I have tried building two compressors the first being the Dyna-comp/Ross compressor which I liked while it worked, and the Hollis compressor which I've never been too keen on.

I was wondering what compressors are there available (circuits or pedals) that don't colour the sound of the guitar (or make it sound nicer as the Ross does) and give great sustain (distorted electric guitar type sustain as my D-C/Ross clone did ?)

Thanks for your help.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Abbott.

Not sure why your using the past tense for your your Ross, but for distortion sounds, that's considered one of the best. I used a script logo Dyna-Comp for over 20 years and I still like that sound, I just don't use it much anymore. The Orange Squeezer is transparent, but I really think it's strong suit is clean sounds. A lot of people like the compressor Dave Barber makes, but I don't know of any DIY take on that one. For distortion sounds, it's sometimes a matter of finding that perfect blend of guitar, gain stages, tubes, speakers and volume. I banged my head against the wall for years trying to get certain sounds out of my Strat that just came naturally when I finally got a Les Paul. For some people a change in amp or speakers does the same thing. And if sustain is what your after, you can't leave fingers out of the equation.

Kerry M

Dear Kerry

Thanks for your reply. I have a humbucking guitar and a single coil one. I've never used a compressor with a distorted amp, I normally would get enough compression from the amp.

I tend to like humbucking guitars for the dirty distorted tones and single coils guitars for clean tones.

I find amplifiers to be funny things, a fifty watt amp can be too loud for use in a small pub when it is being "dimed." It can also be too quiet if your playing clean single note lines (the amp would distort.)

I found the old Boss compressor (I use to own) to be wonderful at lifting the volume of the guitar above the band's volume. The added sustain was a real plus too. The problem with the Boss pedal was the tone wasn't very transparent, it only just did the job tonally.

I refer to the Dyna-comp clone I have in the past tense as it use to sound great and it nearly drove me insane trying to get it sound good again. In the end I put it down and started something else, but that's another story.

Again thanks for your help.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Abbott.

Quote from: Mark Abbott
I find amplifiers to be funny things, a fifty watt amp can be too loud for use in a small pub when it is being "dimed." It can also be too quiet if your playing clean single note lines (the amp would distort.)

This is a constant struggle I know too well. I sometimes feel like I'm juggling and tap dancing at the same time just to to stay in the *tone zone*. I think I misunderstood your original post and thought you were looking for a compressed distortion sound. You meant a clean sound that sustains like a distortion sound? I like the combo of Orange Squeezer and AMZ Mosfet Boost  for my setup. I'd like tro try the Demeter Compulator and the aforementioned Barber comp. Certainly give the Orange Squeezer a try. It's not a *super-squasher* , but a nice *clean-sheen*. I have a had really good results using a nice qualty opamp (Burr Brown 2604) and a smaller input cap.

Kerry M

Bwanasonic:  what difference did changeing the input cap make and what value did u change it to? I 'm just about buitl my second one.

When I'm experimenting with song ideas or riffs I usually have the orange squeezer all the time, when I 've found a riff or chord prog or whatever then I turn it off - it's great for making the sound more "elastic-y" without changing it dramatically like other comps.

Try adding a 'clean blend' circuit to a compressor.. I believe that's what Barber's 'Tone Press' does (no idea what he uses for the compressor circuit)..

A simple mixer/buffer should do it.
"-)

I've built an EPFM compressor with great results.  As long as you adjust the output level right, it's very transparent.--it doesn't color the sound.

Quote from: tazwolfBwanasonic:  what difference did changeing the input cap make and what value did u change it to? I 'm just about buitl my second one.

Sorry, I was being lazy by not saying. I used a .01uf. It brightens things up a tad. I would describe it as *Crisper*. Do a search here for Orange Squeezer and you can find A LOT of info. Every time I find something I cut-paste it into a text file I have of Orange Squeezer info.

Kerry M

I have just seen that A Burr Brown 2604 IC was recommended. Pardon my ignorance, but what is a Burr Brown 2604 IC?

Yours Sincerely

Mark Abbott.

Burr Brown is the company that manufactures the OPA2604, and they're now owned by Texas Instruments.

The OPA2604 itself is a super high quality dual OPAMP that has the same pinout as the common 4558-type IC.  The 2604 is very low noise, very low distortion, and has a wide bandwidth.  It also has JFET inputs.  The great thing about it is that it was designed specifically for audio applications.  They're pretty expensive as far as ICs go, though.  IIRC, they're about $2.50 each from Digikey...but worth every penny.  You can also get free samples (up to 3 pieces of the expensive BB parts) of them from Texas Instruments.

Phillip

From the TI web site….
http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/opa2604.html

The OPA2604 is a dual, FET-input operational amplifier designed for enhanced AC performance. Very low distortion, low noise and wide bandwidth provide superior performance in high quality audio and other applications requiring excellent dynamic performance.

New circuit techniques and special laser trimming of dynamic circuit performance yield very low harmonic distortion. The result is an op amp with exceptional sound quality. The low-noise FET input of the OPA2604 provides wide dynamic range, even with high source impedance. Offset voltage is laser-trimmed to minimize the need for interstage coupling capacitors.

The OPA2604 is available in 8-pin plastic mini-DIP and SO-8 surface-mount packages, specified for the -25°C to +85°C temperature range.

Laser trimming = $$$$ &        

Take care,
-Peter

Thanks for the info regarding the IC, I'll have to grab a couple, has anyone tried them in a Tube Screamer yet?

Yours Sincerely

Mark Abbott.