Because of its natural and touch responsive bloom, the BLOSSOM is ideal for players who typically don’t use compression but want the ‘mastered’ response that optical compression gives a guitarists tone.
Compressor Overview:
As a compressor, the BLOSSOM features an optical limiting circuit that takes its inspiration from compressors designed during the golden age of vacuum tube circuits. Optical compressors as they are called, are known for their transparency and subtlety. While the BLOSSOM can provide a very aggressive response at more extreme compression settings, its real strength lies in its ability to add a gentle sweetening and roundness to the tone as the optical circuit works to polish off any rough edges in the sound.
The frequency response of the compressor section is flat as a board and does not boost or cut any of your highs or lows. Just like a well-designed compressor should, the BLOSSOM alters the dynamics of the guitar signal and not the tone. A good compressor should be felt and not heard!
Clean Blend:
When more subtlety is desired from the compression circuit, we have included a BLEND control that allows the player to blend in their clean, unaffected signal back in with the compressed signal. One of the best features of the Blend control is that it allows the player to dial in a really aggressive compression setting and then blend some of their clean signal back in with it. This produces the effect of giving the note a very natural attack while slowly fading in the sustain that comes from running a high compression setting.
Volume Control:
Acts as a master volume for the BLOSSOM. Changes to the COMP and BLEND knob will typically necessitate a change to the Volume control to keep the overall level the same.
TIP! – When using high levels of compression, keep the VOLUME control at 3:00 or lower to avoid any unwanted clipping in the compressor circuit.
EQ Control:
The BLOSSOM features a very unique EQ circuit that is known as a "tilt" EQ. When the EQ control is set at the 12:00 position, the tone of the BLOSSOM is totally flat. When the EQ control is rotated clockwise, the treble frequencies are increased and the bass frequencies are decreased. Conversely, when the EQ control is rotated counter-clockwise, the treble frequencies are decreased and the bass frequencies are increased. This type of EQ is very effective when trying to adjust your tone to "fit in the mix." You'll that when you adjust the EQ to a brighter setting, not only will your guitars tone stick out more in the mix, but your low end will trim up and add clarity to your tone.
Comp Control:
Turn clockwise for more compression. Balance this with the BLEND and VOLUME control.
Mix Control:
Allows you to blend in your clean uncompressed signal with the compressed signal. Full counter clockwise is full compression. Fully clockwise is full clean signal. TIP! Try running your COMP knob full up and use the BLEND control to adjust the intensity of the compression. Doing this will allow the attack of your note to feel normal while adding sustain to the back end of the note.
DC Input:
The BLOSSOM can safely run from 9V-18V DC (center negative). Running it at 18V will give increased headroom and dynamic response. Do NOT exceed 18V!