If you're looking for a "transparent", "subtle", or "always on" type of compressor, look elsewhere, friends. If you're looking for an effect, you've come to the right place!
This ain't your granddad's compressor. The Vox Cooltron Snake Charmer is tube based compressor that is super gooey at virtually all settings. In fact, it is pretty much a dark, thick, syrupy and squashed sounding device. Think of it like an extreme Orange Squeezer with emphasis on extreme.
The Compression control affects the threshold from low (counterclockwise) to high (clockwise). Even at the lowest setting (all the way counterclockwise) the pedal is clamping down a lot. This Compression dial interacts directly with the Ratio switch which lets you select between a "low" ratio and "high" ratio. Switch set high and it is all out molasses — dark, thick, gooey syrupy feel. The difference between High and Low is rather dramatic but even low is in effect territory. The Compression dial would be better worded "Threshold" or simply think of it as the amount of signal that is going to be compressed. Again, it isn't subtle.
Attack determines how quickly gain reduction kicks in after the initial detection of a transient peak. Release controls how long the compression circuit is clamping down. The Emphasis control effects the highs and how compression is applied to treble frequencies, where setting the knob at noon allows all frequencies to be evenly compressed.
This crazy compressor is very lightly used, and we'll ship it to you super fast and super safe in its original box! Feel free to give us a call with any questions you may have about it!