New Darkglass Compressor: The Hyper Luminal Hybrid Compressor

[Darkglass]

To be clear I have not purchased a HL yet. Definitely interested! Was concerned due to having the Truetone Pro CS12 myself.
With the new mod, sounds like the power supply issue will be a non-issue.

It absolutely won’t! Like I said. The only difference will be the free mug you’ll get if we have to mod it after you buy it.

But totally up to you.

 

[flewis]

It absolutely won’t! Like I said. The only difference will be the free mug you’ll get if we have to mod it after you buy it.

But totally up to you.

 

[darkbass]

I’ve experienced a weird event 2 times in the past 2 days. Running a daisy chain off an EBS AD9. With the Comp last in the chain preceded by Zoom MS60b and Digitech BSW.
I see signal going into the Comp but no volume going into amp.

Any ideas??? Doesn’t happen all the time but....

 

[Lovep]

Just received the HL today. It’s a great looking pedal.

I’m pleased with the compression...esp in FET mode. I’m still playing around to find the optimal settings. This is where I need help.

Question: What are the ratio settings lights? Two rows?

So far...I’m not sold on the pedal. I’m coming from a Keeley Bassist. Any suggestions on favorite settings?

Thanks

 

[Elder Rynok]

We will have to mod your pedal to make it compatible with that power supply (it’s one of the only two I’ve had reports of issues with, along with older Voodoo Labs).

Again this is not an issue and since next week all pedals will be shipped with the compatibility mod, the only difference is that if we have to modify yours now (at no cost, shipping or otherwise for you of course) you’ll get a free Darkglass coffee mug .

Email sent, thanks for the quick response.

 

[Darkglass]

Just received the HL today. It’s a great looking pedal.

I’m pleased with the compression...esp in FET mode. I’m still playing around to find the optimal settings. This is where I need help.

Question: What are the ratio settings lights? Two rows? No explanation whatsoever...

So far...I’m not sold on the pedal. I’m coming from a Keeley Bassist. Any suggestions on favorite settings?

Thanks

Hi! Compression Ratios are different for each mode, as we wanted to model each compresor as accurately as possible.

They are:

BUS: 1.5, 2, 4, 10.
SYM: Same range as the original pedal (the Super Symmetry is an extremely unusual circuit).
FET: 4, 8, 12, 20.

 

[Darkglass]

I’ve experienced a weird event 2 times in the past 2 days. Running a daisy chain off an EBS AD9. With the Comp last in the chain preceded by Zoom MS60b and Digitech BSW.
I see signal going into the Comp but no volume going into amp.

Any ideas??? Doesn’t happen all the time but....

Hi! If your supply is rated for 250mA or more, you might have an incompatible one, so please send us an email to [email protected] and we’ll take care of you in no time.

Kind regards!
Doug.

 

[Briton]

It looks like this pedal is a bit hit or miss, so I aint going to buy a pedal that costs that much if it isn't compatible with some power supplies. I think I will wait for Ampegs new Opto Compressor.

 

[Lovep]

Hi! Compression Ratios are different for each mode, as we wanted to model each compresor as accurately as possible.

They are:

BUS: 1.5, 2, 4, 10.
SYM: Same range as the original pedal (the Super Symmetry is an extremely unusual circuit).
FET: 4, 8, 12, 20.

Thanks for the quick response...one of the reasons I buy your products!

Having said that, I know compression is normally “dialed-in”, so the actual ratio values are not critical, but why not put these in the manual??

Also, what does the row of lights above the ratio do??

 

[TonyRo]

It looks like this pedal is a bit hit or miss, so I aint going to buy a pedal that costs that much if it isn't compatible with some power supplies. I think I will wait for Ampegs new Opto Compressor.

I think you'd be missing out - it's a great sounding compressor (especially the FET mode, imo) with a lot of flexibility in a very aesthetically pleasing and small footprint. Really happy I sold my SS to switch to the HL.

 

[Lovep]

I think you'd be missing out - it's a great sounding compressor (especially the FET mode, imo) with a lot of flexibility in a very aesthetically pleasing and small footprint. Really happy I sold my SS to switch to the HL.

I agree! FET sounds the best, followed by SYM mode.

 

[Briton]

I think you'd be missing out - it's a great sounding compressor (especially the FET mode, imo) with a lot of flexibility in a very aesthetically pleasing and small footprint. Really happy I sold my SS to switch to the HL.

But if it isn't compatible with my power supply I wouldn't be missing out at all.

 

[TonyRo]

What PS are you using? You might be in the clear to begin with. And even if you're not and your PS is on the naughty list, Doug said they'd mod it, if you don't already get a modded unit. Then you'd also get a free mug.

 

[Briton]

What PS are you using? You might be in the clear to begin with. And even if you're not and your PS is on the naughty list, Doug said they'd mod it, if you don't already get a modded unit. Then you'd also get a free mug.

I have already asked the Darkglass guy on the previous page but did not get a reply so my MXR iso-brick must be one of those that is not compatible. I ain't interested in a modification as that sends alarm bells ringing straight waay. I am going to give this one a miss as I am not 100% confident in the product. But thanks for your reply.

 

[Darkglass]

Thanks for the quick response...one of the reasons I buy your products!

Having said that, I know compression is normally “dialed-in”, so the actual ratio values are not critical, but why not put these in the manual??

Also, what does the row of lights above the ratio do??

They indicate which ratio is selected (unless you refer to the meter).

But you have a point, we will add these to the manual, and most importantly, to the Suite as the manual will not be able to keep up with all the additional models we'll include in the future.

Kind regards,

 

[Lovep]

So there are two rows of lights over the ratio button. The bottom four do as you indicate. The top 7-8 lights do nothing on mine. Is that right??

 

[Darkglass]

So there are two rows of lights over the ratio button. The bottom four do as you indicate. The top 7-8 lights do nothing on mine. Is that right??

That's just the Gain Reduction meter,as the name suggests, it only indicates how much gain is the compressor reducing.

If you crank up the Compression knob and Ratio and play hard you will see them light up, not that it would be necessarily a good setting, if you ahve something that sounds good to you, that's what matters.

The meter is simply a visual aid.

 

[symbolic_acts]

nah i think he's talking about the small dots directly above the ratio button lights in a semicircle, not the gain reduction meter. I think they're just a design choice so you know which side is higher ratio (bigger circles, more to the right = higher ratio)? looks neat regardless

Can someone explain whats actually happening with the compressor when its in FET mode with all 4 lights on? It doesn't feel like its just a regular compressor in this setting. What is it doing? i'm also curious why the BUS and SYM modes dont also have an all lights on mode

So far i haven't even set it up with the rest of my main board yet. Im just testing it running straight with it into the amp and man its really quiet and simply sounds great all by itself. Definitely gives a unique character in comparison to my Empress which is much more subdued. Not even sure which comp i like more but this one is definitely much more in your face

 

[scubaduba]

@symbolic_acts My review here talks about what compressors the BUS and FET were modeled after. Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more
In FET with all four LEDs on the compressor mimics the "All Buttons In" mode of the 1176.

 

[symbolic_acts]

Really good review. But still i dont get what its doing. It doesn't seem to just be a really high compression ratio, it seems like something else is going on. I'm curious about the specifics

definitely agree with you in your review that the bus mode just sounds "really really good". definitely noticed how thick and full it sounded while retaining clarity. BUS with the 3rd light (4:1 i think) is my jam.