The Compressor MKII is a FET compressor with the controls you would expect on a studio unit, in an enclosure about half the size of the original Empress Compressor. Attack and release are independent, the ratio switches between 2:1, 4:1 and 10:1, and two multi-segment meters show input level and gain reduction, so you can see what it is doing as well as hear it.
The Mix knob blends the dry signal back in for parallel compression, which keeps the front edge of the pick attack while the sustain evens out. The Tone knob is a tilt EQ centred at 500Hz, and a three-position sidechain filter (120Hz, 240Hz, off) stops the low end from making it pump. There is a 3.5mm TRS send and return for an external sidechain as well. All analog, true bypass, built in Ottawa.
It comes in Blue Sparkle or Silver Sparkle; the circuit is the same in both. Bass players should look at the Bass Compressor, which reaches lower and adds a colour circuit.
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECS
Compression: FET
Ratio: 2:1, 4:1, 10:1
Sidechain Filter: 120Hz, 240Hz, off
Tone: tilt EQ centred at 500Hz
Sidechain Insert: 3.5mm TRS send and return
Bypass: True bypass
Input Impedance: 1M
Output Impedance: 2.2k
Frequency Response (-3dB): 20Hz - 20kHz
Distortion: less than 0.1%
Noise: 101dB
Input connector: 1/4" Jack
Output connector: 1/4" Jack
Power Input Voltage: 9V DC (Negative tip)
Input Power: 2.1mm barrel (Centre Negative)
Power Consumption: ~100mA
Enclosure Material: Die Cast Aluminum
Height (Enclosure only): 1.5"
Height (including controls): 2.5"
Length: 4.8"
Width: 2.6"
Weight: 1lbs
