Electro-Harmonix Platform User Manual

WARNING: Your Platform comes equipped with an Electro-Harmonix 9.6DC-200BI

power supply (same as used by Boss® & Ibanez®: 9.6 Volts DC 200mA). The Platform
requires 125mA at 9VDC with a center negative plug. Use of the wrong adapter or a plug
with the wrong polarity may damage your Platform and void the warranty.

PLATFORM

Stereo Compressor/Limiter

Congratulations on purchasing the Electro-Harmonix Platform Stereo
Compressor/Limiter. The Platform presents you with a versatile and powerful
studio-quality compressor enclosed in a stompbox-sized package. Use the
Platform’s compressor/limiter on any instrument—such as guitar, bass or
keyboards—for precise and powerful control of your signal’s volume. Engage the
Drive and Swell functions to further tailor and enhance your sound. Whether
you’re on stage, in the studio, putting together a podcast or creating your next
YouTube masterpiece, the Platform will help you get the job done.

FEATURES

 High-quality compressor/limiter
 Selectable hard/soft knee function
 8-segment LED gain reduction meter
 Foot switchable overdrive with volume, tone, and gain controls
 Volume swell function
 True stereo input and output
 Stereo buffered bypass

NOTES AND SPECIFICATIONS

 Input impedance for each input: 1M
 Output impedance for each output: 300
 Current draw: 125mA
 Maximum input signal level: +7.2 dBu

COMPRESSOR/LIMITER CONTROLS & INDICATORS

SUSTAIN Knob
Compressor Mode: Adjusts compression ratio. As you turn the SUSTAIN

knob clockwise, the compression ratio increases. This
compression is applied to a signal once it crosses the threshold.
volume level at which the compressor begins working on the signal. In
compressor mode, the Platform’s threshold level is fixed at a constant -35dB.

In practical terms, compression ratio determines how much the compressor
squashes the signal level and thus how much it levels out dynamics. The higher
the ratio, the more it reduces the peaks and valleys in your signal level to yield a
more consistent output volume.

RATIO DIAGRAM

ratio

determines how much

Threshold

is the

Limiter Mode: The SUSTAIN knob adjusts threshold level. As you turn the

SUSTAIN knob clockwise, the threshold level decreases and forces the limiter to
act sooner on your signal. The compression ratio is constant and practically
infinite in Limiter mode.

ATTACK Knob

The ATTACK knob sets the amount of time delay before the compressor/limiter
is activated once the input signal level reaches or exceeds the threshold setting.
Turn the ATTACK knob clockwise to increase the attack time from fast to slow.

Slow ATTACK settings emphasize the initial attack and add greater pop to your
notes (this is great for guitarists who like to chicken pick or play funk). Fast
ATTACK settings produce a more even compression where the initial attack is
compressed along with the sustained portion of your notes.

RELEASE Knob

While the compressor/limiter is acting on the signal, the input may drop below
the threshold setting and cause the compressor to cease working on the signal.
The compressor does not stop working immediately, though. Rather, it gradually
stops over a period of time that is set by the RELEASE knob. As you turn this
knob clockwise,
generally result in smoother, more transparent compression with little or no
audible artifacts. Slower release settings also reduce the overall output volume.
Fast release settings allow for louder volumes and typically yield more noticeable
compression effects such as “pumping,” which is audible as unnatural level
changes.

release

time increases, or slows. Slower release settings

VOL Knob [Main Output Level]

This control—located in the upper left corner of the pedal—is the master volume
for the entire pedal. Use this control to balance your level between bypass and
effect mode.

KNEE Button

The KNEE button changes the compression/limiting curve to produce a
compression sound that is either more or less transparent. When KNEE is lit,

knee

compression is enabled, and the result is a softer, subtler compression.
When KNEE is off (unlit), the compressor operates with a
and produces a more dramatic compression effect.

KNEE DIAGRAM

hard knee

response

soft

HARD KNEE – is recommended for instrumentation where you want a more
obvious compression sound. Most effect pedals employ hard knee compression.
Hard knee works great with guitar, bass, drums and keys.

SOFT KNEE – is recommended for delicate instruments or passages. It’s great
for vocals, strings, pads and other similar instruments where it is often important
for the use of compression to be as transparent as possible.