Maxon RTC600 Tube Compressor?

[Charley Umbria]

Has anybody seen one of these in person yet?

Godlyke Distributing's web page says that they'll be available in late April, 2011: Maxon RTC600 | Maxon Real Tube II Series Compressor Limiter

However, Maxon Japan has the manual online already: http://fx.maxon.co.jp/Download_2/dow...TG-0105ASS.pdf

Maxon claims that, "“Brick Wall” limiter and “Soft Knee” compression effects are available"

Paging Bongomania...

[bongomania]

Yeah, well... if it takes them as long to release this as it took them to release the Power Pump, and as long for somebody to buy one new and sell it to me used as it took for the RCP660... I'll be reviewing this one in 2015.

[Charley Umbria]

Wow, 23 minutes. Now, that's service, Bongo!

Even after reading the JP version manual, it's still hard to tell if this will be a true tube compressor (a la MB Compressore) or the more common SS comp with tube gain. Any bets?

With the variable compression ratios from 1 to infinity and LED reduction indicator, if they've solved some of the RCP's noise problems, this could be a really flexible unit.

I've been looking for a compressor that'll handle classic rock to Motown sounds, without being too complex (I'm using a P-bass w/flats and an Ampeg B-100R). If this Maxon ever hits the streets, it could be a contender. I might even be convinced to ship it west for a review...

[bongomania]

Actually they spell it out on the Maxon website: it's a VCA comp (like dbx, Maxon CP9Pro+, Symetrix, Boss CS-3) that has a tube gain stage. But that's not necessarily a bad thing! My pessimism only extends to the timing of it landing in my hands, not to the possible quality of the pedal.

[Charley Umbria]

Ah, good eye. I read right past that!

I'm still a little confused by Maxon's description, though: "..."Soft Knee" compression effects are available."

From reading your (Bongo's) articles, I get the impression that soft and hard knee characteristics describe how the compressor treats incoming signals, based on how far they are over the threshold: Little spikes get less compression, larger spikes get a heavier ratio. Hard knee hits everything over the threshold with the same preselected ratio. Am I on the right track?

If that's the case, I don't see how that characteristic can be changed using the Maxon's controls (gain, attack and release times, etc). Does the compressor automatically change its "knee" based on the ratio selected?

[bongomania]

Yes you understood, and yes some comps are designed to automatically adjust the knee in relation to another control/knob. It may just be though that they are talking about what I described, IOW when your signal is not far over the threshold, it will respond with a soft knee.

[Charley Umbria]

Thanks, I follow you. I guess it's the "...are available" part of Maxon's description that's throwing me. It makes it sound like the soft knee characteristic is selectable or only kicks in part of the time. With an infinity setting on the ratio knob, I can see how a "brick wall" limiter would be selectable, though.

I'll have to pester Maxon once the pedal is released.