Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: fossilshark on December 05, 2018, 09:33:19 am

Title: Compressors
Post by: fossilshark on December 05, 2018, 09:33:19 am

Hi, i'm looking into building a simple compressor pedal/preamp for my amp, and i'm curious about using tubes. Are there any schematics for a good sounding compressor that's full tube I could plug right into the front end of my amplifier? Or are those big rack mount systems hooked up to the FX loop usually? I don't know much about how they are used honestly.

Title: Re: Compressors
Post by: Ed_Chambley on December 05, 2018, 10:29:06 am

Follow this link:
http://www.preservationsound.com/?p=2254


I have a few studio compressors.  This Altec 436C is a good all around compressor.  You can also build into an amp side chain compression.

Title: Re: Compressors
Post by: PRR on December 05, 2018, 03:38:51 pm

Tube compression is sure possible but NOT! trivial. (I been there for decades.)

If you want to play guitar, instead of playing with very fussy tube schemes, build the Engineer's Thumb.

http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/engineersthumb.html
http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/engineersthumb2.html
https://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=97123.0

You can nail a tube socket to the top.

Title: Re: Compressors
Post by: d95err on December 06, 2018, 06:26:41 am

I agree that tube compressors are complex and usually require obsolete special components such as specialized tubes or opto devices. As studio outboard gear I suppose it could be worthwile, but as a pedal infront of an amp, I think a regular pedal would do the job just as well.

Most guitar compressor pedals are crude and simple circuits (usually effectively hard limiters). Merlin’s Engineers Thumb seems to be a bit more sophisticated. I’ve been planning to build one, but never got around to it.

Title: Re: Compressors
Post by: Ritchie200 on December 06, 2018, 09:00:32 am

I like the tag line for one of the poster’s: “Give a man a fuzz box and he will play guitar all day. Teach a man how to build a fuzz box and he will never play guitar again!”


Jim

Title: Re: Compressors
Post by: shooter on December 06, 2018, 10:00:14 am

 :l2:

Title: Re: Compressors
Post by: Ed_Chambley on December 11, 2018, 02:23:15 pm

I have many compressors.  I have 3 pedal boards and each has one, a stopmbox.  The Wampler Ego is good and is buffered when on.  The tone control gets way to bright, but the unit is quiet, not like a Dyancomp.  And I have a Dynacomp from the 70's.  The keeley 2 knob is good and cheap, but can be noisy is stacked with certain pedals.


I have found Boss pedals to be good and used to use one as an always on compressor.  If you want a quite pedal that will squish, the Engineers Thumb is quite good.  Then again, the Joe Meek Floor-Q flopped badly, but is really a good compressor.  I am saying it is a good use buy.


I find compressors that are on the floor to be quite different, so it is difficult to recommend unless I know the application.  Squeeze 80's country music, MXR Dynacomp and throw in a flanger.  I have yet to see a stompbox compressor used in recording, but that doesn't mean anything cause I have never seen it.  I am sure it is done.


I linked Preservation Sound's website as an aid and they have a lot of info on units.  My Bass rig has a DBX 266 which is overkill, but I had it so I used it.


I have an old Dan Armstrong and Analogueman makes a version of this.  His Bi-Comp is good as well.  Most I consider a form of effect, but if'n you want to get chickins cluckin, and you want to build it, the Engineers Thumb is great.  If you are recording, I retract all!