Demeter Compulator users: trim pot question

bongomania · #1 03-15-2010, 11:41 AM

I'm reviewing the new Demeter "Compro", with the attack and release knobs, and I'm trying to figure out the differences between its trim pot and the one on the original (without having to buy the original again). Does the trim pot on the original allow you to turn down the input signal, to avoid clipping the pedal with a high-output instrument? Or does it just adjust the level of the signal hitting the threshold, regardless of clipping the input?

Any of you that have adjusted the trim pot, could you do me a massive favor and describe what made you adjust that pot, whether you needed to turn it up or down, what instrument you were using, and whether adjusting the trim pot got you the results you wanted?

Thanks a bunch!

(P.S. the trim pot on the new one just adjusts the amount of boost provided when you hit the boost switch.)

Dee-man · #2 03-15-2010, 11:46 AM

I adjusted the trim pot to account for the output of my bass. Not sure that's what it's for, but it helped with overall performance of the comp. Good luck, DM

grovest · #3 03-15-2010, 12:03 PM

My experience was a lot of ugly clipping with the Compulator's gain at the midpoint, and still a little bit with the gain at minimum. I was intriguied to see the new Pro model had a high/low gain thinking that it might be a better match for my bass. I.E. thinking it addressed your first case. But the description from Demeter is "We have also included a adjustable gain boost when you want deep compression at the flip of a switch or if you need to set up for two different instruments." which makes me think it may be more like your second guess. I'd guess Jim would be happy to answer the question.

bongomania · #4 03-15-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee-man

I adjusted the trim pot to account for the output of my bass. Not sure that's what it's for, but it helped with overall performance of the comp. Good luck, DM

Thanks, but did you turn it up or turn it down? Did your bass have high or low output?

bongomania · #5 03-15-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grovest

My experience was a lot of ugly clipping with the Compulator's gain at the midpoint, and still a little bit with the gain at minimum. I was intriguied to see the new Pro model had a high/low gain thinking that it might be a better match for my bass. I.E. thinking it addressed your first case. But the description from Demeter is "We have also included a adjustable gain boost when you want deep compression at the flip of a switch or if you need to set up for two different instruments." which makes me think it may be more like your second guess. I'd guess Jim would be happy to answer the question.

To be clear, I have the Compro in-hand and I can say with absolute certainty that the description on the Demeter site is accurate: the trim pot on this one only adjusts the amount of boost engaged when you flip the low/high gain switch. However I do not recall the actual function of the trim pot on the original one.

I emailed Demeter to ask, and Diane responded just by repeating what it says on the website.

SG-Jazz · #6 03-15-2010, 01:48 PM

Hey Bongo. I believe, if I remember correctly. The trim pot was set at max.

I have a jazz bass deluxe which puts out a very hot signal and had to turn down the trim pot about half way to get a clear non clipping signal.

After this, my compulator has been working fine. I think the trim pot just adjusts the input level. Mainly cutting.... I think.

Swift713 · #7 03-15-2010, 01:53 PM

Bongo, what I recall is that my OLP was too hot for the Compulator and clipped it. I had to turn that trim pot all the way down and keep the level knob pretty low as well. This left me with about 1 setting that could work for my bass. I'm not sure how accurate my perception was as it was one of my first comps and I'm not sure I really figured that one out.