L-1 Microcompressor

L-1 Microcompressor for Modulars

Design is based on THAT Corp. design notes - Fully Adjustable Compressor / Limiter. This is a feedforward VCA compressor.

Features:

Adjustable by potentiometers Treshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Makeup gain.

Reduction LED which lights when signal level exceeds treshold.

Treshold and Makeup can be controlled by CV. -+5V covers all pots range.

Hard/soft knee switch.

Two timing modes are available -- auto and manual. In auto mode attack and release rates are linked, and depend on the non-linear capacitor circuit. In manual mode, variable, independent adjustment of the attack and release dynamics are possible.

RMS, Peak or Automatic timing detector options.

Two CV outs. CV1 after RMS-level sensor and Treshold control. CV2 after all controls beforeVCA.

Sidechain send and receive to external sidechain processing.

Two Microcompressors can be linked in stereo pair by Stereo 1 and Stereo 2 jacks. Master/slave switch off controls on slave unit. Stereo 1 to link the two RMS detectors. Such coupling results in true power summing and a more euphonic behavior. Note that, when linking detectors in this manner, means to adjust for the +/-3 dB tolerance on each detectors' 0 dB reference level must be provided. Stereo 2 to send CV from master unit to slaves VCA.