Flat Cat

A clean compressor, the Flat Cat adds that studio sound without distortion

ABOUT
Jason Ricci, arguably the best harmonica player today, asked me to build a compressor pedal. He specified that it had to be distortion-free and include a VOLUME control; plus he wanted it to look good, a cool color, and cool graphics. The result is the Flat Cat, a distortion-free optical compressor. What does a compressor do? A compressor "compresses" the signal your microphone produces and equalizes the dynamic range. The benefit of a compressor lies in that every note played will be at nearly the same amplitude, and therefore nearly equal in volume. This will help equalize tones that are sometimes lost in the mix because of complex overtones, and it will result in a more articulate sound. The Flat Cat is an optical compressor, which makes it distortion-free. The addition of the VOLUME control allows the user to make up volume lost through compression. The Flat Cat is great for rock and blues rock. Sometimes it is hard to tell it is on, but you will miss it when it is off.

SETTINGS
The "SQUASH" control sets the amount of compression; the further you turn the control clockwise, the more compression. As you compress the signal the more the volume decreases, and you can turn the VOLUME control clockwise to replace the lost volume. Start with the VOLUME and SQUASH at the 12:00 position, which will provide for a moderate amount of compression and approximately the same volume when the pedal is placed in and out of bypass. The pedal can be placed at or near the front of your pedal train; it will work in various places, and the best place is really up to the user.

POWER
The pedal requires a 9v battery or a 9vdc power adapter. The AC adapter requirements are 9vdc with a minimum 100mA output and a 2.1mm x 5.5mm connector with a negative center and positive outside. Current draw is 5.4ma. The battery is switched OFF when an external power supply is used, and the IN jack acts as the ON/OFF switch and the pedal is ON as long as there is a cable plugged into the IN jack. Power adapter is not included.

FEATURES
1. Clean tone, no distortion
2. VOLUME control
3. SQUASH (compression) control
4. True bypass foot switch
5. 9v DC input (see drawing)
6. High impedance buffered input
7. Bypass ON/OFF LED
8. Reverse voltage polarity protection
9. 9v battery operation
10. 10-year warranty on parts and labor
11. If not satisfied, return within 60 days for a refund.