Schlockwood 200 vs Cuthbert processors

Mark · 2026-04-13T18:41:51Z

Here is what I found using both and comparing the two. The Sclockwood although made as an AM processor it can be used fine for FM also provided you are happy being in mono as FM works better in mono transmission and only a small change with the jumpers on board is needed for FM operation(disabling the pre-emphisis so flat response), not using the positive peaks control. The Cuthbert operates in stereo(two channel), unbalanced in and unbalanced out for stereo operation.The Schlockwood has a mono balanced TRS output so to use with FM or AM with an unbalanced two channel input to the transmitter a small easy mod has to be done at the output with the wiring in the audio cable or on the circuit board of the Schlockwood to be compatible with the transmitter input i.e. Decade MS 100 or Procaster studio interface.Using for FM and AM here's the difference in operation. They both achieve the desired result in different ways. The Cuthbert has 3 band compression and release for 3 frequency bands and once set it stays that way but if one song has the tonal balance different from another song(which it does) it doesn't work as good as the Schlockwood at keeping the bass treble and mid equal in each track. With the Schlockwood, the incoming audio is analyzed and reduction is applied where it is needed and not applied where it isn't and each track keeps the same bass treble and midrange the same regardless of the original audio a bit better than the Cuthbert so you sound more close to the commercial stations in that regard. That also keeps the on air volume more equal with each track and with the Cuthbert there still is some songs sounding louder than others and some sounding more bassy or trebly and this is controlled better with the Schlockwood. That doesn't mean the Cuthbert is bad, it does a good job but if you want more perfection and get closer to how a commercial station sounds I have to say the Shlockwood gets it closer. I have in the last two weeks with being on FM done an in depth comparison of the two. Hope I explained it right!Advantages of the Cuthbert: works on common 12 VDC power supply, 2 channel output for stereo broadcast, works with any transmitter input and does a good job doing what it is supposed to do.Disadvantages: can't adapt to input tonal imbalance of different tracks to keep each track sounding like the other as broadcast stations do.Schlockwood advantages: keeps tonal frequencies pretty much the same with each track as compression is applied where needed through an AGC. 3 LEDs show the reduction and it is different for different tracks. Disadvantages: needs a not as common 18 volt isolated switching power supply, can't work with battery. Needs a small mod to work with an unbalanced input like a Decade MS-100 or Procaster studio interface.Conclusion, Cuthbert is good and an excellent choice for the more affordable price but the Schlockwood is better if you want to sound closer to the way commercial stations do. The Cuthbert is the choice if you want stereo broadcast capability and have a common 12 volt DC operation.

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RichPowers

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As for the Schlockwood 205.. supposed to come out this Spring, well that means it should be out within the next three weeks, right? If I recall correctly it's supposed to be in the $300 range - a better bargain than the original 200 model was

This post was modified 2 months ago by RichPowers

Posted : 05/05/2026 12:34 pm

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