"Warmest" sounding compressor?

[thesameage]

I wouldn't call the Engineer's Thumb 'warm.' I might call the Ross/Dyna comp warm, and I really like it.

Jacob

Isn't the ET essentially a Ross/dyna?

No.

Jacob

Hehe, this is the best answer.

[jubal81]

My advice is to build up a few different types and do head-to-head tests with a test rig. Here's what I like:

FET: Bearhug (1776 effects)
OTA: Engineers Thumb (JMK - no contest, far above the Ross/Dyna)
Optical: These seem to vary these least and you can try: Afterlife (MB), Compulator (Rully), Mictesters really cheap (Vero) and the DOD280 (Tonepad)

[selfdestroyer]

When I was looking for ideas what compressors to build I red up here.

http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/comptypes.shtml

Great information.

Cody

[Droogie]

From what I've built so far:
Compulator
4 Knob Ross (Pickdropper)
Engineer's Thumb
Afterlife
Philosopher's Tone (vero)
Rotten Comp (GrindCustoms)
Dynacomp
I'd describe the Compulator as the "warmest" subjectively speaking, without too much actual treble attenuation. It's also very simple to dial in...

[rullywowr]

I agree that the Demeter is a unique compressor and adds some nice sparkle. 

[ckim715]

I agree that the Demeter is a unique compressor and adds some nice sparkle.

Just to give some unsolicited press coverage, I just ordered one of Rullywow's Demeter boards...cannot wait to build it. Looks very simple (low parts count) and all the reviews of the Demeter Compulator have been nothing short of stellar. Can't wait.

[jubal81]

I agree that the Demeter is a unique compressor and adds some nice sparkle.

Just to give some unsolicited press coverage, I just ordered one of Rullywow's Demeter boards...cannot wait to build it. Looks very simple (low parts count) and all the reviews of the Demeter Compulator have been nothing short of stellar. Can't wait.

Just a heads-up: I got distortion with the ST branded 353 opamps. The Fairchilds worked great.

[rullywowr]

I agree that the Demeter is a unique compressor and adds some nice sparkle. 

[ckim715]

I agree that the Demeter is a unique compressor and adds some nice sparkle.

Just to give some unsolicited press coverage, I just ordered one of Rullywow's Demeter boards...cannot wait to build it. Looks very simple (low parts count) and all the reviews of the Demeter Compulator have been nothing short of stellar. Can't wait.

Just a heads-up: I got distortion with the ST branded 353 opamps. The Fairchilds worked great.

Thanks for the heads up, I haven't ordered the components yet, will make sure I get fairchild ic's.

[thesameage]

I agree that the Demeter is a unique compressor and adds some nice sparkle.

I'm going to open myself up to look noobish again  ... but would the Demeter and Afterlife be "that" different as they are both optical?

[midwayfair]

I agree that the Demeter is a unique compressor and adds some nice sparkle.

I'm going to open myself up to look noobish again  ... but would the Demeter and Afterlife be "that" different as they are both optical?

The method of gain reduction is different (feedback loop gain in the afterlife vs. voltage divider in the compulator), the compulator relies ENTIRELY on the vactrol's on/off times for the attack and decay vs. an envelope detector circuit in the Afterlife, and the Afterlife is capable of a higher ratio (but the way it's set up by default is going to be about the same).

[GermanCdn]

There's a three knob version of the Compulator floating around on OshPark as well that has an external gain control which is quite interesting.  Don't know that it makes it "warmer" but definitely makes it different.

But the truth is, once the compressor monster gets ahold of you, you're going to be building all of them anyway for their various nuances.  I was never a big compressor guy, I was quite happy with my Tone Press.  And now I've built four Bearhugs, two ETs, three Dynas, two Rosses, three Afterlifes, two Compulators, a Love Squeeze, etc, etc, etc.  It's a lot easier if you just don't fight it.

[thesameage]

You definitely have a problem! I may end up just sticking with your afterlife/efx loop/eq/fatpants idea, though. 

[GermanCdn]

You definitely have a problem! I may end up just sticking with your afterlife/efx loop/eq/fatpants idea, though.

It's not a problem if I'm OK with it .

But yes, that's a great combo.

[selfdestroyer]

There's a three knob version of the Compulator floating around on OshPark as well that has an external gain control which is quite interesting.  Don't know that it makes it "warmer" but definitely makes it different.

But the truth is, once the compressor monster gets ahold of you, you're going to be building all of them anyway for their various nuances.  I was never a big compressor guy, I was quite happy with my Tone Press.  And now I've built four Bearhugs, two ETs, three Dynas, two Rosses, three Afterlifes, two Compulators, a Love Squeeze, etc, etc, etc.  It's a lot easier if you just don't fight it.

I found it for ya guys.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7llfrc9pxy94gne/Optical%20Compressor%20Build%20Guide%20v2.pdf

https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/2ZeUH1uG

Cody