Black Lion Audio Level-Loc: Modernized Vintage Compressor with Legendary Grit

Vintage Vibe, Modern Power
The Black Lion Audio Level-Loc is a boutique re-creation of the iconic Shure Level-Loc, a sought-after hardware compressor revered for its aggressive compression and gritty tonal character. Originally designed in the 1960s for speech reinforcement, the Level-Loc quickly became a studio secret weapon for its ability to crush dynamics, saturate signals, and impart a signature grind to drums, guitars, and more.

In collaboration with Shure, Black Lion Audio faithfully captures the sonic essence and quirks of the original Level-Loc while introducing modern features, connectivity, and reliability. The Level-Loc brings its legendary bite and grit to modern studios, offering creative tools for heavy compression, saturation, and distortion—all without the auction site price or aging hardware headaches.

Can it crush? Shure it can.

Key Features

• Classic Compression Reimagined
  • Faithful recreation of the vintage Shure Level-Loc with its fixed compression ratio and distinctive tonal character.
• Modern Enhancements for Today’s Studios
  • Mix Control: Achieve instant parallel compression and tailor the blend to taste.
  • Combo Jack Input: Accepts both mic-level and line-level signals without the need for adapters.
  • TRS and XLR Outputs: Modern connectivity options with high/low impedance settings.
  • Phantom Power and Pad: +48v for condenser mics and a 50 dB pad for additional control.
  • Release Mod: Switch between fast and slow release times for versatile dynamic shaping.
• Saturation and Distortion Options
  Push the Level-Loc’s limits by driving the input signal to achieve everything from subtle harmonic warmth to full-on distortion. Combine this with heavy compression for a truly unique sonic signature.
• Creative Compression Controls
  The “Distance Selector” sets the compression threshold, allowing you to adjust input levels and dial in aggressive, room-enhancing parallel compression for drums, guitars, and vocals.
• Unmatched Bite and Grit
  True to its heritage, the Level-Loc excels at adding character and attitude to your mixes, making it a go-to tool for bold and adventurous producers.

Specifications

• Compression Ratio: Fixed, heavy
• Release Times: Selectable (Fast/Slow)
• Inputs: Combo jack (Mic/Line Level)
• Outputs: XLR and TRS
• Phantom Power: +48v
• Pad: 50 dB
• Mix Control: Yes, for parallel compression
• Additional Features: High/low impedance selector, saturation options