Orange Squeezer...very subtle compression?

[Ed G.]

I've done some searches on the OS compressor, which I just built. I hear some very mild compression, and some overall mild brightening of the signal, but I thought that this circuit would squeeze a bit more.
I used the 1n34 work-a-like from Small Bear. Tantalum caps, 2n5457's, RC4558. Stock circuit, with exception of outboard volume control.
Should I try a different germanium diode?

[snoof]

I used 1N34 Ge in mine, it does squeeze, but it's not heavy at all.  It's a pretty mild comp.  Mark Hammer posted some mods to the attack/release a while back.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

I have no experience with this one, but when stuff using fets is 'not quite right', it's often a fet variation. So that's what I'd try first..

[oldrocker]

It is subtle.  But did you adjust the trim pot a little?  You should be able to hear some differences as you tweak it.

[Ed G.]

Yeah, I did find directions, to tweak it to where the volume is just coming on...I hear some compression, but mild.
I wanted to make sure this is working right before i try mods to it.

Thanks,
Ed

[MartyMart]

Mine is NOT subtle at all, there's an area on the trim where it IS subtle, then quite fierce then it's a booster !!
This all happens within a few mm's of adjustment, so I'd look there first then perhaps try some other fets.
I have mine set just between subtle and fierce and it nails the old 70's squeezer thing to a tee
( I even found an original 70's OS enclosure to put it in )
MM.

[brett]

Hi

Mine is NOT subtle at all, there's an area on the trim where it IS subtle.

I had the subtle experience, but with different FETs managed to get the trimmer to make a real difference.
From memory, I think I found that JFETs that were sensitive to small changes in the trimmer, also gave sensitivity to the signal level. Someone should be able to work out whether that is true (and not a figment of my bad memory) from the schematic.
cheers
PS 2N5457s and MPF102s wouldn't be my first choice of JFET. Again, from memory, you want something with a large change in resistance per unit voltage at the gate.  To me, that says "high Vgs(off)" like the J201, which goes from high to low resistance in a few tenths of a volt.

[markm]

I don't know, I've had very good luck with the 2N5457 in that circuit. 

[Mark Hammer]

1) The OS gets in and out of the way of the signal fast, so the squish is less noticeable than with many other compressors.

2) The op-amp gain that sets the amount of compression achieved is fixed in the stock design.  Does one size fit all?  I'll let your ears decide.  I made the gain variable on mine and it makes a difference.

3) The 82k resistor and the FET+trimpot behave like a voltage divider where one leg (the 82k) is fixed and the other leg (the FET) variable.  How much impact the variable leg makes on attenuation depends on the trimpot but on the FET and 82k leg as well.

4) The 2N5457 appears to have the appropriate properties, and like the other Mark I have had only positive experience with it.  It is also used as the variable half of a voltage divider in the Jon Gaines Noise Gate project I have posted on my site.

[Ed G.]

Hey Mark, thanks for answering the orange squeezer questions. I've been slowly digesting as much as I can, I've never studied compressors much before.
I built this from JD's layout and I substituted a 2.2k for the 2.4k  (r5) resistorin between Q1 and Q2.
And I substituted a 330k resistor for the 390K resistor (r4) feeding the voltage to the opamp.
These resistors were the closest I had on hand and they seemed to be within a reasonable tolerance considering the original units probably had their specs all over the place.
The pedal seems to work. I get a bright clean sound with it. I don't hear much if any of the 'distortion' that this circuit is supposed to get, nor the modulation. I am used to hearing that hard limiting of the dyna-comp, followed by the 'pump.' I know this is a different pedal, but it's just not compressing as much as I expected.

[aron]

Ed, it doesn't compress like a normal compressor. At least mine doesn't. 335+OS=Lee Ritenour :-)

[Ed G.]

Gotcha.
That 335 has got a nice hefty output that probably makes it squeeze a bit harder also.
It's a nice sound, it's definitely got that "Sweet Home Alabama" vibe
I think my next thing will be the Ross compressor.
I'm just kind of getting back into comps. I had a dyna comp that squeezed and pumped way too easy.
A friend had a HBE Ross clone and it sounded...'stiffer' and didn't squish until you really wanted it to at the more extreme settings.

