Hi folks!

Next week we will release S-Gear v3.1 including the new SG-S Compressor pedal. The update will be available to customers with a license for v2.9 or later.

I thought it would be nice to post a bit of information ahead of the release. I'm very pleased with the new pedal because it opens up so many new possibilities with S-Gear, I hope everyone feels the same once you get to play with the new pedal!



There is a new factory bank with presets that employ the compressor (details in the next post). A very useful approach is to use the compressor as a clean boost into the amps, this works well with the Wayfarer allowing you to set the Wayfarer input gain at low levels to achieve strong treble boost in the pre-amp.

I've posted a quick-start guide on the support pages. Here are some extracts:

SG-S is a vintage style compressor with input and output controls to balance the amount of compression. A unique shape control mixes two distinct circuits for compressor dynamics. SG-S provides fast attack and release times for a natural sounding compression effect.

Input - Use the input control to adjust the amount of compression. Increasing the input gain will push the signal further into the compression threshold, resulting in more compression. The input gain ranges from -6dB to +30dB.

Output - Compensate the pedal output level with this control. With an output gain range of +/- 12 dB, there is the possibility to apply clean boost to the amplifier input.

Ratio - Adjust the compression ratio from 4:1 to 16:1. Ratio controls the amount of gain reduction applied to signals above the compressor threshold. Ratio settings from 4 to 12 are typical. With a lower input gain setting, higher ratios can be used to limit signal peaks.

Attack - Adjust the compressor attack time from 0 (slower) to 7 (fast), i.e. turning the knob clockwise will yield a faster attack. The faster attack time generally sounds more natural, since you don’t perceive the action of the compressor circuit reducing the gain. Be aware however, that very fast attack times along with fast release can cause unwanted distortion. The measured attack time can range from 5msec to a very fast 50 usec.

Shape – Increase the Shape control setting to give more character to the compressor attack.
The shape control mixes control signals from two different sidechain circuits, one (clockwise) offering a more characterful attack characteristic and variable release, the other (counter-clockwise) a more natural response with a programme dependent auto release.

Release – Adjust the release time (for the second sidechain circuit). The Release time is the time it takes for the compressor gain to return to normal once the signal falls below threshold. Range from 600 msec down to 30 msec.

Cheers,
Mike

SG-S Compressor Factory Bank

000: Bottles
The classic American bright clean, which can sound be a bit like bottles clinking together. A strong treble lift is achieved by setting the Wayfarer input gain low and using the compressor output level to boost the amplifier input.

001: Studio Clean
002: Studio Drive
A softer, clean sound with very smooth dynamics. Studio Drive pushes the pre-amp and power-amp harder, pushing the Wayfarer clean channel into a classic American overdrive.

003: Sparkling Clean
004: Sparkling Air
A super-bright clean sound with ambience. Perfect for padding into a pop song (think MJ’s Human Nature). The ‘Air’ variant adds even more ambience. Turn on the delay for added thickness.

005: Bottles Drive I
006: Bottles Drive II
These two presets take ‘Bottles’ as a base and then add the Drive thru for overdrive. I & II swap the position of the drive pedal with some additional compensations. Makes for two very interesting clean/drive configurations.

007: Dual Comp Gritty Rhythm
A big and ambient rhythm sound using a two-compressor setup. The second compressor is adding just a little additional compression, but also provides a clean boost into the Duke.

008: Core Plexi I
009: Core Plexi II
Two examples of using the SG-S to give additional boost and sustain for that maxed-out Plexi sound. I think this gets the Stealer a bit closer to the brown sound. Some post EQ will no doubt help too.

010: Wayfarer Comp Dark
011: Wayfarer Comp Bright
Two variations of boosting the Wayfarer with SG-S.

012: intimate
013: snappy
014: fast vintage
015: medium vintage
016: vintage r4
017: strummed guitar
018: natural
019: shaped
020: punch sustain
021: amp primer
022: dual compressors
The last 11 factory presets show the SG-S built-in device presets with a DI guitar sound (no amplifier) and some basic reverb. These presets demonstrate the range of compression effects available. Listening with the DI’d signal through good monitors or headphones will allow you to hear (and feel) the compression effect in detail.

Wow! You have been busy. I can't wait to try it. Thanks a lot.

Gosh, it looks a little rough around the edges for a new pedal.

Great news and great timing - I'm starting a new project next week.

Thanks Mike!

This is some exciting stuff. And it reinforces one of the reasons why S-Gear excels. Rather than trying to "model" or "profile" known gear like most everyone else, you are distilling the essence of existing classic gear and then improving on that. I can't wait to take it for a spin. And can't wait to try the dual compression with some slide guitar!

I just took some time to play with the new presets incorporating the SGS compressor. Only one word. WOW!!
A PRO LEVEL COMPRESSOR...
Really nice addition to an already awesome software.

Boahhh, I'm even more in love with this awesome software and can't stop experimenting and playing.
Fantastic work, thanks Mike.

Totally impressed! Effects sound much more alive now. Thanks, Mike! Your a wizard.

As mentioned in the compressor overview: "the last 11 factory presets show the SG-S built-in device presets with a DI guitar sound (no amplifier) and some basic reverb... Listening with the DI’d signal through good monitors or headphones will allow you to hear (and feel) the compression effect in detail. "

Use these to figure out how the compressor variables effect the tone, and to get familiar with the controls, then you can turn the amp on at the bottom I/O strip if you want...

Great upgrade! Thanks Mike!

Hi Mike,

In the manual you mention the new compressor presets included in the 3.1 upgrade (presets 8 and 9) could possibly use some post-EQ to approximate the Brown Sound. Can you possibly make some suggestions or is this too general a question...too many variables at play, in other words?

Thanks!!!

deckard1 wrote:

Hi Mike,

In the manual you mention the new compressor presets included in the 3.1 upgrade (presets 8 and 9) could possibly use some post-EQ to approximate the Brown Sound. Can you possibly make some suggestions or is this too general a question...too many variables at play, in other words?

Thanks!!!

The presets aim for the raw plexi sound, as what might have been recorded in a studio session, the engineer would then apply EQ appropriate to the track and the mix.

I had to look up "brown sound." Thought it was the noise I make after a full plate of kraut, sausage, and beans. But I was wrong. This is an interesting article:

What is the brown sound?