[IN STOCK] L-1 Microcompressor Stereo (Eurorack)

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:40 pm

I make projects faster than can realize them..

First my Paypal problems then winter hoillydays delayed me. But Monday I must receive prototype boards for VC ADSR and Mute. So these projects will move further.

Now I deceided to make stereo version of Microcompressor. It can't work as double mono. But it obtained very elegant and not much parts. I made it a bit simplier than mono version. I changed big toggles (which I so love) to sub-miniature DPDT toggle switches.

No rare expensive parts - only two THAT4301.

Now I finished computer works and will order a prototype boards next week.

Will looks good after L-1 Stereo Mixer as master compressor

J3RK · Post by **J3RK** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:43 pm

L-1 wrote:I make projects faster than can realise them..

I've started doing that too. I have piles of PCB designs just waiting for prototypes, or production runs.

Compressor looks good!

paperCUT · Post by **paperCUT** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:54 am

Awesome, how well would it handle line level signals?

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 5:52 am

paperCUT wrote:Awesome, how well would it handle line level signals?

Must be no problems with that.

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:01 am

I spent much time moving parts and re-routing traces many times, but now the board is perfect!

Ordered a couple boards for a prototype unit.

mOBiTh · Post by **mOBiTh** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:13 pm

looks great mate

a slightly chunkier reduction meter or a set of dB LEDs would be nice to fill that gap a bit more - what you reckon?

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 4:59 pm

Will be hard to place this option and save this board size and DIY compatibility.
Really one LED which lights when signal is under compression is pretty enough.
LEDs indicator or bar graph wold be nice but cause or bigger board, more HP, or second board or completely SMT design, no DIY. Too big price for it.
Listen by ears, compression heard good, compare to bypassed sound, LED will help you.

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 5:14 pm

I tested the prototype today. Were several errors on the board, but now works good.
Need to order a test board again before ordering batch.

Short sample - simpliest possible patch and sequence. First half not compressed, second half compressed.

https://soundcloud.com/l-1-synth/l-1-mi ... sor-stereo

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/135715210" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

GNSDG · Post by **GNSDG** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:33 pm

Wow, that's impressive.

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 6:33 am

Photos:

Bakeneko · Post by **Bakeneko** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:16 am

Nice!

cheers and regards

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:20 am

Theory:

L-1 Microcompressor stereo

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:49 am

I've finished testing of the new prototype of the L-1 Microcompressor stereo.
It works good.
I will make a demo video soon. But now please check out my scope shots.

Comments and advises are appreciated.

Panel:

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:53 am

RATIO.

1:1 - no compression.

2:1

4:1

inf : 1

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:00 am

ATTACK

manual mode

The fastest attack in manual mode 0.5ms/dB (it can be faster in auto mode)
We see 10dB signal drop in 5ms.

Middle position. 4.5ms/dB
We see 10dB signal drop in 45ms.

The slowest attack 35ms/dB
We see 10dB signal drop in 350ms.

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:08 am

RELEASE

The fastest release is 5ms/dB.
We see 10dB increase in 50ms.

Middle position 45ms/dB.
We see 10dB increase in 450ms.

The longest release 350ms/dB.
We see 10dB increase in 3s.

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:13 am

ENVELOPE OUT

I added 5V offset in this version.

Env out - timing mode AUTO

Env out - timing mode peak - knee hard

Env out - timing mode peak - knee soft

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:21 am

ATT/REL = auto

TIMING MODE = peak

With these settings ATTACK is always very-very short, not depending on sygnal dynamics.
on shots - level changes not much, and level changes much. But attack anyway very short - less than 0.1ms.

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:28 am

ATT/REL = auto

TIMING MODE = auto

Timing capacitor in AUTO timing mode is variable, based on Miller effect.
Compressor works faster when level change is big, and slower when level change is not big.

But anyway it's for comparatively fast compression. For slower att/rel go to manual mode.

diablojoy · Post by **diablojoy** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:38 am

wow
very impressive

mDang · Post by **mDang** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:52 pm

Yes ! It looks very cool !

DSC · Post by **DSC** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:20 pm

Just finished mine with a custom printed panel. Dual mono or stereo!!

Link here if you want to see this panel being made!
viewtopic.php?t=110091&postdays=0&posto ... c&start=20

These are awesome! Highly recommended.

L-1 · Post by **L-1** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 2:57 am

DSC
WOW! nice!

The stereo version can be used as mono if one channel. But not dual mono simultaneously because of common sidechain processing for two channels.

DSC · Post by **DSC** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:51 am

Need a little help. One compressor works 100% fine. The other is working fine, but the led seems to light when the ratio knob is turned up even when there is no input or output plugged in. I scrubbed the pcb to remove any rosin left in the soldering process. I switched That chips to see if that was the culprit and they are both working properly. Any other hints or tips would be appreciated.

DSC · Post by **DSC** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 9:05 am

I think I have it fixed now. Not perfect but it will do. The only advice I can tell you is let the module heat up for at least 5 minutes before doing any calibration. It seems these are more 'sensitive' when you first run them and lose a little of this 'sensitivity' as they warm up. I waited a full 20 minutes for them to warm up before I trimmed the pots. Since I have two side by side I have the luxury of seeing what 'normal' behavior should be.

MOD WIGGLER

MOD WIGGLER

[IN STOCK] L-1 Microcompressor Stereo (Eurorack)

[IN STOCK] L-1 Microcompressor Stereo (Eurorack)

Re: [Prototyping] L-1 Microcompressor Stereo (Eurorack)