MasteringWorks comp.two version2 Tube Compressor Instruction Manual

MasteringWorks comp.two version2 Tube Compressor

Safety Review

WARNING: High Voltage – Risk of electric shock

Do not open chassis.
Ensure that the correct voltage (115V/230V) is selected before connecting the comp.two to the main power supply.
If the device is damaged or does not work as expected, refer to qualified service staff only.
Never use damaged power chords.
Replace fuse with the same type and value : T 1 A (115V); T 500 mA (230V) Ensure that the comp.two is connected via a grounded connection.
Keep away from moisture and other liquids.
Do not use the comp.two close to water or in wet surroundings.

CAUTION: Temperature – Chassis may become hot during operation
Do not install any heat sources (for instance radiators or stoves) close to the device.
Avoid direct solar irradiation.
Do not block the circulation vents. Warm air must exhaust.
Leave enough free rack spaces around the compressor to avoid overheating.
Do not install power amps near the device.

WARNING: Incorrect installation – Connection may cause damage
Do not connect power amp outputs to the comp. two.
Install the device only on flat surfaces or mount it properly into an adequate rack.

WARNING: Condensed water (liquid) may cause damage
Condensation inside the device may occur, when you move the device from a cold place to a warm room. To avoid damaging the comp.two, always wait until the device has reached room temperature before switching it on.

WARNING: High sound volume may harm the sense of hearing
This device produces a maximum amplification of 32 dB. Set input and output controls on zero position before monitoring the sound via headphones or loudspeakers. Gradually increase the volume levels for input and output.

HINT: Delayed operation
The comp.two uses vacuum tubes, therefore the device will be on standby for several seconds after switching it on.

Preface

Congratulations on your rockruepel comp.two (version2)!
You now own a versatile vari-µ-compressor. The comp. two is designed for mastering, mixing, and recording and offers a pristine and highly transparent sound due to its exclusive audiophile approach.
After years of development and searching for optimal sound and design, I have developed the comp. two resulting in one of the best sounding modern vari-µ-compressor. This stereo/dual-mono-compressor is optimized for daily professional use. The rockruepel comp. two would not be what it is today, without feedback and advice from colleagues and friends.
The function of the comp. two is based upon the optimized vari-µ-design and never compromising on high-end components and a minimalistic approach. The deciding factor in the design was always my ears.
The comp. two is built on fully balanced tube circuitry. The main audio path consists of SOWTER input- and output transformers (SOWTER), two high-end coupling capacitors, and input- and output tubes (NOS 6N3 and 6CG7).
The „true“ dual mono-design has separate power supplies for every channel. The potentiometers are encapsulated, quality products from ALPS. The VU meters can be calibrated with a trim-pot hidden behind small holes in the rugged front plate. All switches use relays or directly determine control voltage. The two bypass switches separate circuitry so that only input directly connects with the output (true bypass). An IC is used to regulate the VU-Meter. Apart from that circuitry, the comp. two consist of discrete components and is hand-wired in Germany. In addition to the essential controls such as input, output, threshold, attack and release, the comp. two provides a side chain with an integrated four-stage filter. (Flat, 50, 74, 110 and 160 Hz). This filter takes out high-energy bass frequency
only the best that could otherwise affect the compressor’s behavior. The special “amp-only” -mode uses only the design Some may say: “Tube compressors sound good but they are too slow. I prefer VCA-compressors because of their speed“. The comp.two accomplishes both, with an attack up to 600 µs it is extremely fast but it also has a soft and really musical knee compression for your sound processing.
Thanks for buying the rockruepel comp.two.
Oliver Gregor & Stefan Heger

only the best

• audiophile, full-balanced circuitry design
• aluminum chassis with rugged front plate (6 mm)
• SOWTER-transformers
• ALPS-potentiometers
• .VU-meter
• output-tube: 6CG7
• input-tube: NOS 6N3
• high-end coupling capacitors amp-only-mode
• true hard bypass
• true dual-mono with a separate power supply
• side chain-control (54, 74, 110, 160Hz)
• THD+N: -68 dB
• attack-time: 600 us – 70 ms
• release-time: 0,2 ms – 4s

