DSM & Humboldt's ClearComp 1078 Dynamic Threshold Compressor is Uniquely Engineered to Preserve Playing Dynamics

There’s no shortage of great studio style compressors out there - in all shapes and sizes. Parallel Compressors in particular have a great way of preserving playing dynamics via the parallel dry signal path, while DSM & Humboldt have designed a totally new and original Compressor circuit / topology - making clever use of envelope sensitivity and Dynamic Threshold to preserve playing dynamics more faithfully and in an entirely new way.

Controls - Level, Compression (Input Gain), Envelope Level Gauge, Blend : Dry > Wet, Threshold : Lo / Hi / Mid, Ratio : 2:1 > 5:1 > 20:1. Release : 30ms > 300ms 3sec, Atack : 5ms > 10ms > 100ms.

Most of the dials / parameters here are pretty standard notation - and you should recognise those functions. While we have quite a different style of LED gauge here - based on the Envelope Level rather than more typical Gain Reduction Level, and we have a fairly unique 3-way Threshold switch that sets the starting point of the Dynamic Threshold - either Hi, Mid or Low - depending on the output level of your instrument. Select Hi for High Output Pickups, Mid for Regular Pickups, and Lo for Low Output Pickups.

DSM & Humboldt describe the core of their pedal as follows :

"The ClearComp is a super transparent compressor with a unique Dynamic Threshold (DT) topology engineered and developed by DSM & Humboldt. Most compressors dynamically reduce the gain progressively as the level rises above the threshold. While on the ClearComp the DT topology dynamically modifies the threshold with a fixed gain reduction, achieving a natural and transparent compression effect with a lower noise floor, less coloring and higher dynamic range. A multicolor 5-stage LED bargraph is featured to visualize the resulting envelope level in real time."

So in essence a whole new compression circuit with next to no noise floor, optimal clarity and dynamics preservation. We’re really spoilt for choice currently with so many favourite compressors already out there - and where this is an extremely compelling approach and it sounds amazing.

I have to really ponder where this stands versus the JA Bloom, CTC Phi Golden Ratio 2, Becos CompIQ Stella and the Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe which are some of the key existing giants of the genre. I dare say this ClearComp 1078 is right up there with the best of them. Funk Licks sound particularly good through this circuit - and it has an amazing snap to it perfect for that style of playing.

I personally am not currently on the hunt for another compressor - while this would definitely be on the list of top options. I’m actually very surprised that the DSM & Humboldt Silver Linings Preamp / Overdrive / Distortion hasn’t had the worldwide success it so deserves. I sincerely hope people give that more of a go - same goes for this ClearComp! These pedals are genuinely innovative and pioneering devices and deserve to do really well - while compression tends to be somewhat dominated still by just a handful of big players.

I really like how this sounds - and it most definitely seems to achieve what it was set out to do - provide that juicy squeeze and sustain - while delivering greater articulation, clarity and dynamics along the way.

It’s already at Andertons and Sweetwater - and should be coming to Thomann by the Autumn - where it’s not quite yet appearing on the catalogue - while the other DSM & Humboldt pedals are.

What say you - are you tempted by the ClearComp’s new innovative method of compression?

Mini Specs :

• 7 Controls
• Power Supply : 9V - 18V DC [-], 100mA Current Draw
• Dimensions : 120mm (L) x 57mm (H) x 65mm (W)
• Weight : 380gm
• MAPP / RRP : $299 / £249