Sputnik Saga (Happy Ending)

[Pump Man]

Greetings Everyone!

I was looking around for a compressor to even things out a bit when I start to dig in and slap a bit.

My goal was to find a unit that would "trim & smooth" but not bite, and had to be tonaly transparent and of course noise free.

I use a BBE B-MAX-T which does have a compressor in it but it really squashes and breathes and is just hard to get adjusted.

Based on all the reviews and playing with a few units at the stores, I obtained a Maxon CP-9 Pro+ unit and a Frantone Sputnik.

I first played with the Maxon and really tried to love it but as others have found, it's attack is not always perfect. It also does leave some artifacts and does produce some noise.

Turned my attention to the Sputnik and OH MY, this thing is quiet and transparent! And LOVE that big LED! Great smooth reliable attack too!

However, as others have found, the unit still takes a considerable "bite" with the "Squeeze" all the way CCW. It was just taking just a bit too much out...so sad!

I sent an e-mail to Frantone about this and Fran replied very quickly. What the issue was is that the Sputnik has a fixed threshold, which is great for guitar useage but us bass players need to be able to dial things in a bit more.

Fran offered (for just a few dollars) to modify the unit with an internal threshold control or to turn the "Squeeze" into a threshold control and "fix" the squeeze.

I chose to have Fran install the internal threshold control and sent the unit off to her. I had the unit back in 4 days and PRESTO, it works exactly as I wanted!

I set the internal threshold control at a level that worked well with both of my basses (Bongo5 & Ray5).

I can HAMMER a low B and it just smooths it out without any loss of tonality, breathing, or pumping.

Thanks Fran!!

[bongomania]

Nice! It's absolutely true that threshold control (or input level control) can make or break a compressor's usability for bass. Glad she was able to do that mod for you, I've been wanting to try out the Sputnik and Sandwich.

[Pump Man]

Fran did suggest I try her "Sandwich" unit. However, I really like that large LED and it does very much indicate what is going on. I like visual feedback as to what I'm hearing!