Included in box

• rockruepel comp.two
• IEC power plug
• owner’s manual

About this manual

In order to find out all the possibilities and information on the compressor, it is recommended to read this owner’s manual from top to bottom. If you are looking for some direct information you will find hints about „handling & controls“ on page 6 and notes about the circuit points, “input and outputs” on page 8. Perhaps you are only interested in the technical specs on page 10 or the attack- and release-time table also on page 10. You will surely get some useful information, a quick overview and you will avoid operational errors with the rockruepel comp.two if you take the time to read this
manual.
If you are an experienced engineer or compressor-geek and tired of reading another boring owner’s manual, you can use the fast way. The „repeal“-boxes in every chapter deliver the most important information, special features or parameters in compact phrases. This ultra-fast overview gets you working with your comp.two within a few minutes.

the fast way

• • „repel-boxes“ for an ultra-fast overview
•  „Handling & controls“ (page 6)
• „In and outputs“ (page 8)
• „Tech specs (page 10)

Handling & controls

1. Input:
   The input stage amplification is between nonstepped values of 0 (-∞ dB) and 10 (+16 dB). The more input gain you choose, the more harmonic distortion is added to the signal. The tube stage provides differences from a pure, clean to distorted and saturated sound.

2. Output:
   Every compression causes a loss of volume. The output stage helps to compensate the gain reduction with a 26dB gain reserve. The interaction of the input and output stage offers sound variations depending on how much the input or output tube is driven to saturation or even distortion (input stage).
   In amp-only mode, the compressor section is skipped completely but the signal still passes through the circuitry. You can design your sound by using the input and output controls. The spectrum of coloration without compression ranges from-natural clean to aggressive distortion.

3. Threshold:
   If the input level exceeds the adjusted threshold, the compression will start immediately. The threshold control offers nonstepped values between 0 and 10.

4. Attack:
   The rotary control determines in ten steps the attack time of the compressor. Position 1 is marked with the character ‚F‘ for fast transient response, and position 10 uses the character ‚S‘ for slow operation.

5. Release:
   This rotary switch is divided in ten steps to control the release time. The values also range between ‚F‘(ast) and ‚S‘(low).

6. Sidechain Control/Amp Only
   The side chain controls define frequencies of the high pass filter, which affect the control signal only. As a result high-energy bass frequencies from the side chain signal will not affect the operation of the compressor. There are four frequencies: 54, 74, 110 and 160 Hz and the flat position, which switches the filter off.
   As mentioned previously, the amp only-mode leaves only input and output controls operational. The signal still passes through the audio path (transformer, tubes, capacitors) but skips the compressor section.

7. Meter 0:
   The VU meters are equipped with trim pots, accessible through small holes in the front plate. Use a suitable screwdriver to set the zero point for calibration.

8.  When the unit is turned off check the location of the needle, if not on zero use the calibration screw on the meter to adjust.

9. Turn unit on and wait 10min. Now use the Meter 0 trim pot and set needle to 0.

10. Bypass:
    The comp. two has one “hard bypass” switch per channel. If activated, the complete circuitry including tubes, transformers and capacitors are excluded and the input is directly connected to the output. In bypass mode, you hear the unprocessed original signal for A/B-comparison.

11. Dual Mono/Link On:
    The link-on-mode is helpful for stereo processing. When this mode is activated
    the channel with higher level determines the compression for both channels. For perfect tonal balance, it is important that threshold- attack- and release values are identical. To adjust volume differences between the channels, use input and output controls.
    The dual mono-mode offers two precise separated channels with an individual power supply (“real” dual mono). Therefore comp.two has the ability to process two mono-signals separately.

