Compressor
Maxon CP101 Compressor
Stumbled across the schematic for this compressor and couldn’t find a layout for it. So I drew it up. This follows the original red box version, not the black box reissue. It’s an optical compressor and apparently fairly subtle. I couldn’t find any info on the vactrol used in the original–sockets are your friend. Should … Read more
Diamanté Compressor
Stumbled across this one over on the old La Revolution Deux blog. It’s a simplified version of the Diamond Compressor, removing the EQ and the blinking LED circuitry. Makes for a much smaller footprint and will fit nicely in either a 1590B or 125B. Here’s the schematic for reference.
Toadworks Mr. Squishy
Here’s an interesting take on the Orange Squeezer compressor from Toadworks. Extra controls and clean boost capabilities when the Squish control is at zero and the Level control is maxed. Schematic here for reference.
MXR Commande Sustain
Here’s one from MXR you probably haven’t heard of before. It was apart of their Commande line of plastic boxed effects from the late 80s. They aren’t highly regarded because of the plastic, but the circuits were pretty well designed. The circuit in question today is a better design than the DynaComp, offering less distortion … Read more
Ross Compressor
Somehow I’ve not laid this classic out already, so here’s the Ross Compressor. One of the most highly thought of (and therefore copied) compressors of all time. Should be an easy fit in a 1590B.
Rothwell Love Squeeze
Here’s a nice little compressor that should be a fairly easy build. It doesn’t have the squish of a DynaComp, but goes for a more subtle compression like the Orange Squeezer. Board mounted pots and an easy fit in a 1590B. Here’s the schematic for reference.
Guyatone PS-021 Guitar Exciter / Compressor
A vintage pedal from the 80s. I’ve removed the flip flop switching system and buffers (thanks Zach for the help). Hopefully it will fit in a 125B box. You can find original thread and schematic here. Updated schematic is available in our Forum section. Thanks Dino for his explanatory video. 12/11 Layout Updated! Readded the … Read more
Valve Wizard Engineer’s Thumb
A little blog update: You may have noticed there wasn’t a post yesterday and that there is one today. Why on a Tuesday and not a Monday? Some big-ish changes are coming to the site in the near future, which (along with a bunch of other small things) is taking up a lot of my … Read more