TL Audio Ivory 2 5052

First owner; the unit dates from the mid-2000s and was purchased from the official TL Audio distributor in Poland. It has been used gently in a home studio.

Dual Valve Recording Channel / Stereo Channel Strip

The TL Audio Ivory 2 5052 is a dual-channel analogue recording processor combining microphone, line and instrument preamplification with compression, four-band EQ and peak limiting.

Each channel can operate independently, while the compressor, equaliser and limiter sections may be linked separately for stereo use. This makes the 5052 suitable for recording, mixing, bus processing and mastering-style applications.

Main features

• Two independent channels
• Microphone, line and front-panel instrument inputs
• Hybrid solid-state and valve signal path
• Phantom power
• 30 dB microphone pad
• 90 Hz high-pass filter
• Polarity reverse
• Four-band EQ with two parametric mid bands
• Compressor with variable threshold, ratio, attack, release and make-up gain
• Hard- and soft-knee modes
• EQ routing before or after the compressor
• EQ insertion into the compressor side-chain
• Separate peak limiter
• Balanced channel inserts
• Compressor side-chain access
• Balanced XLR and unbalanced jack outputs
• VU metering for level and gain reduction
• Independent stereo linking of compressor, EQ and limiter
• Provision for the optional TL Audio DO2 digital output card

The input stage can provide relatively clean amplification at moderate settings, while higher drive levels introduce more audible valve colour and harmonic thickness.

The compressor can be used for either gentle dynamic control or more pronounced processing. The flexible EQ is suitable for broad tonal shaping as well as corrective adjustments, and its position in the signal chain can be changed depending on the application.

A separate peak limiter is placed after the output gain stage, helping control final output peaks. The VU meters can display input level, output level, compressor gain reduction or limiter activity.

Rear-panel connections include microphone and line inputs, balanced inserts, compressor side-chain sockets, balanced XLR outputs and unbalanced jack outputs.

The 5052 works well for vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, stereo instruments, drum buses, subgroups and complete stereo mixes.

For a detailed technical overview, see Hugh Robjohns’ review of the TL Audio Ivory 2 5052 in the November 2003 issue of Sound On Sound. The final section of this text:
"Twice As Nice?

The 5052 tech specs and characteristics are very similar to other Ivory 2 units. The input section is clean and quiet when the drive level is modest, although pushing the gain higher produces the desired warmth and character (in other words, second harmonic distortion) expected from a triode valve stage. The amount of 'thickening' is very controllable by manipulating the gain structure through the unit's processing stages. Although not able to match the best esoteric preamps, the mic input passed my 12-string acoustic guitar test quite respectably, demonstrating that it is able to resolve complex harmonic signals well.

The Equaliser section is well designed and flexible, serving well for creative tonal polishing while still having sufficient precision for corrective tweaking of wayward sources. Being able to switch the EQ before the compressor or into the side-chain is useful too. The compressor is also a good workmanlike design, providing gentle or dominant control of dynamics as required. It sounds clean and accurate most of the time, and is always musically complementary when set up carefully.

The quality of construction of this processor, and its intrinsic hybrid sound quality, easily justify the substantial UK cost, although it has little direct competition. Overall, this is a very competent processor, which is easy to use and provides a well-balanced range of facilities — the possibility of a digital input in the future is also an exciting prospect. Whether for tracking, mixing, or mastering, the 5052 stereo valve processor will serve well, bringing a controllable valve character to the party as well as enabling both creative and corrective signal processing through the EQ, compressor and peak limiter."