compressor user manual
Introduction Compression is a tool used on pretty much every recording you will ever hear, yet this extremely useful and versatile tool is often overlooked by guitar players as part of their rig. Other compressor pedals are often limited by oversimplified controls and heavily colored sounds. We have created a truly transparent compressor, complete with all the controls found in the studio.
The Basics of Compression Compression can add consistency and sustain to your playing or it can be used to add note definition and other effects. It essentially narrows the difference between high and low audio levels by reducing the gain to any signal over the threshold. The ratio determines how much gain reduction will be applied to the signal once it crosses the threshold. At a 4:1 ratio, for every 4dB of input signal above the threshold, there will be 1dB of output signal.
ratio: determines how aggressive the gain reduction is. 2:1 - good for gentle gain control and smoothing out uneven playing. Very transparent. 4:1 - a great general purpose setting. Still transparent but offers a large range of compression. Controls a - 9V Power: + tip 2.1mm jack. 100 10:1 - close to limiting. Good for acheiving the classic coutry overcompressed sound and adding a lot of sustain for soloing. input: sets the level entering the compressor circuit.
at a Glance V - 18V DC negative 0mA or greater meter: red LEDs indicate gain reduction (gr). Gain reduction values are marked over each LED. green LEDs indicate input volume. when “both” is selected, overlapping gain reduction and input LEDs will appear yellow. output: sets the output level. This will not effect the amout of compression. Can be used to make up gain lost in compression or as a boost for soloing. mix: controls the level between the dry signal and the wet (compressed) signal.
Quickstart Added Control: Here’s a good starting point for adding consistency and sustain to your playing while retaining dynamics. Adjust the input level so the “gr” meter shows 8dB of gain reduction when playing your loudest. Chicken Pickin’: Here’s one for a nice compressed country sound. Adjust the input for 10dB of gain reduction when playing your loudest.
Sidechain The sidechain connector on the compressor is a loop that lets you alter the signal going to the gain reduction control circuit. It accepts a ¼” TRS plug: Tip = send, Ring = return, Sleeve= ground. When using the compressor on a bass guitar, it can be very useful to add a high pass filter to the sidechain in order to avoid triggering the compressor with high energy notes in the lowest octave. Using the Meter The compressor has a 10 segment LED meter that shows input gain, gain reduction or both.
Specifications Input Impedance: Output Impedance: Frequency Response (-3dB): Distortion: Noise: Input Voltage: Required Current: Power Input Connector: Height (enclosure only): Height (including controls): Length: Width: Weight: 1MΩ 2.2kΩ 40Hz – 35kHz <0.1% -101dB 9VDC-18VDC 100mA 2.1mm Barrel Connector 1.5” 2” 3.5” 4.5” 1lbs www.empresseffects.
