Empress Effects Compressor User Manual

compressor

user manual

Introduction

Compression is a tool used on pretty much every recording you will
ever hear, yet this extremely useful and versatile tool is often
overlooked by guitar players as part of their rig.

Other compressor pedals are often limited by oversimplified
controls and heavily colored sounds. We have created a truly
transparent compressor, complete with all the controls found in the
studio. The result is a tool that allows for a wide range of sounds
from subtly adding sustain to getting the “quack” that country
players love.

We’ve also included a mix knob to blend in the dry signal for an
even more transparent sound and a gain reduction meter so you
know what the compressor is doing at all times.

To help you get the most out of this product, we’ve put some brief
instructional videos on our website: www.empresseffects.com

Enjoy,

Steve Bragg

The Basics of Compression

Compression can add consistency and sustain to your playing or it
can be used to add note definition and other effects. It essentially
narrows the difference between high and low audio levels by
reducing the gain to any signal over the threshold.

The ratio determines how much
gain reduction will be applied to
the signal once it crosses the
threshold. At a 4:1 ratio, for
every 4dB of input signal above
the threshold, there will be 1dB
of output signal. A 10:1 ratio
would output 1dB for every
10dB of input signal, etc.

Attack controls how quickly the gain reduction will begin after a
signal has crossed the threshold. Release controls how long it takes
for the compressor to return to its initial level after the signal drops
below the threshold.