Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor

The Germanium series continues with the Chandler Germanium Compressor.  The Germanium Comp starts with the same all class A amp found in the Germanium Pre and Tone Control and is transformer balanced in and out.  The Compression circuit uses a FET gain reduction element but with the tricks and flexibility of all the Germnium a units.  Some of the most notable additions include a wet/dry mix, for “submixing” tracks within the comp, Comp Curve, which selects the knee using various diode combinations, clean/dirty comp, side-chain filter.  Many of the Germanium Comp parameters have been purposely set by studio use and listening not by over analyzing them with test gear.  The result is a musical powerhouse ready for tracking, mixing, and mastering.

Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor at a Glance:

• Innovative features; great tone by the bucketload
• Your secret weapon: the Feedback control
• The best results are dialed in by ear, not by test gear

Innovative features; great tone by the bucketload

This function controls the input gain of the Germanium amp. The amount of gain is related to the Feedback control position. The parameters for Ratio and Attack/Release also dialed in by ear. Ratios can go from very gentle to a hard, punchy FET smash. You can dial the Attack/Release from fast to slow. Your ears are your best guide! FET compressors are known for high amounts of distortion. This is usually compensated for in the design. The Dirty Comp removes only unwanted harsh distortion and leaves all the 2nd and 3rd harmonics in place, adding vibrance and elegance by the bucketload.

Your secret weapon: the Feedback control

The Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor's Feedback control changes the amount of signal fed from the amplifier output back to the input. As well as acting as a volume-type control, this knob seriously effects the tone of the unit. Turned to the left, there's less volume and harmonic distortion, and more high frequencies. Set to the right, you get more volume, more harmonic distortion, and a low-end peak around 30Hz. In your constant quest for unique and better sounds, the Germanium Compressor's Feedback control is your secret weapon.

The best results are dialed in by ear, not by test gear

The Germanium Compressor uses resistors, germanium diodes, silicon diodes, or diode combinations to control the ratio of the compressor. Each setting will show its own true character while adjusting the compressor's curve. The resistance and germanium settings are very gentle, while the silicon and zener settings grab harder. This control (among others) was dialed in by ear, not by test gear, helping to make the Germanium Compressor one of the most musical units out there.

Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor Features

• Dirty Comp/Clean Comp
• Comp Curve and Link
• Germanium Drive
• Feedback Control
• Ratio and Attack/Release
• Note: this unit requires the Chandler Limited Power Supply