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Darkglass Super Symmetry

#221
KaizerRainMan said:
I just have one question about the super symmetry.

in regards to the gain knob and threshold.

When I am turning the gain knob clockwise, is that the same as lowering the threshold? or is it the other way around?

I'm a total newb when it comes to compression but I am loving this pedal.

Just can't wrap my head around how the gain/threshold knob affects the signal.
Click to expand...

If by the "gain" knob you mean the "input" knob, then generally how that works with compressors is that the threshold is fixed, so changing the input changes whether or not you hit the threshold for a given signal strength coming out of your bass. Higher input --> hit the threshold, lower input --> don't.
 
#222
Adamixoye said:
If by the "gain" knob you mean the "input" knob, then generally how that works with compressors is that the threshold is fixed, so changing the input changes whether or not you hit the threshold for a given signal strength coming out of your bass. Higher input --> hit the threshold, lower input --> don't.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I meant the input knob. So lowering the input knob means that it only compresses when I'm hitting harder. And turning it up it reaches the threshold faster.
 
#225
KaizerRainMan said:
Then it makes more sense. I'm just confusing myself at this point. Thanks for the.. um... input.
Click to expand...

Ha, yes.

Also, you probably get this but it's worth mentioning---as you turn down the input you may want to turn up the output and vice versa.
 
#230
Just a quick comment. Great thread guys! I I'm sure there are a lot of people,myself included, who will find this thread valuable. Also,I tip my hat to DARKGLASS, to show this kind of support is rare to say the least. A lot of companies could stand to follow this road, and be more supportive to their customers. From now on DARKGLASS will be at the top of my list of company's I will support . Again, great info.

Thank you! :thumbsup:
 
#231
So, I've contacted Darkglass support about the ratio and attack/release times. Here are the specs for anyone interested:

“Hello Brynar:
the specs i got for the Symmetry are:

Attack: 30 to 60mS
Release: 200 to 800ms
Type of circuit: VCA compression

Ratio at min : 1:1.5

Ratio at max : 1 :3.7

pubchart.png
“

I guess the attack and release times are the other way around. The manual states that higher settings for the attack will translate into faster times - higher settings for the release will hold the compressed signal for shorter time.

So attack is 60ms to the far left (0%) and 30ms to the far right (100%)
Release is 800ms to the far left (0%) and 200ms to the far right (100%).

If I understand the graph correctly the yellow line is no compression (pedal off). Blue is compression at minimum (1:1.5) and red is compression at maximum (1:3.7) - correct me if I’m wrong.

So! Do you guys relate to these numbers? Has anyone made their own tests and can confirm these?

I personally felt I was using the pedal in a “wrong” way when I cranked up the compressor knob, I like it that way... I can relax now when seeing that the ratio only goes up to 3.7.

Any thoughts?
 

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#232
BinnIngi said:
So, I've contacted Darkglass support about the ratio and attack/release times. Here are the specs for anyone interested:

“Hello Brynar:
the specs i got for the Symmetry are:

Attack: 30 to 60mS
Release: 200 to 800ms
Type of circuit: VCA compression

Ratio at min : 1:1.5

Ratio at max : 1 :3.7

View attachment 2870785 “

I guess the attack and release times are the other way around. The manual states that higher settings for the attack will translate into faster times - higher settings for the release will hold the compressed signal for shorter time.

So attack is 60ms to the far left (0%) and 30ms to the far right (100%)
Release is 800ms to the far left (0%) and 200ms to the far right (100%).

If I understand the graph correctly the yellow line is no compression (pedal off). Blue is compression at minimum (1:1.5) and red is compression at maximum (1:3.7) - correct me if I’m wrong.

So! Do you guys relate to these numbers? Has anyone made their own tests and can confirm these?

I personally felt I was using the pedal in a “wrong” way when I cranked up the compressor knob, I like it that way... I can relax now when seeing that the ratio only goes up to 3.7.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...


Thank you for sharing BinnIngi, I also asked Darkglass and got the same specs.
About relating to those numbers, I haven't got the expertise to check them, hopefully some experts will chime in.

However I noticed that the threshold varies according to the compression control. So raising the compression lowers the threshold and vice versa. This is something I didn't realise at the beginning, assuming the threshold was fixed, so like you, I cranked up the compressor knob (but without lowering the input control) and as a result my sound was too squashed.

These below are my min and max ratio settings:
min.png
max.png


At the end I guess it is just a matter of looking at the gain reduction leds making sure that whatever the knob setup are, the gain reduction remain the same, if that of course, is the intention. Am I making any sense ?
 
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#234
LowRenzo said:
View attachment 2914619

Finally acquired one of these for myself!

Didn't get much of a reply in the general DG thread, so I'm hoping I can get some tips, tricks, and experiences here, maybe?!
Click to expand...

I like it. My first compressor and it does what it says. :-) like all darkglass pedals I adjust it with the blend fully on. When I find a setting that I like I blend back my unaltered signal. I use it more like a fattening tool than super heavy compressor. (THOSE PRETTY BLUE LIGHTS)
 
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#235
KaizerRainMan said:
I like it. My first compressor and it does what it says. :) like all darkglass pedals I adjust it with the blend fully on. When I find a setting that I like I blend back my unaltered signal. I use it more like a fattening tool than super heavy compressor. (THOSE PRETTY BLUE LIGHTS)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback!

Did the same pretty much. The settings shown in the pic are already outdated, but still reasonably close, haha.

I thought I would be bothered by the attenuated highs, but I'm actually really liking the effect on my overall tone.
Using it blended, so I still keep most of my attack, but with more consistent (and thick) lows and mids. Really like what this then does to my Omicron running after it.

My overall tone sits very nicely in the mix, and really fills it up nicely.
 
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#236
LowRenzo said:
Thanks for the feedback!

Did the same pretty much. The settings shown in the pic are already outdated, but still reasonably close, haha.

I thought I would be bothered by the attenuated highs, but I'm actually really liking the effect on my overall tone.
Using it blended, so I still keep most of my attack, but with more consistent (and thick) lows and mids. Really like what this then does to my Omicron running after it.

My overall tone sits very nicely in the mix, and really fills it up nicely.
Click to expand...


Yeah I thought the same about the attenuated highs, but the blend does come in handy there. And I like the SuperSymmetry into Alpha Omega/Omicron. Dream team.
 
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#237
bongomania said:
It can't accentuate what isn't there, but there may be more there than you realize. String click and fretboard squeak, overdrive grit, and other subtleties live in the highs.

I don't want to overstate these tone effects though, both the DG's darkness and the Emp's brightness are subtle, not dramatic.
Click to expand...

If you were faced with a Darkglass at 365$ and an Empress at 250$..... what would you choose. I mainly play blues, finger style, with chorus or OD on some songs.
 

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