More than a Compressor
The 50th anniversary Model 2830*Au Omnipressor® is a professional-quality dynamic modifier, combining the functions of an analog compressor, expander, noise gate, and limiter in one convenient package. Its dynamic reversal feature makes high-level input signals lower than corresponding low-level inputs. Musically, this reverses the attack-decay envelope of plucked strings, drums, and similar instruments and gives the effect of “talking backward” when applied to a voice signal.
The new 50th anniversary hardware reissue incorporates professional Lundahl transformers on both input and output, a switchable active-balanced side-chain, stereo and master linking capability and a mix control for parallel compression applications. Balanced/unbalanced XLR and TRS options are provided throughout.
Features
- Switchable External Side-chain — fully integrated version of the original
- Mix/Blend Control — allows for built-in parallel compression
- Configurable Stereo/Master Linking — useful for bus compression and multi-channel dynamics processing
- Dynamics Processing — capable of creating otherworldly sounds
- Dynamic Reversal — the first of its kind, soft signals come out loud and loud signals come out quiet, simulating tape reversal, a near unique attribute of this versatile compressor
- Function Control — sets a ratio over a continuous range allowing extreme expansion, to infinite compression, and is even able to push further into dynamic reversal
- Variable Control of attack and release time
- Variable Control of maximum gain and maximum attenuation
- Gating — amplitudes of signals that fall below a set threshold are ‘squooshed’
- Expansion — widen a signal’s dynamic range, louder gets louder, softer gets softer
- Compression offers variable control of compression ratio
- Infinite Compression — if you want everything to come out at the same level, this is the feature for you
- Limiting — a fast, versatile limiter, useful for maintaining a loud sound
- Intuitive Interface — clean and easy to operate
Original Data Sheet from 1974 illustrating some of the “unusual” capabilities of the Omnipressor.
Specifications
Line Input
Line Output
Transformer-coupled, balanced XLR and TRS 1/4
Transformer-coupled, balanced XLR and TRS 1/4
Side-chain Input
Side-chain Output
Active balanced XLR and TRS 1/4
Active balanced XLR and TRS 1/4
Link Input
Link Output
Control voltage, TS 1/4
Control voltage, TS 1/4
Input/Output Levels
Gain Range
Input Impedance
Output Impedance
Balanced or unbalanced, +20dB max
-30dB to +30dB
25 kOhms, transformer-coupled
80 Ohms, transformer-coupled
