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Daking Mic Fet II Compressor Description
All discrete transistor circuitry transformer balanced inputs and outputs
Class "A" amplifiers.
All discrete transistor circuitry
Transformer balanced inputs and output
Class "A" amplifiers
All parameters switch selectable & repeatable
Threshold adjustable from -
10 to +10 in 2dB steps
Ratios: 1.5:1 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, 10:1 and 20:1
Attack 250 microseconds to 63 milliseconds
Seven release time constants;
a: .5
b: 1
c: 1.5
d: Neve 33609 Auto
e: A&D Compex Auto
f: Fairchild 670 #5
g: Fairchild 670 #6
Make up gain: 0 to 11dB in 1db steps
Three function VU Meter:
Input/Output/Gain Reduction
Two Inputs:
A. XLR +4dbm transformer balanced
B. 1/4 TRS - 10dB transformer balanced
Stainless steel construction
HEAR THE DAKING FET II & FET 3
***FILES ARE FOR ZENPRO AUDIO CUSTOMER'S PRIVATE USE ONLY AND ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OR RE-POSTED ELSEWHERE***
You can right click and "save as", then load these files into your DAW and listen in your control room.
Files are pre-recorded and offered here in 320k (highest) mp3 in bypass and compressed form. All cabling is
Mogami, conversion done via SSL Alpha Link MADI AX / Rain Recording
Element PC / Nuendo 4, monitored on ADAM P33A / Manley ML10A, mp3
processed in WaveLab 6.
Quick Test Notes:
- Female Voc, Ac Gtr and Cello performed by i-nine and work together as a song piece
- Stereo Buss features Damn. The Sun
- Drums, Bass and Male Vocals by The Thirsties
Settings
are matched as closely as I could by ear so that a fair comparison of
the units could be presented to you. Some files are pushed to the
extreme to hear the effects of compression more. The FET II utilizes
switching vs the variable pots of the FET 3, so typically I started
with the FET II when dialing it in, then matching it with the FET 3
each time. I offer bypass versions of each clip as well.
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Daking FET II Compressor Review /
See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page
Lightning quick (attack time of 250
microseconds, not milliseconds!), capable of large amounts of gain reduction
without imposing its own tone on things too much, the FET II is one of those
“control it and stay out of my way” compressors that does its job and does it
well. It’s capable of that fast 1176 style of control, but also gives you the
option of slowing the attack down a lot (63ms, compared to the 1176 which
reports its slowest attack time at .8ms!) as well as the release (.5 to 1.5
secs, compared to the 1176 50ms to 1.1 secs) as well as offering unique release
modes that Daking claims are modeled after classic Neve, A&D and Fairchild
compressor limiters (of which I cannot personally testify to their accuracy).
The FET II is one of the few
compressors that do everything at least well. It has that classic Daking “clean
but with vibe” sound to it concerning the tone it outputs. It can pound a drum
kit into the ground without thinking twice, or gently control a vocal, or just
about anything in between. Every single setting is a switch, so it’s also 100%
repeatable for recall later. It can do very obvious and driven sounds if
pushed, but you really have to push it before it gets into artifacts. On 2 buss
a linked pair certainly gives great control with the 1.5:1 or 2:1 ratio without
too much squish.
Conclusion: Fast, clean with light
character, and versatility make the FET II a great reach for total control. It
will flat out reign in the dynamic range and do its best to stay out of the
way, but the artifacts you do hear are pleasing in that classic Daking way.
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