STARTING OUT / BASIC SETUP:
• Setting the Threshold: The Threshold control is, in most cases
the first control to set on a compressor. Signals that surpass the
threshold level in volume will be reduced by the factor set on
the compression control, all signals that don’t meet or exceed
the threshold level will pass through completely unprocessed.
To begin set-up, start with gain set at a moderate level, and
compression set to 1:1. Play music through the pedal noting when
the threshold indicator changes from green to red. The threshold
indicator should not stay lit the entire time in most situations.
For protection against higher than usual peaks, or to use as
a completely transparent limiter, adjust Threshold to a point
where the indicator turns red only under the loudest and most
extreme circumstances, i.e. very hard picking attack, slaps, etc. For
noticeable compression effects, or “always active” compression
sounds, adjust Threshold to a level where every note played
causes the indicator to turn red.
• Setting the Compression (Ratio) control: The compression
control sets the amount of gain reduction that will occur past the
Threshold level. The ratio, refers to the number of decibels that
must be introduced over the threshold level to produce a 1db
increase in output level. So, at a 5:1 ratio, every 5db of increase
in the level entering the compressor above the set Threshold
will produce 1db more output. While this sounds like a very
simple concept, the effects of this can be quite complex. Higher
compression levels will produce a more noticeable “squish” and
will limit dynamics. The lower the compression level, the less
