4:1 Compressor build

[Dawnofzion]

I finished up a 4:1 compressor build.  I call it the 'Ernest goes to comp compressor'.  I haven't put a ton of time playing the pedal yet.  The time I did play through it....it seemed to be a very subtle compression. 








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[alanp]

Good old Ernest! Didn't that actor also play Jed Clampett in the modern movie?

Very nice job, especially on the resistors

[neandrewthal]

Cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!

[tol]

nice graphics! I LOVE my 4:1. you say it seems subtle? In comparison to a Dyna/Ross? Orange squeezer? Mine seems to have plenty of squash and sustain at extreme settings.

[diablochris6]

Awesome execution, Vern!

[nzCdog]

Ha! Love the graphics 

[Dawnofzion]

nice graphics! I LOVE my 4:1. you say it seems subtle? In comparison to a Dyna/Ross? Orange squeezer? Mine seems to have plenty of squash and sustain at extreme settings.

Honestly the effect is barely noticeable when it is on.  The clean knob definitely increases the volume, but the other two knobs don't seem to do much....if anything. I wonder if my opto is damaged or installed wrong?


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[chuckd666]

Hey it sounds like you might have something wrong... it's a really squishy compressor when past 12 oclock! Definitely check your voltages and things.

[tol]

I think that blue dot indicates the + so i am guessing it's installed correctly. I've never burnt a vactrol in 10+ years of building. I usually install them last and use alligator clips to wick heat while soldering them.

[alanp]

That's one of my pet peeves for vactrols as a whole, actually -- I wish they'd indicate the CATHODE, rather than some nebulous plus or dot!

[gordo]

I've cooked a couple of vactrols.  Too expensive to be killing them off but hasn't stopped me.

[Dawnofzion]

If I turn the clean knob all the way down is the signal supposed to go away?  With the clean pot turned down all the way I get nothing. 


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[Leevibe]

Awesome build. The only thing I remember about that movie was when he was messing with the pack of wild badgers.

[gordo]

No sound in compression isn't a bad thing...at least for the vactrol.  Something is definitely amiss with the comp side.  Do the usual...triple check part values and noting polarity where applicable, reflow solder joints, and audio probe if available.  Concentrate on everything around IC2, since it sounds like IC1 is working.  It's hard to tell from the photo but is D1 backwards?

[tol]

If I turn the clean knob all the way down is the signal supposed to go away?  With the clean pot turned down all the way I get nothing. 

It's like it has two Vol controls. One for Clean, one for comp. So I still get signal with the clean knob all the way down IF I have the compression knob up. And the opposite should apply as well.