Alesis Micro Limiter - Mods? Opinions?

[Beo]

I picked up one of these for 10 bucks, with a 9vac power supply:


Here's a guts screenshot:


Discussion found here:
http://www.prodigy-pro.com/diy/index.php?topic=12177.0

The circuit:


I haven't played with this yet. I'm curious how it will compare to a ross/dynacomp or an orange squeezer. As far as mods go, reducing noise seems to be the key. I could swap the TL084s for TL074s. Any other suggestions?

[Rodgre]

I love these things as is. I used them for years as a drum bus compressor and on bass as well.

[ebuprofen]

whoo, that's my schematic :D:D
I traced it and build one, but it's not working right

[Mark Hammer]

The control element in the unit is the CEM3381 dual VCA, that you can find out more about here (it has been renumbered, now that Curtis ElectroMusic chips are long gone): http://www.synthtech.com/cem/cpda381.pdf.

[ebuprofen]

I used cem3381, the problem is, the unit doesn't let through signal if LEDs are connected (I made separate PCBs) and the output section distorts too much and is noisy, input stage and CV ic lets signal through nicely

[PRR]

> Discussion found here:

Forum host re-organized last month; new link is:

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=12177.0

[WGTP]

I have one I was using on vocals and couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from.  This turned out to be the culprit.  Works good live though.