Origin Audio Cali76 FET compressor (1176 inspired)

[Fran Diaz]

I should have this new compressor here tomorrow and I'm very excited about it.

I'll post a review as soon as I test it, but let me just say that Simon Keats, the brain behind this pedal is a fantastic guy to deal with: Quick replies to my emails, detailed info and a lightning fast shipment.

You can reach him at his facebook page:
Origin Effects at FB

Some eye candy:

[milkman2k10]

subbed.

[caeman]

This topic intrigues me.

[eeyorebass]

Very curious.

Jeremy

[jschwalls]

can't wait.. thanks

[Fran Diaz]

I got it!

I haven't had a chance to plug it yet so I can only comment on quality of construction and I have to give it an A+: The aluminium casing is very solid and its finish is very smooth with no sharp edges. The knobs feel solid and smooth. It's a big pedal, but also quite light.

It arrived double packed and a battery was included. The manual shows some sampler settings for different instruments.

It looks fantastic.

I'll try to give it a go at home this afternoon and a real trial by fire tomorrow.

[caeman]

Curse the time difference between Spain and America!

[N.F.A.]

Awaiting the report with antici...... pation!(Subtle nod to Rocky Horror!)

[Fran Diaz]

I had a rehearsal with my band yesterday and I have to say that I’m very pleased with the way the unit worked. First of all: Noise is very, very low (a must for me since I can’t stand noise/hiss/buzz/… coming out of my amp). I’ve found the unit to be respectful with the original tone coming out of the bass, it tames the strong peaks with ease and there is no loss of any frequencies; maybe it tightens up the lows a hair, which is a good thing for me especially when playing at gig levels (loud).

I’m also happy with the fact that I didn’t get any dip-and-swell (I hate it on bass) at the settings that I used.

I'll keep posting more info as I have a chance to use the unit for a little longer.

[odin70]

Originally Posted by caeman

Curse the time difference between Spain and America!

Bless the time difference between Spain and Norway

[JBTucci]

wow, that looks really nice!
and - where's Bongo?

[Fran Diaz]

Originally Posted by JBTucci

wow, that looks really nice!
and - where's Bongo?

IIRC Bongo should get a unit for review pretty soon.

[bongomania]

Sorry for the crappy pic quality. They just arrived, on the same day, so it will be a little while before I can post any opinions on how they sound. However I can tell you that Fran was right, the Cali76 has an exceptionally solid and impressive appearance.

[svtb15]

Every Compressor builder compares theirs to the 1176.. And none that i have heard ever sounded like one.. so far.. I have been using a BAC500 recently.. It does the "infinity" setting but that is the departure . Sort of when you push all 4 buttons in on the 1176... . the BAC is about as smooth as i have ever used in studio or gig..

[bongomania]

Actually, "every" comp builder makes an optical comp pedal and compares it to the LA2A. Until the MXR M87 came around last year, I never once heard any comp pedal builder mention any comparison to the 1176.

Yes, there have been rackmount "copies" of the 1176 for a while now--but they cost almost as much as the real thing, and are equally inconvenient for a bassist to use outside a recording studio.

[onosson]

Love the big dials! So easy to make fine adjustments.

[Fran Diaz]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Sorry for the crappy pic quality. They just arrived, on the same day, so it will be a little while before I can post any opinions on how they sound. However I can tell you that Fran was right, the Cali76 has an exceptionally solid and impressive appearance.

Can't wait to read your review and how it compares to other comps (1176 ans some of your favs like the Opti-FET included).

[scotch]

subbed

[Fran Diaz]

Some more technical info straight from the horse's mouth:

"Both attack and release get faster as you turn the controls in the clockwise direction.

Attack times are: 0.020mS to 1.7mS (for 100% of recovery). Double the range when compared to the 1176 (1176 offers 0.02mS – 0.8mS). This offers more defined/percussive transients.

Release times are: 32mS to 267mS (for 63% of recovery). ). I deliberately tried to tailor these to guitar/bass, but could easily offer people a wider-range of times (1176 offers 50mS – 1100mS). The problem is that a wider range of times on the release control would make it harder for guitar/bass players to find a good setting, as the control resolution is greatly reduced. In my opinion longer release times are more useful for pro-audio/mastering tasks."

[Origin Effects]

Hi guys.

Attack & Release times can be tailored to an individuals needs. I'm very happy to provide stock-1176-times if the buyer so wishes. It's just a case of changing component values!

Fran - how have you found the stock-Cali76 Attack/Release times?