DOCtron’s IMC (Instant Mastering Chain) is a compact EQ, dynamics and saturation processor that was designed primarily for allowing those performing live sets with electronic instruments and equipment to compete with DJs playing finished, mastered material. Its high-quality design also makes it a useful tool in the studio, however, and DOCtron have now released the IMC‑500, which places same components in a double-width 500-series module.
As with the original IMC, the new device houses a two-band EQ section equipped with high and low shelves placed at 60Hz and 2kHz, each offering ±14dB of gain. A THAT-based VCA compressor section features adjustable threshold, attack and release parameters (including an auto release function) and offers ratios ranging from 1:1.5 to 1:10, and can be switched between feed-forward and feedback operation. A saturation stage then employs Lundahl transformers to add some subtle colouration to the signal, and is kitted out with adjustable controls over drive and output level.
The new module does omit the headphone amplifier and external side-chain input/filter found on the original unit, although DOCtron are planning to release an additional IMC-EXP expansion module that will provide both features along with a VU meter.
Key Specs
- Dynamic range: 104dB (A)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: -104dB (A)
- THD (no drive): 0.0099%
- Maximum output level: +24 dBu
SOS Review
To find out more about what the IMC is capable of, you can check out our review from the February 2023 issue of SOS.
Pricing & Availability
The IMC System-500 is available to order now, priced at $1629.73£1299 including VAT.
