The Supreme Compressor Kit lets you build your modern OTA based compressor pedal. Operational Transconductance Amplifier based compressors, as the Ross Compressor or the MXR Dynacomp, are widely known and still used as a reference. Actually, most compressors out there are Dynacomp clones with some mods and variations! The Supreme Compressor has been redesigned to use a modern OTA IC (LM13700 instead of the now obsolete CA3080).
One of the main problems of compressors is that they’re very noisy. At low input levels the amplifier is set to have maximum gain, producing the maximum amount of output hum as every small interference and noise in the circuit is picked and amplified. To avoid this, in the Supreme Compressor the OTA is rearranged inside the feedback loop in a way that, to get maximum gain, the OTA amplification is set to the minimum.
– Attack knob you can dial the time it takes to the compression to engage: short attack times will give an almost-instant fast tracking compression, while a longer setting will let go fast string hits and will act depending on the overall volume.
– Release determines how much the gain is reduced during compression.
– Threshold sets how loud the input signal has to be for the compression to kick in. This knob is also known as Sustain or Compression in other compressors.
– Volume adjusts the overall output level.
The Supreme Compressor Kit is based on ValveWizard’s Engineer Thumb, check his website if you want more info about the project!
Download here the manual for the Supreme Compressor Kit:
Anthony –
One of the best compressor i’ve ever built. Top class!
Pirkka Jokela (verified owner) –
This was my first pedal kit build and maybe I should have started with something easier, but I did get it working.
The pedal is has a very wide range of compression effects and I really value the very compressed sound it gives with threshold set very low. With four knobs on the pedal, there are many ways to set it up and it does take some tinkering to find the setups that work best. I find this very valuable compared to my other compressor that has a much more narrow set of options.
Matthew –
Superb quality product. Easy to read and understand color instructions. Had a small bump in the road with this transaction, but the seller made it right immediately. HIGHLY recommended seller!!
Michael Wamback (verified owner) –
I had struggled to find a compressor that I liked. I love what they do, but hate dealing with the additional noise. The Supreme Compressor kit promised little or no noise, and boy, did it deliver. Far surpassed any expectations I had. The compression itself is beautiful and totally brought my guitar to life. Whether playing clean or distorted, the improved tone was noticeable. And sustain for days with a much more subtle step up effect than with a lot of compressors to create a more natural sounding sustain and decay with some beautiful feedback as well.
I had bought a previous kit (Stoning Distortion) so felt confident in EffectPedalKits quality. What can I say, they are 2 for 2. Have tossed my other compressors in a drawer, this one is the keeper.