FCS P3S Stereo rackmount compressor

[bleen]

Originally Posted by RogerFoote

George

There is a transformer bypass switch if you do not want the luscious sound of the Carnhills.

I've never even tried my P3S without the transformers. They sound too good to turn off!

[RogerFoote]

Hi Don

That's been my experience too, and that's why we have the transformers as standard equipment. Personally, I love the sound of the Carnhills.

I even built a preamp/compressor box for my bass rig that uses them. The pre is a typical API/2520 design with Carnhill on the output and the compressor section is a P3500 card driving one as well....

Then the signal goes to 2- Pultec style EQs with Carnhills on inputs and outputs. Those EQs use 2520s for makeup amps.

So, yeah, I like 'em a lot!thumbsup

[Roc Mixwell]

---------

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

And the output IRON sounds amazing.

Originally Posted by Roger

Especially with the output transformers!

Originally Posted by bleen

I can't see myself ever switching the Carnhills out of the circuit because they just sound SO good

Originally Posted by Roger

Ditto those Carnhills. Those are some great sounding transformers!

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

you can bypass them to use the electronically balanced output stage. Not that you'd even want to do that, but you can.

Originally Posted by Roger

The Carnhill transformers add some very nice heft to bass and low mids.

Originally Posted by PaulyD

Then there's that sound...Superb.

Originally Posted by rollmottle

The Carnhills definitely add major league heft to anything through it. They are switchable, but I think it would be silly to switch them out!

Originally Posted by bleen

I've never even tried my P3S without the transformers. They sound too good to turn off!

[George Necola]

no problem with Carnhills.. I just try to keep my output chain a bit on the cleaner side..

vintage design is also with carnhills and it works well, if you are after so much color.. love it.

looking for something more on the clean side.

cheers & all the best with your product
George

Originally Posted by RogerFoote

Hi Don

That's been my experience too, and that's why we have the transformers as standard equipment. Personally, I love the sound of the Carnhills.

I even built a preamp/compressor box for my bass rig that uses them. The pre is a typical API/2520 design with Carnhill on the output and the compressor section is a P3500 card driving one as well....

Then the signal goes to 2- Pultec style EQs with Carnhills on inputs and outputs. Those EQs use 2520s for makeup amps.

So, yeah, I like 'em a lot!thumbsup

[jamwerks]

Originally Posted by George Necola

looking for something more on the clean side.

Don't forget that they're switchable.

[tapehiss]

i'm not speaking of anyone specific.... and i really am interested in this compressor...

but i've seen it more than a few times on this forum.......

a new product will come out, usually with a company that cares enough to respond back to inquiries..... people pretend like their interested... act like they're fishing for a new product, or wanting the unit.... "looks interesting" they'll say.....

- and then, once they realize that people have noticed their interest... they'll start nit-picking.... "why did you design it this way?" or "why didn't you design it exactly like i want it to be?" or "why don't you have it where i live, even though i'm not actually gonna buy it?"..... like they're seeking some response from the inventor...making them feel like they made a mistake with their wonderful design......

and then... they'll get off with basically saying "well, its not what i want right now, but nice job anyway" in a snide tone as if to say "you almost had my business, but didn't quite make the cut...."

it's really funny, almost like they're just trying to get attention.....

and also, i'm not talking about anyone in this thread, because everyone here seems like good people, but more just as a "general observation"..

-and, i can't wait to get me this comp... lookin' like it could work some magic on the buss!!!!!!!!

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by tapehiss

a new product will come out, usually with a company that cares enough to respond back to inquiries..... people pretend like their interested... act like they're fishing for a new product, or wanting the unit.... "looks interesting" they'll say.....

- and then, once they realize that people have noticed their interest... they'll start nit-picking.... "why did you design it this way?" or "why didn't you design it exactly like i want it to be?" or "why don't you have it where i live, even though i'm not actually gonna buy it?"..... like they're seeking some response from the inventor...making them feel like they made a mistake with their wonderful design......

and then... they'll get off with basically saying "well, its not what i want right now, but nice job anyway" in a snide tone as if to say "you almost had my business, but didn't quite make the cut...."

it's really funny, almost like they're just trying to get attention.....

and also, i'm not talking about anyone in this thread, because everyone here seems like good people, but more just as a "general observation"..

thumbsup funny observation.

[George Necola]

lovely if you attack someone and at the same time talk yourself out of it.

I do not understand the amount of aggression in thsi thread. it's about a compressor not the new universal cancer-medicine. I think this comp is a good new product, and has its market place. I just wanted to know more about it, and why certain design decisions were made.

Roger foote was able to respond like a gentleman. thank you Roger.

maybe you should post that info on the mercenary-website so people do not ask the same "bullshit" again and again.

cheers
G

Originally Posted by tapehiss

i'm not speaking of anyone specific.... and i really am interested in this compressor...

but i've seen it more than a few times on this forum.......

a new product will come out, usually with a company that cares enough to respond back to inquiries..... people pretend like their interested... act like they're fishing for a new product, or wanting the unit.... "looks interesting" they'll say.....

