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Diamond Comp Jr
Opto Compressor + EQ
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User Manual
v1.01 • October 30, 2015
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INTRODUCTION
When we began work on the original Diamond Compressor back in 2004, our goal was to
build a versatile ‘guitar channel’ – a dynamics and tone shaping tool to front-end your
effects chain - much like the gain, compression and EQ channels used in traditional
recording studio mixers. Introduced at MusikMesse 2005 in Frankfurt, the Diamond
Compressor has found its way onto thousands of pedal boards worldwide - and our
sincere thanks to all those who have supported us over the years. Since introducing the
original comp, we’ve released a version tailored to the bass (the Bass Comp), as well as a
special ‘audiophile’ edition of the comp called the Comp SE. Through this time, we’ve
also had many requests for a more compact version of the original Diamond
Compressor… now introducing the Diamond Comp Jr!!
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Remember to protect your hearing and wear appropriate hearing protection when
playing loud…!
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FEATURES
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Vactrol opto-isolator variable resistance path as used in high-end studio compressors for
smooth attack and decay characteristics while preserving initial signal transients.
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Post-compressor ‘tilt’ EQ provides a very musical tailoring of frequency response - seamlessly
transition from a darker jazz voicing to a bright jangle, with flat frequency response at the
center position.
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Optimized gain staging and use of ultra low noise transistor and opamps in signal path for
lowest possible noise and extended signal headroom.
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Premium audio components, including tight tolerance PPS capacitors and metal film resistors.
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Top mounted jacks on a small enclosure for tight pedalboard layouts
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9V battery power, with standard 9V negative tip adapter ready
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Bi-color LED provides visual indication of depth of compression and power
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true bypass operation
CONTROLS
It really doesn’t get any simpler than the on/off footswitch and three controls:!
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ON/OFF switch: this switches the pedal between bypass and in-circuit operation. A green
color in the LED indicates that the pedal is on, while increasing levels of red mixed with
the green indicates increasing levels of compression on the guitar signal.!
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COMP: this controls the amount of compression to be applied to the guitar signal.
Backing it off all the way gives just a touch of compression on signal peaks, while
turning the control clockwise gives an increasing amount of signal ‘squash’. The
compression threshold, the input signal level at which compression begins to take effect,
is sensitive to level variations like pickup output and players picking strength, so
certainly experiment with this control for your particular setup.!
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EQ: the EQ in the Diamond Compressor is not a typical boost/cut treble control. Instead,
we’ve implemented a ‘tilt’ style EQ first introduced in the 1970’s hi-fi market. The goal
of this eq is to provide subtle yet powerful spectral shifts in the overall frequency
balance, not just a simple dulling or brightening of the treble frequencies. You can think
of the EQ as a spectral ‘see-saw’ with the balance point fixed at a mid range frequency.
With the EQ in the center position, the EQ is completely flat. Turning the EQ
counterclockwise tips the balance of the ‘see-saw’ to- wards the low-end, with a gradual
increase in lows moving out from the midrange balance point toward the low end of the
frequency spectrum and a simultaneous gradual decrease in highs moving toward the
high end. Clockwise past the center position, the converse takes place, with a gradual
increase in highs moving out from the midrange balance point toward the high end!
of the frequency spectrum and a simultaneous gradual decrease in lows moving toward
the low end. So, it works like a tone control, but it affects sound more musically.!
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VOL: this adjusts the overall output volume of the compressor. Once the relative levels of
compression and EQ are set, this control can be used to adjust overall clean vs. effect
levels.!
ARCHITECTURE
The Diamond Comp Jr is architecturally identical to the original Diamond Compressor,
with a very simple analog signal path and optical driven resistor divider for optimal
transparency.!
POWERING
The Diamond Comp Jr is designed to be powered from either a 9V battery (included), standard
9V negative tip DC power adapter or from a multi pedal power supply. It can also be powered
from negative tip supplies up to 18V for additional headroom as needed.!
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WARRANT Y
Your Diamond pedal is covered by a 5 year warranty on materials and workmanship.
Please contact us by telephone (902-832-7139) or email info@diamondpedals.com if you
experience any problems with your pedal. We’re here to help!!
SUGGESTED SETTINGS
As a starting point for finding your tone, we’ve copied the original Diamond Compressor
suggested settings page. If you find a special setting and setup that you’d like share with
others, please share it on any of facebook, instagram, tumblr, twitter and email
(info@diamondpedals.com). We really hope you enjoy the Comp Jr!!
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