https://www.theofficialniche.com/_files/ugd/a2ace3_a657506557c64089a1ca2a8d49a43184.pdf
https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/post/niche-devices-humbolt-compressor-review
Well, the manufacturer is sold-out and I don't see THAT many for sale in the classifieds so I'll take that as a positive sign. I lucked upon this DE (deluxe edition?) NIB courtesy of a fellow TBer. Probably more than what I need as this comes with the top-shelf components which, in some aspects, satisfies my OCD. I suspect there may be some subtle differences in performance when A/B'd with the lower-priced SE (standard edition?) but I can neither confirm nor deny.
I really can't improve upon the manual or @scubaduba 's review. That being said, the emphasis on the re-claimed console transformer opened up a rabbit hole...the article below sheds some light on the subject and provides an explanation as to why it works:
Transformers: Magically Colorize Your Sound - Sonarworks Blog
One minor niggle and the nature of the beast: the optical comp can produce some marked blunting at higher settings (2:00 and above) which was still evident when doing a 50/50 parallel mix with the preamp...desirable for some but others may complain ("kills the dynamics"). Also, the transformer-induced density affecting the low-mids may have you re-thinking the EQ somewhere along the signal path.
Riis
https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/post/niche-devices-humbolt-compressor-review
Well, the manufacturer is sold-out and I don't see THAT many for sale in the classifieds so I'll take that as a positive sign. I lucked upon this DE (deluxe edition?) NIB courtesy of a fellow TBer. Probably more than what I need as this comes with the top-shelf components which, in some aspects, satisfies my OCD. I suspect there may be some subtle differences in performance when A/B'd with the lower-priced SE (standard edition?) but I can neither confirm nor deny.
I really can't improve upon the manual or @scubaduba 's review. That being said, the emphasis on the re-claimed console transformer opened up a rabbit hole...the article below sheds some light on the subject and provides an explanation as to why it works:
Transformers: Magically Colorize Your Sound - Sonarworks Blog
One minor niggle and the nature of the beast: the optical comp can produce some marked blunting at higher settings (2:00 and above) which was still evident when doing a 50/50 parallel mix with the preamp...desirable for some but others may complain ("kills the dynamics"). Also, the transformer-induced density affecting the low-mids may have you re-thinking the EQ somewhere along the signal path.
Riis