12. VU-Meter
    The backlit VU-meters display gain reduction. The logarithmic scale shows values between 0 and -20 dB. 1-dB-steps are marked up to a gain reduction of 4 dB. This is the critical range for gain reduction.

ultra-fast, musical and precise

• side chain-filter (54, 74, 110, 160 Hertz)
•  32 dB of amplification without compression
• high-speed-control-process (0,6 ms), release (200,ms)
•  hardwire-bypass
• “real” dual mono with a separate power supply
• link-on-mode (channel with higher-level dictates compressions process)
•  for perfect channel balance, threshold-, attack- and release values have to be equal
• trim pots for calibration the VU-meters
• logarithmic scale with zoom-in-effect up to 4 dB

In and Outputs (connections)

MasteringWorks-comp.two-version2-Tube- Compressor-2

1. Input 1 & 2:
   The XLR-inputs are transformer-balanced (SOWTER) and designed for line-level signals.

2. Output 1 & 2:
   The line-level outputs are transformer-balanced (SOWTER). Remember, that comp. two has an amplification reserve of +26 dB to avoid overloading when other devices are connected.

3. Main plug and fuse :
   The comp.two uses a standard main plug (included). In case of blown fuse, replace it with identical components. Pay attention to correct specifications. Open the fuse housing by using a small screwdriver and replace the fuse carefully.
   @ 115V: time lag/slow-blow, 1 A
   @ 230V: time lag/slow-blow, 500 mA

exquisite connection

• high-end SOWER transformers for in- and outputs
• professional XLR-connectors with locking mechanism

Tech Specs

Frequency Response
4 0Hz – 15 kHz: ± 0,70 dB
20Hz – 20 kHz: ± 1,25 dB
Amplification: 26dB
Max Output Level ( 40Hz kges -40dB ): +24dBu
Supply Voltage: 115/230V AC
Power Consumption : 40W

Dimensions B/H/T: 483 mm (19“) 132,5 mm (3HE) :295mm
Weight: 8,7 kg

Input Data:
Input
Impedance over frequency range
Common-Mode Rejection Ration (CMMR) @ 15kHz
balanced, floating ⪴ 19kOhm
⪴ 40dB

Output Data:
Output:
Impedance over frequency range
Common-Mode Rejection Ration (CMMR) @ 15kHz
balanced, floating ⪴ 600Ohm
⪴ 35dB

THD kges ( +4 dBu):

Signal-to-noise ratio
(working level: + 4dBu, input and output conrol: 5) pGer ⪴ -82 dBqs ( CCIR 486 )
pFr ⪴ -86 dBq ( Bandwidth 10Hz – 30 kHz )

Warranty

2-year warranty for registered units:
http://www.masteringworks.de/en/contact.html

Service and contact information
MasteringWorks GmbH Raderbergerstr.175
50968 Köln
Germany
Email : info @masteringworks.com
Telefon : + 49 2236 393731

About rockruepel and Mastering Works:

Rockruepel launched with the successful tube compressor series consisting of comp. one and its successor, the comp. two. These boutique compressors are insiders’ secret tools for recording, mixing and mastering and are now among engineers such as Russell Elevado, Luca Pretolesi, Max Dingel, Paul Stacey, and Fab Dupont. The amazing sound and build quality that the users of comp. one and comp. two already know and love is now in a completely new audio tool available, the limit. one. The user can balance between loudness and dynamics in a new previously unknown way.

Mastering Works GmbH is the European distributor of selected high-end audio solutions. CEO Stefan Heger introduced in 2004 the Dangerous 2 Bus to different studios and engineers and founded mastering Works GmbH, a company with an exquisite product portfolio and the exceptionally close contacts with end-users. Besides the brand’s Dangerous Music, Sterling Modular, rockruepel, and Guzauski Swist it also includes training and individual studio solutions.

References

• Contact - MasteringWorks - High-End Audio Gear

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