How to use a Compressor: Vahlbruch Quantum Opto compressor/sustainer

[@TheToneLounge]

⚡ 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼𝘀: 🔴 VFP series: kzbin.info/aero/PLeAo3au6SN1kfdYcyp8bvHttqkPinQ2Wt 🔴 AC15 series: kzbin.info/aero/PLeAo3au6SN1mEE4I1YYC2GtP7Y9sZ4VKT

[@Rulon-bo1ig]

Love the playing, easy to understand explanations for people like me. I also have a squire indo strat, loving it. I think I’m going for the quantum an the opto trem on my board.

[@TheToneLounge]

That would be a great combination of pedals.

[@derrickdavila_art]

Great demo of showing the capabilities of a compressor. Compressors have always been hit-and-miss for me because I've generally lacked understand or dial them in with my lean setup. Aside from a boost or overdrive, I think a compressor seems like a foundational piece especially with Telecasters. BTW- would've enjoyed hearing your Telecaster with the Opto, but the bass and acoustic were rad. Thanks for sharing!!

[@TheToneLounge]

I intend to do a video with compressors and the Tele/AC15 pairing. Think of it as a sort of compressor shootout.

[@derrickdavila_art]

Awesome! I'm looking forward to it!@@TheToneLounge

[@mattgilbert7347]

First! Love my optical comp, as well as the transduction-based ones. Very interesting pedal.

[@TheToneLounge]

Optical compressors are great tools for just about any type of instrument. Which model is your transduction based comp?

[@mattgilbert7347]

​​@@TheToneLounge Hi, I like the Diamond Yellow circuit for Opto (mine is a clone, made by a local) and I have a couple of VCA based that's what I mean by transducer - the voltage controlled amplifier type. I have a T-Rex Comp Nova and a Keeley Comp+ ( possibly inaccurate, but old-timers called them transducer type and I picked it up). I love my Rothwell Love Squeeze but idk if it's optical or not. It is quite subtle for a series-method compressor.

[@mattgilbert7347]

​@@TheToneLounge I nearly forgot my beloved M Audio Effects Compressor. I am unsure about the design of that one, but it has an onboard noise-gate and is incredibly versatile. Can be set to mimic the Ross/Keeley sound *and* the optical/Diamond.

[@pruppek]

How does it work with bass in the long run? I thought about getting it mostly for bass use. Does it cuts any lows/highs and does it get easily distorted/starts clipping when you slpa the low notes on a 5 string? :D Have you tested it more since making the video and have some more bass oriented observations? :)

[@TheToneLounge]

It's fine for more mellow bass stuff, but I am not certain about the type of use that you intend to use for. This compressor is more tailored to the frequencies of a guitar. You may want to look at a bass specific compressor.

[@nikman5300]

So is this optical thing a way to see how long it sustains before fade out? If it is not optical is it transduction? How would it compare to a normal compressor, say for ex the mxr dynacomp? I get this parallel and series thing but how do the other "normal"compressors work? Of course this is not a lecture on compressors but i would appreciate if you could spare some time on a simple answer

[@TheToneLounge]

I don't want to lead you in the the wrong here. but my understanding of electrical engineering is rather limited. A normal compressor will affect the whole signal, attenuating the peaks and increasing the lower signal. The opto compressor does this as well. The "other" compressors are hard for me to quantify or describe, as there are many types. Tube compressors, VCA, etc, all work with the same principle: attenuate the high peaks and and increase the lower ones. What makes the opto-compressor different, from my understanding, is that it has a photo cell that reacts to a light bulb, The light bulb reacts to the input signal. How slow/fast the light bulb decays will dictate the release of the note. If you want to delve deeper into this subject, I suggest looking into the term "ADSR', which means attack/sustain/release/decay. This describes the wave form and how the compressor reacts and interacts with these four aspects of a wave form.

[@nikman5300]

@@TheToneLounge Thank you so much although is still a little blurry what this opto thing offers to a musician. Perhaps is a little above of a normal use of a compressor but most probably i didn't grasp the idea too well. I'm going to to do a mini research and should i find something worth mentioning i'll come back.