The DC-2 is a plug-in-controlled analog compressor that works in conjunction with the McDSP APB ("analog processing box") units (APB-8, APB-16) [Tape Op #134]. As I've noted before in APB-based reviews, the APB is a one-space rackmount box that attaches to your computer via Thunderbolt and locks into your audio interface's clocking in order to convert signals to analog, digitally control the analog processing in the APB, and then convert it back to digital and return the audio in real time via McDSP's APB plug-ins. Totally recallable analog processing that acts like a plug-in.
Let's get this out: I prefer mixing with analog gear. Utilizing a console, outboard racks, electro-mechanical effects, and printing back into a DAW (or even tape) is my favorite way to mix. But it's not always practical for working remotely, or if clients want mix recalls, or when my Jackpot! Recording Studio is booked up, so I offer in the box mixes at a lower cost. But damn, I miss the extra something that analog gear imparts. The APB system offers a recallable way of working, though it requires real-time, old-school mixdowns (duh, it's running analog processing). Because of the dual nature of the DC-2, it uses two channels of the APB's processing (8 or 16 channels) in mono and four in stereo.