- and then, once they realize that people have noticed their interest... they'll start nit-picking.... "why did you design it this way?" or "why didn't you design it exactly like i want it to be?" or "why don't you have it where i live, even though i'm not actually gonna buy it?"..... like they're seeking some response from the inventor...making them feel like they made a mistake with their wonderful design......

and then... they'll get off with basically saying "well, its not what i want right now, but nice job anyway" in a snide tone as if to say "you almost had my business, but didn't quite make the cut...."

it's really funny, almost like they're just trying to get attention.....

and also, i'm not talking about anyone in this thread, because everyone here seems like good people, but more just as a "general observation"..

-and, i can't wait to get me this comp... lookin' like it could work some magic on the buss!!!!!!!!

[Roc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by George Necola

maybe you should post that info on the mercenary-website so people do not ask the same "bullshit" again and again.

cheers
G

Dude, we LOVE QUESTIONS!!!!!!!!!

[RogerFoote]

George

I hadn't mentioned it WRT this compressor, but I did a lot of research using Lundahl LL7902 transformers. I included them as an option in my P3 compressor that I didn a short run of. I made custom PC boards for them.

Those were dead clean. Except for some really nice phase alignment in the high frequencies you were hard pressed to hear a difference between electronic outputs and transformer coupled.

For engineers that want a very pure frequency response but still have the benefits of transformer coupled connections, the LL7902 seems like the ticket.

Only drawback is price.... Those are some expensive transformers.

Best
Roger Foote
FCS

[RogerFoote]

Just wanted to add that I enjoy all the posts here!
Keep the questions, comments and reactions coming. I am not in the least worried about the future of my products or my design decisions.

Best to you all, and thanks for the posts!
Roger

[PaulyD]

fwiw, I've used the P3S with and without the transformers engaged and it sounds great either way.

Without the transformers, the P3S gives you more of a what-goes-in-is-what-comes-out kind of sound, just with whatever gain reduction you dialed in. Naturally, the transformers impart some color and harmonic emphasis, but in a very euphonic way.

btw, Roger, any chance you could post the user guide in PDF format?

Cheers,

Paul

[RogerFoote]

Hi Paul

Thanks for the feedback!

I don't have a pdf of the docs at this point, but I will look into it ASAP.
In the mean time, if anyone needs docs, PM me with your email address and I will send them right out (text and GIFs)

Best regards
Roger Foote
FCS

[emrr]

Foote Control Systems P3S Stereo Compressor

You can also buy a transformerless version as well if you really want one, just let us know.

or

Foote Control Systems P3500 / P3500S Stereo Pair

if you like 500 series; even cheaper and no transformers there.

All it takes is some searching, and some reading.

[Invisible T]

Originally Posted by RogerFoote

Hi Paul

Thanks for the feedback!

I don't have a pdf of the docs at this point, but I will look into it ASAP.
In the mean time, if anyone needs docs, PM me with your email address and I will send them right out (text and GIFs)

Best regards
Roger Foote
FCS

Hi Roger,

I was lucky enough to snatch one of your P3 Customs! The Big brother to the P3S. I wouldn't mind a copy of the PDF too, if it would apply?


Thanks!

[RogerFoote]

Hi Low end!

I will post it here once I get a chance.

Best regards
Roger Foote
FCS

[RogerFoote]

Finally got a chance to look at creating a pdf version of the docs for the P3S...

I think I am just going to zip it into an archive to send out.

Raw, the folder is just over 1 mbytes so we don't really save much with pdf.

Best
Roger Foote
FCS

[RogerFoote]

Here is the zipped docs folder.

Thanks
Roger Foote
FCS

[rollmottle]

Thanks Roger! thumbsup

[Invisible T]

Cheers Roger! thumbsup

Edit: Actually Roger I cant seem to open the "P3S_Manual_06.rtf" and it is only 16kb? Is that right?

[RogerFoote]

Hmmm.
Sorry about that.

Did you un-zip the folder to a new location?

The rtf file is only around 16K. Most if not all text editors and word processors can open rtf files, so I'm not sure about that...

Edit:
Just unzipped the folder and I was able to open all the files. The rtf file opened on MS word pad just fine.

Maybe you need to use "open as" and select rtf as a file type?

Let me know if this is still a problem and I will add a txt version to the zip folder if rtf is a problem.

Best
Roger Foote
FCS

[Invisible T]

Hi Roger,

It's ok I just opened it in "Word" on my mac, and then saved it as .rtf and It's fine! Very weird. Anyhow, all good! Thanks again

[RogerFoote]

Cool, thanks for the update!

Got 4 Macs doing DAW, but I didn't try it on those.

Thanks again
Roger Foote
FCS

[PaulyD]

I just wanted to come back to this thread and say thank you, Roger, for posting the documentation electronically, as requested. It's really helpful.

And I am still digging this compressor! It has quickly achieved perma-dig status in my studio.

Cheers,

Paul

[RogerFoote]

Thanks Paul!

[Merge.Eastman]

The p3s is also great at tracking lead vocals using one of its channels. It was hardly noticable at almost 10db of level reduction.

[emrr]

Yep, it's great using it as a 1 channel device. I love it on lead vocals, for that final layer of control.

[Roc Mixwell]

Put it in Feedback mode, and patch the output of channel one into channel two.

[emrr]

There ya go; smart man!

[RogerFoote]

Great idea, Adam!

Thanks
Roger