Donner Ultimate Comp - User Manual

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The Ultimate Comp is a 100% analog

compressor pedal, representing you a

warm, studio-like optical compression

sound that you can hardly found on

other types of compressor pedals.

Introduction

Overview

Owner’s Manual

Precautions

AC adapter. Use of an adapter other

than that speciﬁed could damage the

unit or cause malfunction and pose a

safety hazard.

Always connect the AC adapter to an

AC outlet that supplies the rated voltage

required by the adapter.

Disconnect the AC adapter from the AC

outlet when during lightning storms or

not using the unit for an extended

period.

Connections

Always turn off the power before

connecting or disconnecting. Make sure

to disconnect all cables and AC adapter

before moving the unit. This will help

prevent malfunction and damages.

Environment Considerations

Avoid using the unit in any of the

following conditions that could cause

malfunction:

●Extremely hot or cold places

●Under direct sunlight

●Magnetic ﬁelds

●Near heaters and other heat sources

●Sandy or dusty places

●Places that are extremely humid or

exposed to splashing water

●Places with lots of vibrations

Electrical Interference

Devices that are very susceptible to

interference or that emits powerful

electromagnetic waves (e.g. radios and

TVs) should not be placed near this unit,

as interference could occur.

Electromagnetic interference could

cause malfunction and could corrupt or

destroy data.

Always operate this unit at a suitable

distance from these devices.

Handling

Do not apply excessive force to the

switches and other controls, exposing

the unit to strong impacts, which could

cause it to break.

Do not put foreign objects or liquids into

the unit.

Never open the case or attempt to

modify the product in any way since this

can result in damage to the unit.

Clean only with a soft, dry cloth.

●Inspired By Classics And More

The Ultimate Comp is inspired by the

expensive studio rack-mount optical

compressor/limiter units, representing

you the iconic smooth, warm

compression sound.

●Easy Controls, Wide Flexibilities

The Ultimate Comp features an easy-to-

use three-knob tone control: COMP

(compression intensity), TONE

(brightness) and LEVEL (output volume)

for using in different scenarios. Each

knob gives you a wide control range.

●2-way Tone Switch

The Ultimate Comp offers a the 2-way

selector for choosing from two sound

READ CAREFULLY BEFORE

PROCEEDING

Please keep this manual in a convenient

place for future reference.

Power Supply

Always use a DC 9V center negative

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Summary

Precautions

Power Supply

Use a DC 9V center negative adapter; improper use can damage the unit or cause hazards.

Connections

Turn off power before connecting/disconnecting cables and adapter to prevent malfunction and damage.

Environment Considerations

Avoid extreme hot/cold, direct sun, magnetic fields, heat sources, humidity, and vibrations.

Electrical Interference

Keep unit away from strong electromagnetic wave sources to prevent interference and malfunction.

Handling

Avoid excessive force, impacts, foreign objects, and opening the case; clean with a soft cloth.

Overview

Inspired By Classics And More

Captures the iconic smooth, warm compression sound of expensive studio rack-mount units.

Easy Controls, Wide Flexibilities

Features three-knob tone control (COMP, TONE, LEVEL) for wide control range.

2-way Tone Switch

Offers a 2-way selector for choosing between two distinct sound types.

Connections & Controls

DC 9 V Jack

For power supply, use a 9-volt DC regulated adapter, 500mA, center negative.

LEVEL Knob

Controls the output volume of the pedal.

Tone Selector

Switches between NORMAL (neutral) and TREBLE (brighter) compression tones.

TONE Knob

Controls the effect tone, adjusting the brightness.

COMP Knob

Controls the intensity of the compression effect.

Input Jack

1/4" mono audio jack for connecting a guitar.

Output Jack

1/4" mono audio jack for connecting to an amplifier.

Footswitch and LED

Tap to switch the unit on/off; LED indicates when the effect is active.

The Donner Ultimate Comp is a 100% analog compressor pedal designed to deliver a warm, studio-like optical compression sound, reminiscent of expensive studio rack-mount optical compressor/limiter units. It is specifically crafted to provide the iconic smooth and warm compression sound often sought after by musicians.