[snoof]

I like the So simple comp, and the Flatline for less-than-ross/dyna squish

[vanessa]

Mine is NOT subtle at all, there's an area on the trim where it IS subtle, then quite fierce then it's a booster !!
This all happens within a few mm's of adjustment, so I'd look there first then perhaps try some other fets.
I have mine set just between subtle and fierce and it nails the old 70's squeezer thing to a tee
( I even found an original 70's OS enclosure to put it in )
MM.

I have to agree. The trimpot can make it go from very subtle to very squash. The best way I have found to set these up was on a recommendation from someone to put an ultra clean boost (or an eq pedal set flat) in front of the OS. Set the OS level low maybe 1/4 way up. Set the clean boost fairly high but not distorted. Then adjust the trimpot inside until you just hear the compression kick in. That is the classic OS tone. It's just enough compression to keep the chords tamed and then lets the solo notes scream.

[MartyMart]

I like the So simple comp, and the Flatline for less-than-ross/dyna squish

Yes, the Flatline is hard to beat - still my most used comp by far.

[vanessa]

I like the So simple comp, and the Flatline for less-than-ross/dyna squish

Yes, the Flatline is hard to beat - still my most used comp by far.

Marty, have you built the Soul Preacher yet? If so how does it compare to the Flatline?

[MartyMart]

Marty, have you built the Soul Preacher yet? If so how does it compare to the Flatline?

No I have missed that one, I'm a bit of a "compaholic" !
Have made, Ross/Dyna/Anderton/Flatline/OS/Q&D/Aussie/LA Light ......never mind the
commercial ones like Maxon/Guyatone/Aphex .....
Flatline and LA Light for basic and good quality comp/limit
OS for vintage and Q&A for LOTS of control and interesting wierdness.

[oldrocker]

Just today I was setting up a sound for my bass rig (band reunion).  And the verdict is  ... Orange Squeezer into the Zombie Chorus.  It sounds great.  The OS was perfect for my bass.  So I'm excited when my band starts playing again I'll be using the DIY pedals that I've built for my sound.  I don't want to use too many effects on the bass but that setup rocks.  My guitarist might use one of my DIY's also.   He likes the Highway 89.

I've always wanted to try the Soul Preacher myself.  It looks interesting.  The So Simple comp looks like something to try also.  I've built the OS, Flatline and DOD 280.  The DOD isn't one of my favorites but for me it's the OS for bass.

[vanessa]

Marty, have you built the Soul Preacher yet? If so how does it compare to the Flatline?

No I have missed that one, I'm a bit of a "compaholic" !

I've noticed, that's why I asked. You're like a walking encyclopedia of comp! 

I've not built the Soul Preacher but many on the forum have spoke of it with high regards. Something right up there with the very best of them.  I was interested in a comparison by you "the comp guy" with the flatline and others.

BTW: I re-did my TS808 clone to your (and Keeley) specs that you posted in a previous thread as I also know you are "Mr. Overdrive" as well. Wow! Thanks for the info. I put that .1uf in place of the .22uf and kept the .22uf off the Tone wiper and it really does open it up. Also the Keeley "More or Less" gain mods are very cool. Then added the .1uf in place of the .047uf voicing cap for more bass.

For my own touch I added a on-on-on switch to switch between three modes. Symmetric (808), Asymmetric (SD-1/808), and Asymmetric Bass Guitar (SD-1/808 with another .1uf cap switched in parallel to the .1uf voicing cap bringing it to .2uf for use with bass guitar).

Thank you!

-Vanessa

[markm]

The Soul Preacher is your basic O/S with some slight changes.
It is like the O/S tone wise but, to me offers more control over the compression.
If the Gallery were up and running you could go in and take a look as I too am a real Comp guy and I have quite the selection of compressor builds.
Perhaps when the Gallery is up and running again you can have a look Vanessa!