modified Ross compressor build
- i love sharin foo
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modified Ross compressor build
I've had most of the parts for this lying around for a couple years now. I decided to finally get off my ass, round up the remaining parts, and put it together. The PCB is from General Guitar Gadgets. I knew I wanted a brighter tone, and I also liked the 'attack' control that Analog Mike and others offer on their builds. I found some really good info that Mark Hammer posted regarding some modifications which helped me out a lot. I went for more volume, switchable input cap omission, extra brightness, and three setting 'attack' control. The knobs I used were salvaged from an old two way radio that was my late grandfathers. The paint is red glitter and the LED is pink. It sounds great. It is definitely much brighter than a stock Ross from what I can tell from video clips. The attack control is awesome. It makes it possible to preserve most of your attack if you like but still compress the sustain and decay. I feel like I can get the benefit of a compressor while still retaining dynamics where I like them. It has enough volume to use as a booster if you wanted to. It is by no means my cleanest build and I HATE working with PCBs, but it fired up first try and sounds excellent, so I won't complain. I still need to epoxy in the battery holder.
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- andy
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
Looks great. That is a very clean build.
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- Shadoweclipse13
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
Very lovely!
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384
- s_mcsleazy
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
i've been curious to make my own ross comp pedal yet most ross style comps seemed a little muddy for me (i'm usually on my neck pickup) and i'd be curious to try some of these mods if it would clean it up a bit.
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- i love sharin foo
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
Thanks guys!
I’ve not had a standard Ross circuit, but based on what I have heard in videos and read about, mine seems to be considerably brighter. The input cap makes a difference, (mine goes from standard to no cap) but I think it is the addition of a small cap across the last 10k resistor, just before the output pot, that makes the biggest difference. The switchable attack control is really really nice also. I think it makes it much more useful. You need a 3 way spdt toggle with a center OFF to do it though.
I’ve not had a standard Ross circuit, but based on what I have heard in videos and read about, mine seems to be considerably brighter. The input cap makes a difference, (mine goes from standard to no cap) but I think it is the addition of a small cap across the last 10k resistor, just before the output pot, that makes the biggest difference. The switchable attack control is really really nice also. I think it makes it much more useful. You need a 3 way spdt toggle with a center OFF to do it though.
The whispers cut like hard rain, Like sugar in a hurricane
- s_mcsleazy
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
do you have any schematics laying around for this mod?i love sharin foo wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2019 7:49 amThanks guys!
I’ve not had a standard Ross circuit, but based on what I have heard in videos and read about, mine seems to be considerably brighter. The input cap makes a difference, (mine goes from standard to no cap) but I think it is the addition of a small cap across the last 10k resistor, just before the output pot, that makes the biggest difference. The switchable attack control is really really nice also. I think it makes it much more useful. You need a 3 way spdt toggle with a center OFF to do it though.
offset guitars resident bass player.
'Are you trying to seduce me Mrs Robinson? Or do you just want me to solder a couple of resistors into your Muff?'
'Are you trying to seduce me Mrs Robinson? Or do you just want me to solder a couple of resistors into your Muff?'
- fuzzjunkie
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
So...how does it sound with a Rickenbacker 12string?i love sharin foo wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2019 7:49 amThanks guys!
I’ve not had a standard Ross circuit, but based on what I have heard in videos and read about, mine seems to be considerably brighter. The input cap makes a difference, (mine goes from standard to no cap) but I think it is the addition of a small cap across the last 10k resistor, just before the output pot, that makes the biggest difference. The switchable attack control is really really nice also. I think it makes it much more useful. You need a 3 way spdt toggle with a center OFF to do it though.
- i love sharin foo
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
Like Roger McGuinn hehe.
Seriously though, the attack mod really brings a whole lot more usefulness to the table. You can preserve your initial attach but still compress the decay. The octave strings really come to life with it on. It sounds much better than the reissue Dyna Comp that I used to own. It costs less in parts to build this than it would’ve to buy another MXR. I’m glad I finally put it together.
