The Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor is a 1RU 19" rackmountable unit designed for dynamic signal processing for tracking, mixing, and mastering. The compressor's circuit design was tuned by ear for musicality and each unit is hand assembled in the U.S.A.
The unit features a class A amplifier with transformer-balanced input and output stages. The compression circuit utilizes an FET gain reduction element to control the amount of 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortion. A Dirty Comp/Clean Comp switch allows the total harmonic distortion of the circuit to range from 0.2 to 0.5% in Clean mode and 2 to 5% in Dirty mode which adds vibrance and warmth to the signal. To control the compression curve, the unit utilizes a selectable combination of resistors, Germanium diodes, silicon diodes and Zener diodes. Each setting selects a different compression curve from gentle to hard and changes the overall tone of the signal.
The unit also features controls to hardwire bypass the compression circuit, adjust the input gain, change the sidechain low frequency setting, adjust the compression ratio, adjust the wet/dry mix, and adjust the compression attack and release times. A Link switch allows you to link two compressors together for stereo operation. The output stage of the unit features a Germanium drive control for the Germanium amplifier which is connected to a feedback control. The feedback control changes the amount of output signal that is fed back into the input stage which subsequently changes the total harmonic distortion and tonality of the signal. A meter display provides visual feedback of the compression process.
For I/O, the unit features a mono XLR input, and a 1/4" TRS sidechain connection. The unit is powered by ± 28 V and requires the Chandler Limited PSU-1 MKII power supply (sold separately).
Input
Provides variable gain control over the incoming signal
Clean/Dirty Comp
Utilizes a FET compressor circuit design to control the presence of 2nd and 3rd harmonics
Sidechain
Controls the amount of signal entering the compressor detector with settings of OUT, 30, 60, 90, 150, and 300 Hz
Hardwire Bypass
Enables A/B comparison of the signal with and without compression, as well as comparing the tonal differences between the gain and feedback settings
Compressor Curve
Utilizes resistors, Germanium diodes, silicon diodes, Zener diodes, and combinations of diodes to control the compressor's ratio
Germanium Drive
Controls the output gain of the Germanium amplifier and operates in conjunction with the feedback control
Attack/Release
Controls the rate at which the compressor engages and disengages from fast to slow
Link
Links two compressors together
Feedback Control
Changes the amount of output signal that is fed back into the compressor's input and the tonality of the overall signal
Ratio
Controls the ratio of signal over the threshold to the amount of compression applied from gentle to hard
Wet/Dry
Mixes the compressed and uncompressed signal
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