Function Description:

The pedal's primary function is to compress the audio signal from a guitar, providing a more consistent and sustained sound. It achieves this through an optical compression circuit, which is known for its smooth and natural-sounding compression characteristics. The "Ultimate Comp" aims to emulate the high-quality compression found in professional studio equipment, making it accessible in a compact pedal format.

Important Technical Specifications:

Power Requirement: 9V DC center negative. This is a standard power requirement for many guitar pedals, making it compatible with common pedal power supplies.
Current Consumption: 10mA. This indicates a relatively low power draw, which is beneficial for battery life (if used with a battery adapter, though not explicitly mentioned for this pedal) and for power supply capacity.
Dimensions: 42x93.5x52mm. These compact dimensions make the pedal suitable for pedalboards where space is often limited.
Weight: 225g. This lightweight design, combined with its aluminum-alloy chassis, makes it portable and robust for gigging.
Circuitry: 100% analog circuit. This ensures a classic, organic tone without the digital artifacts sometimes associated with digital effects.
Bypass: True bypass. This feature ensures that when the pedal is disengaged, the guitar's signal passes through without any alteration or degradation, preserving the instrument's natural tone.

Usage Features:

The Ultimate Comp offers user-friendly controls and versatile sound options:

Three-Knob Tone Control:
- COMP Knob: Controls the intensity of compression. This allows users to dial in the desired amount of sustain and dynamic range reduction.
- TONE Knob: Controls the effect tone, ranging from darker to brighter sounds. This helps in shaping the overall character of the compressed signal to fit different musical contexts.
- LEVEL Knob: Controls the output volume. This is crucial for matching the pedal's output to the rest of the signal chain and for boosting or cutting the volume as needed.
2-way Tone Selector Switch: This switch offers two distinct compression modes:
- NORMAL: Provides a neutral optical compressor sound with warmth, ideal for general use and maintaining the natural character of the guitar.
- TREBLE: Provides a brighter optical compressor sound with more bite, suitable for cutting through a mix or for specific tonal preferences.
Input and Output Jacks:
- Input Jack: 1/4" mono audio jack for connecting a guitar.
- Output Jack: 1/4" mono audio jack for connecting to an amplifier.
Footswitch and LED:
- A tap footswitch allows for easy on/off switching of the unit.
- An LED indicator lights up when the effect is engaged, providing clear visual feedback of the pedal's status.
Wide Range Tone Controls: The pedal is designed to be suitable for both vintage and modern players, offering a broad spectrum of tonal possibilities.

Maintenance Features:

The manual provides general guidelines for maintaining the device and ensuring its longevity:

Power Supply: Always use a DC 9V center negative AC adapter. Using an incorrect adapter can damage the unit or pose a safety hazard. It's also recommended to disconnect the adapter during lightning storms or when the unit is not in use for extended periods.
Connections: Always turn off the power before connecting or disconnecting cables. Disconnect all cables and the AC adapter before moving the unit to prevent malfunction and damage.
Environmental Considerations: Avoid using the unit in extreme temperatures (hot or cold), direct sunlight, magnetic fields, near heaters, sandy or dusty places, extremely humid environments, or places with excessive vibrations. These conditions can cause malfunction.
Electrical Interference: Keep the unit away from devices that emit powerful electromagnetic waves (e.g., radios, TVs) to prevent interference, which could cause malfunction or data corruption.
Handling: Do not apply excessive force to switches or controls, expose the unit to strong impacts, or insert foreign objects or liquids.
Modification: Never open the case or attempt to modify the product, as this can lead to damage.
Cleaning: Clean the unit only with a soft, dry cloth.

Construction and Components:

The Ultimate Comp is built with carefully selected components to ensure high sound quality and road performance. It features a solid aluminum-alloy chassis, which contributes to its durability and lightweight nature, making it reliable for touring. The all-metal footswitch further enhances its robust design.