Ross Compressor - User Manual

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Summary

Compressor

Controls

Controls volume, compression/sustain, and mode switching (Vintage/Bright) for the pedal.

Jacks

1/4" input/output jacks and 9V DC power jack (Negative Center, 37mA).

Summary

Compressor

Controls

Controls volume, compression/sustain, and mode switching (Vintage/Bright) for the pedal.

Jacks

1/4" input/output jacks and 9V DC power jack (Negative Center, 37mA).

The ROSS Compressor is an OTA-based, vintage-style guitar pedal designed to provide compression and sustain effects. It is a faithful reproduction of the "Era 2" Gray Box ROSS Compressor circuit, widely regarded as a legendary compressor.

Function Description:

The primary function of the ROSS Compressor is to compress the dynamic range of a guitar signal and add sustain. This helps to even out the volume of notes, making quiet notes louder and loud notes quieter, resulting in a more consistent and sustained sound. The pedal offers two distinct modes: Vintage and Bright. The Vintage mode provides the classic compression sound associated with the original ROSS Compressor. The Bright mode is designed to enhance clarity, helping the guitar cut through a mix, particularly useful with darker pickups or amplifiers.

Important Technical Specifications:

Power: The pedal requires standard 9V DC Negative Center power.
Current Consumption: It consumes 37mA of current.
Jacks: It features 1/4" input and output jacks for connecting to a guitar and amplifier, and a power jack for the DC power supply.
Circuit Type: OTA-based (Operational Transconductance Amplifier) for its compression circuit.

Usage Features:

The ROSS Compressor offers intuitive controls for shaping your sound:

Level Control: This knob adjusts the overall output volume of the pedal. Turning it to the right increases the volume (louder), while turning it to the left decreases it (quieter).
Sustain Control: This knob dictates the amount of compression and sustain applied to the signal. Turning it to the right increases the compression and sustain, resulting in a more compressed and prolonged sound. Turning it to the left reduces the compression and sustain.
Mode Switch (Side Switch): This toggle switch allows users to select between two distinct compression modes:
- Vintage Mode: Delivers the classic, smooth compression characteristic of the original ROSS Compressor.
- Bright Mode: Provides additional clarity and presence, helping the guitar's tone stand out in a band mix, especially beneficial for guitars with humbuckers or darker-sounding amplifiers.
Footswitch: The pedal is activated via a soft-touch bypass footswitch. This ensures a smooth transition between the engaged (effect on) and bypassed (effect off) states, minimizing any audible clicks or pops.
Status LED: An integrated LED indicates whether the circuit is active (effect on) or bypassed (effect off), providing clear visual feedback to the user.

Maintenance Features:

Warranty: ROSS guitar pedals, including the Compressor, come with a one (1) year warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty covers defects in material and workmanship under normal use.
Warranty Limitations: The warranty is limited to the original purchaser and is not transferable. It does not cover loss/theft, damage caused by misuse, modification, abuse, accident, natural disaster, or unauthorized repair.
Service and Warranty Details: For comprehensive warranty details and information regarding service, users are directed to visit RossElectronics.com.
Construction: The pedals are electronically sound effects, precision engineered, hand assembled, and individually tested to assure maximum performance and reliability. This meticulous manufacturing process aims to minimize the need for maintenance and ensure a durable product.

In summary, the ROSS Compressor is a high-quality, vintage-inspired guitar pedal designed for musicians seeking classic compression and sustain with modern reliability and versatility, offering both traditional and enhanced clarity modes.