Just picked up the infamous Aphex Compellor...

[PoorGlory]

Not the newer model, the 320 or 320A, but the old 300 "AX" model. I only paid $140 on ebay, so I figured what the hell. At first, I couldn't exactly figure out what the hell was going on with it, as the gain structure was really strange. So I did a little research (the service manual and user manual are not available any longer on the Aphex website) and I discovered that there a 4 jumpers inside the unit that select the gain of the inputs and outputs ( one jumper for each channels input and output). In order to get at these, you have to remove the top cover, the front panel, unscrew the hex nuts on the control pots, and pop up the top two PCBs. The jumpers are located at about 2 and 8 o'clock on each side of the main board. Mine were all originally set for +8 db!! After resetting them appropriately, I closed it back up and hoped for the best.

It did the trick. This unit rocks, hard. It is exactly the stereo buss "glue" compressor I've been looking for. You can get the newer 320A's on ebay for like $350, but if you're a cheap ass like me, don't hesitate to get the 300 "AX" model. I have a feeling these go for pretty cheap because some people don't know about the internal jumper situation and just figure the Compellor isn't doing what they want it to. It really is exactly as other people describe it... its hard to hear it working, but it DEFINATELY is. Very subtle and transparent but makes a world of differnce.

Sorry, I'm just excited about my newest purchase and wanted to share with the community.

[Shandy]

I have a 320A, and totally love it... just like you said, it's hard to hear it working, but if you look at your stereo buss meters, you can almost get them to freeze. Not quite what I would look for to use as a "glue," but only because it's so transparent that it doesn't color anything...

[TanTan]

i'm curious to hear this thing, a 350$ mastering compressor ? i find it so hard to believe i have to buy one and check it out