Smart Research Ltd is a UK-based pro audio manufacturer founded by Alan Smart, a former design engineer at Solid State Logic during the 1980s when SSL developed its landmark mixing consoles. After leaving SSL, Smart launched the company to produce high-performance outboard equipment, drawing on the same circuit philosophy that defined the SSL 4000-series bus compressor.

The company is best known for its stereo bus compressors. The C1, introduced in 1988, became a fixture in professional studios in the UK and on the US west coast, prized for the 'glue' associated with the SSL quad-bus topology in a 1U dual-mono/stereo format. The later C2 added external sidechain inputs, a 'Crush' mode, and a fast limit feature, expanding the compressor's range beyond mix-bus duty. A 500-series version, the C1LA, brings the same core circuit to API-format racks.

Beyond compressors, Smart Research produces the 2Tools Pro Tools/SSL transport interface, the Smart Guitar DI, and the 01/7 channel amplifier card and custom expansion channels for SSL E- and G-series consoles. The brand operates a small, engineering-led catalog focused on tracking, mixing, and mastering applications.

Smart Research has 4 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Effects Processors. Their gear is featured by 8 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Electronic, and Pop. Notable users include Robert Del Naja, Nigel Godrich, and Peter Gabriel.