EVENTIDE OMNIPRESSOR 2830AU DYNAMIC EFFECTS PROCESSOR

Introduced in the early 1970s, the Omnipressor was the first dynamics effects processor of any kind, suddenly making possible a new, wide range of dynamics effects unlike anything that had come before it. Originally invented by Eventide’s founder, Richard Factor (and later redesigned for production by Jon Paul), the Omnipressor made a host of dynamic effects possible. It featured variable control of all aspects of dynamic modification. It also introduced the notion of the ‘side chain’ and foretold techniques that today we take for granted like ‘look ahead’ processing. One of Eventide's first customers was a young Brian May, lead guitarist of Queen. With the Omnipressor in his rig, his sound was never the same.

THE LEGEND RETURNS

In those few years of production, the model 2830 was a success! Engineers and producers discovered what was possible by using dynamics as an effect. Many of the original units are still in operation today. They rarely come up for sale; when they do sellers are asking north of $6k! A clamor from those coveting the unique Omnipressor dynamic effects resulted in Factor developing first a hardware emulation using VSIG for the Eventide Orville, and later Eventide’s development team creating an Omnipressor plug-in for Pro Tools. Fatefully, in an episode of the Gear Club podcast, Factor impulsively suggested that Eventide would reintroduce the rack mount classic.

Eventide has commemorated the 50th Anniversary Eventide Omnipressor 2830Au. The original hand-drawn schematics were in the Eventide archives and the new model is a faithful replica designed with the same circuitry and the same sound as the original 2830. With supply chain issues resolved after 50 years, you can now find the 2830Au for sale and priced about the same as the original.

The Au model features the ability to link multiple units and is fitted with input and output audio transformers which were a costly option on the original. Other improvements include a universal power supply, and a back-lit meter. More convenient TRS/XLR connectors replace the original terminal strip.

FEATURES:

• Dynamics processing capable of creating otherworldly sounds
• Dynamic Reversal — the first of its kind, soft signals come out loud and loud signals come out quiet, simulating tape reversal, a near unique attribute of this versatile compressor
• Function Control sets a ratio over a continuous range allowing extreme expansion, to infinite compression, and is even able to push further into dynamic reversal
• Variable Control of attack and release time
• Variable Control of maximum gain and maximum attenuation
• Side Chain allows the level detect of the Omnipressor to be driven by another audio source
• Gating — amplitudes of signals that fall below a set threshold are ‘squooshed’
• Expansion widens a signal’s dynamic range, louder gets louder, softer gets softer
• Compression offers variable control of compression ratio
• Infinite Compression - if you want everything to come out at the same level, this is the feature for you
• Limiting — a fast, versatile limiter, useful for maintaining a loud sound
• Intuitive interface for clean and easy operation