Overloud Gem Comp76 FET Compressor and Limiter Plug-In - Manual (Page 35)

OVERLOUD GEMS COMP LA
COMP LA
COMP LA : reproduces the response of two popular compressor units produced in the early 1960.
Both units were based on the characteristic curve of a light source coupled with a photoelectric
cell. The luminescent optical gain reduction was quite revolutionary for that times: applying the
audio signal to an electro-luminescent light shining on a photoelectric cell which in turn con-
trolled the gain. The photo-cells provided a very natural “two-stage” release which resulted in a
compression characteristic more transparent than the that of other compressors.
First model (2A) had the electro-luminescent
light powered by a tube, while the next one
(3A) used a transistor. Tubes can provide less
current than transistors, so their response to
attack transients was softer and had more
harmonics due to the slight distortion intro-
duced.
33
Two-stage release:
• 70 ms for fi rst half of the release
• 500 ms to 5000 ms for second half of the release
(depends on fi rst stage reduction)