DIY SSL Mixbus Compressor

[DavidBanner]

I found this last night and I figured I wouldn't be the only one who wanted to build one of these babies...

http://www.gyraf.dk/gy_pd/ssl/ssl.htm

[Ashiman]

its a VCA compressor, those are known for being transparent , no color at all .

[ptitjes]

its a VCA compressor, those are known for being transparent , no color at all .

So you mean a real compressor! ;)

[DavidBanner]

I've ordered all the bits I need - now I wait a couple of weeks for the bits to arrive and throw this baby together in an afternoon...

With a bit of luck I'll be able to find a spare afternoon in a few weeks - well a lot of luck actually...

[snebenan]

I have built one of those but still have some problems with it.  ???

Mainly due to me being a newbe in electronics. Also the 230 voltages are a bit scary...

If you get yours up and running maybe I can ask for some voltage measurements to see where mine is messed up?

//Peter

[DavidBanner]

sure - no problems!

have you tried:

http://www.prodigy-pro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=110

[snebenan]

Yes, i've looked at the prodigy-pro forum but I think I lost my motivation somewhere at page 32 of 171. The posted sympthoms just didn't match mine.

Oh, I see that they have cleaned up the SSL help thread. Cool!

I will give prodigy a new chance. But then there is this lack of free afternoons...  ;)

[Ashiman]

OEP transformers are cheap as chips at rapidonline UK, at least that may provide some color  ;D

[stryd_one]

Let us know how you go with yours man... I've had my kit sitting here for about a year or two waiting for that free afternoon to come along hehe

[Twin-X]

I found this last night and I figured I wouldn't be the only one who wanted to build one of these babies...

http://www.gyraf.dk/gy_pd/ssl/ssl.htm

Eh you found this last night?

I allready build this one since they left the recording forums.

It's a very good compressor.

I have build 1 for someone in NZ . Still have to build 3 myself.

[DavidBanner]

hehehe - I saw a Twin-X posting on some of the boards and figured it must be you!

I'll let ya'll know how it goes with the build. Also want to build a stereo Pultec at some stage.

Anyone know of any DIY Vari-MU style compressors?

[doc]

Anyone know of any DIY Vari-MU style compressors?

Search the prodigy-com forum. There is a simple vari.Mu schematic in it (from PPR)  I've build once.

Can't find the link right now.

greets

Doc

[DavidBanner]

thanks doc!

how did the unit you built sound?

[doc]

It sounds great.

The problem was, to find the right transormers for it.

PPR just invented a "theoretical" design. He simulated it, but never built one.

I ended up with some OEP transformers, which I often used for simular projects.

It was a very easy design and you have to "modify" it a little bit. Then it sounds good.

But be warned. If you are not familiar with tube circuits it isn't a good starter project at all.

btw. Here are the links to the comp.

http://music-club.rutgers.edu/headfonz/Comp5/Comp5.html

http://www.conditionedresponse.com/DIY/C5/index.html

Have fun!

greets

Doc

[DavidBanner]

thanks for the links Docs.

I'll stick that in the list of projects to do once I find a myself with some time on my hands.

[DavidBanner]

the compressor is alive and well and sounding AMAZING!

I defo recommend this project to anyone else who needs a decent compressor.

snebenan - what are the symptoms with your unit?

[snebenan]

Congratulations on a successful build  ;D

The auto mode can be very brutal. at least mine goes bezerk in Auto mode.  ;D

Update.

I must have been using dry cardboard or somthing for cables during my last testing.

The hum and noise is completely gone. Unless I try the Auto release mode when it goes into berzerk mode.  ??? but mayby that is supposed to happend on the sixth release option?

If you look at the controller PCB on the ssl.pdf at Gyraft site

http://www.gyraf.dk/gy_pd/ssl/ssl.pdf

Did you put your release Switch to 5 or six positions? Mine is set at 6 and it's the last one that goes weird (rather nice if you want metasonix style distortion)

//Peter

[DavidBanner]

great news that your unit is working!

sounds like an ground issue was the problem....

Did you put your release Switch to 5 or six positions? Mine is set at 6 and it's the last one that goes weird (rather nice if you want metasonix style distortion)

Hehehe - I've set my switch to 5 pos - but I'm gonna set it to 6 if I get some cool fx like you are saying!!!

That's not a problem - it's a circuit bend "undocumented feature". the release is only meant to have 5 positions...

[snebenan]

it's a circuit bend "undocumented feature". the release is only meant to have 5 positions...

Ah, I have suspected that but never found a good reference that says it's a "undocumented feature". But I trust the green alien I found on the internet. ;)

//Peter

[stryd_one]

If you look at the controller PCB on the ssl.pdf at Gyraft site

http://www.gyraf.dk/gy_pd/ssl/ssl.pdf

Did you put your release Switch to 5 or six positions?

Buh? there's only 5 there... I gogled and searched prodigy but no joy... Can you give me the lowdown?

[DavidBanner]

Ah, I have suspected that but never found a good reference that says it's a "undocumented feature"

the minute someone writes it down as a feature it's no longer an Undocumented Feature ;)

If you leave the switch at 6 pos it leaves the Common Floating, I guess this is why you are getting some freaky stuff happening.

[snebenan]

Buh? there's only 5 there... I gogled and searched prodigy but no joy... Can you give me the lowdown?

It says, Release 2*5(6). I read that as 5 positions, or 6 is optional.

(page 2 in the pdf, above the release controller)

Have you got a gssl as well stryd?

//Peter

[stryd_one]

Well, I have a full set of parts and PCBs and such here for it, but haven't built it yet...

I didn't see the 2nd page, derrrr  ::) Oh now I see it... position 6 is auto release, ahhhhhhh, that I knew about. It's not so undocumented if you use that as a search term, but position 6 gets not a lot. I think the brackets are just because it's the odd-one-out..it's not a "value" as such.

It's probably obvious that I haven't even begun to consider assembling mine ;)

[DenDer]

Let us know how you go with yours man... I've had my kit sitting here for about a year or two waiting for that free afternoon to come along hehe

Hehehe me too....but only for a few months on my account......

They say that the GSSL is even better than the original......a friend of mine already build 4 of these and they are awesome. But it all depends on which vca's you're gonna use.

[snebenan]

Well, I left my thought to be defective unit on the shelf for nearly three years before this thread came along. (and to find it working perfectly just by changing cables... :-[  )

It took me two-three weeks to build, including the case (one hour here and there)

But after hooking it up and listening to some serious pumping I could not be more pleased.  ;D

(it can probably be used transparently as well but that's no my cup of tea)

I finally understand why some people hang on to their hardware.

And I'm a big software fan, often preferring the SW alternative unless the HW sounds really good.( like a SID box)  The Gssl is just instant gratification. 8) 

I'm probably going to name mine "Make sound awesome!" ;D

(Btw, I'm using THAT2180LB VCA's)

//Peter