The whispers cut like hard rain, Like sugar in a hurricane
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
No. I just read about the mods, then a schematic and applied it to my particular pcb. I think tonepad has a file showing the attack mod though.
The whispers cut like hard rain, Like sugar in a hurricane
- fuzzjunkie
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
And just like that, this shows up in my inbox, but don’t worry, nobody’s listening.
Ross effects make a comeback with reissues of their legendary Compressor and Distortion pedals.
https://reverb.com/news/ross-effects-pe ... ndary-line
Ross effects make a comeback with reissues of their legendary Compressor and Distortion pedals.
https://reverb.com/news/ross-effects-pe ... ndary-line
- Ursa Minor
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
Oh man - i just saw that too. I love Ross. Very cool they're doing a RI with the same enclosure style. My favorite chorus is the Ross CE-2-ish pedal. I had a phase distortion that sounded excellent too at one point. I've always liked my MXR and would pay for vintage prices.
This looks like a fun build. I like the flexibility of the attack settings. Well done!
This looks like a fun build. I like the flexibility of the attack settings. Well done!
The artist formerly known as kosmonautmayhem.
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
Thanks!
I am pretty surprised at how easily it integrates into my playing. I always felt like the RI Dyna Comp was an "effect", one that you only used for this or that. While using the Ross how I've built it really makes almost everything sound better. You get more of the advantages with less of the down sides. For $50, I am very pleased!
I am pretty surprised at how easily it integrates into my playing. I always felt like the RI Dyna Comp was an "effect", one that you only used for this or that. While using the Ross how I've built it really makes almost everything sound better. You get more of the advantages with less of the down sides. For $50, I am very pleased!
The whispers cut like hard rain, Like sugar in a hurricane
- Ursa Minor
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
I was using my early 80s MXR Dyna Comp almost always for quite a few years. I was using it after my overdrive or fuzz face to tame the volume and smooth things out. Works extremely well in that regard - especially if you can keep the dynamics under control. So in essence I used mine as a volume attenuator since the FF has be run full out to be any good. I kinda gave up using it since I don't play with fuzz much anymore but this thread might get me to pull it out again.
I had a few others I liked and used more traditionally - Boss CS-2 mostly first in line. vs after any drive. Comps are great if used sparingly and not as effects. Although as effects they can be good for that sound too.
I've always been intrigued by optical comps also. I hear they're more natural but never owned one. The newly RI'd DOD grey and orange comp is optical. I've had my eye on that one a while.
I had a few others I liked and used more traditionally - Boss CS-2 mostly first in line. vs after any drive. Comps are great if used sparingly and not as effects. Although as effects they can be good for that sound too.
I've always been intrigued by optical comps also. I hear they're more natural but never owned one. The newly RI'd DOD grey and orange comp is optical. I've had my eye on that one a while.
The artist formerly known as kosmonautmayhem.
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
I've always wondered how the optical compressors compared also. The Orange Squeezer is a really, really simple circuit. I think I will build one of them one day to find out first hand. I have a whole bunch of enclosures and footswitches on hand which makes it pretty cost effective to throw something together. I always hate wasting so much time ordering small parts from Mouser though. I generally build most of my stuff with carbon comps for two reasons: They look awesome and I can find the ones I need faster and easier on Mouser's site That may sound fucked, but it's the truthkosmonautmayhem wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2019 6:55 pmI've always been intrigued by optical comps also. I hear they're more natural but never owned one. The newly RI'd DOD grey and orange comp is optical. I've had my eye on that one a while.
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- Ursa Minor
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Re: modified Ross compressor build
I can get with that logic. I went through a period where I built pedals pretty regularly. I probably have most of what I need to make a a few more, save a few crucial parts. Carbon comps are great - but Mouser is tough to buy from. Though the prices are a lot better than any guitar specific site.
The artist formerly known as kosmonautmayhem.