Serpent Audio SB4001
Stereo Bus Compressor
Compressor / Limiter$1,499Manufacturer list price
Specifications
- Type
- Compressor / Limiter
- Description
- Stereo Bus Compressor
- Topology
- VCA, discrete (Quad VCA)
- Signal path
- Analog
- Channels
- 2
- Channel format
- stereo bus
- Form factor
- 500-series module, double-wide (2 slots)
- Connection
- 500-series (API VPR-compatible rack)
- Country of manufacture
- USA (Philadelphia, PA, per manufacturer site)
Details
Controls: Ratio (1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10), 12-step Attack (0.1-50ms), stepped Release (0.3-1.2s) plus Classic/Alternate Auto Release and variable release (0.1-1.2s), Sidechain filter (60/90/120Hz, Boost, Slope), Wet/Dry Blend, Gain (-6 to +18dB), 'Grind' harmonic drive mode, True Bypass (relay)
I/O: Electronically balanced stereo in/out; external/key input (balanced or unbalanced) accepting sidechain source
Notable use: SSL 4000 G-series bus-compressor-style 'glue' compression; Serpent Audio's first commercial product, evolved from the DIY SB4000 project
Notes: Site used: serpentaudio.com (official product page, confirmed live) + FrontEndAudio.com (US dealer) for price. High confidence. SSL-style lineage: explicitly modeled on/inspired by the SSL 4000 G bus compressor (per manufacturer and press). Confirmed double-wide (2-slot) 500-series format via Full Compass listing title ('Double Width 500 Series') and reviewer commentary; not stated on serpentaudio.com product page itself. price_usd basis: FrontEndAudio.com listed price, July 2026 lookup; not confirmed directly on manufacturer site (no price shown there). year_intro left blank — not stated; a Sound On Sound review dated Oct 2016 suggests the product existed by then, but this is not a confirmed intro date so omitted per no-guessing rule.