolves that issue entirely.

Technical Specifications

To help you understand where this unit fits in your rack, we have compiled its key technical specifications below:

Practical Studio Workflow Tips

When configuring sidechain filters, the summer namm 18: black lion seventeen behaves beautifully, allowing low-end energy to pass through unaffected. This is particularly useful for modern electronic music or heavy rock mixes. Below are our recommended starting settings for integrating this hardware into your tracking or mixing workflow:

• Vocal Presence: Set the ratio to 4:1, Attack at 3 (medium-fast), and Release at 5. Engage the high-pass sidechain filter at 80Hz to prevent low-end vocal plosives from triggering unnecessary gain reduction.
• Parallel Drum Crush: Engage the legendary “all-buttons-in” mode (or experiment with custom button combinations) to create a explosive drum room sound. Mix this highly compressed signal back with your dry drum bus for instant weight and transient excitement.
• Mix Bus Glue: While FET compressors are traditionally too aggressive for master bus applications, using two linkable units with a mild 2:1 ratio and the sidechain filter engaged can add a pleasant vintage cohesive texture.

Conclusion

Ultimately, integrating the summer namm 18: black lion seventeen into a modern hybrid setup is incredibly straightforward. By blending vintage FET character with modern circuit improvements, Black Lion Audio has delivered a highly versatile tool that excels on vocals, drums, and bass guitars alike. At its highly competitive price point of $649, it stands as a testament to how far modern analog manufacturing has come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the “all-buttons-in” mode on the Seventeen?

The “all-buttons-in” mode (often called “nuke” mode) mimics a classic quirk of vintage 1176 units where pressing all ratio buttons simultaneously changes the bias of the circuit. This results in a highly aggressive, over-the-top compression curve with heavy harmonic saturation. The Black Lion Seventeen allows you to use this mode as well as unique “in-between” button combinations for customized compression curves.

Can the Seventeen be linked for stereo mastering?

Yes, the unit features stereo linking capabilities. However, because FET tolerances can vary slightly, you will need two matched units and a calibration process to ensure perfect image stability across the stereo field.

What are the benefits of detented knobs on this unit?

Detented knobs move in discrete, stepped increments instead of a smooth sweep. This makes it incredibly easy to document your settings and perfectly recreate the exact level of compression and gain during subsequent recall sessions.

Written by SM Mastering

Official content on sound engineering, mixing, mastering, and advanced electronic production by SM Mastering.