Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor

The Germanium series expands with the Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor, built around the same all-Class A amplifier used in the Germ Pre and Tone Control, with transformer-balanced inputs and outputs. At its core is an FET-based gain reduction stage, enhanced with the creative flexibility that defines the Germanium range.

Key features of the Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor include a Wet/Dry mix control for easy parallel compression, a Comp Curve selector that adjusts the knee shape via different diode configurations, a Clean/Dirty switch for tonal variation, and a sidechain filter for targeted compression response.

Rather than relying on lab measurements, many of the Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor’s settings were shaped through real-world studio use and critical listening, resulting in a uniquely musical compressor well suited to tracking, mixing, and mastering applications.

Comp Curve – One of the most creative and practical features of the Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor is the Curve control, which adjusts the compression knee using different diode combinations. Developing this section was one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the design.

Various diodes were tested,  germanium, silicon, and zener, across multiple configurations, ultimately resulting in six useful combinations, including a more traditional resistance-based setting.

Most compressors rely on simple resistance circuits for their ratio or knee behaviour. By contrast, the Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor uses diodes to introduce tonal variation and character into the curve.

Germanium diodes provide a smooth response due to their low forward voltage, while silicon diodes, with their higher forward voltage, create a sharper knee. Zener diodes introduce more extreme knee characteristics, resulting in distinct compression styles.

Comp Curve options and their effects:

• Resistance (marked R Soft): The most neutral and transparent setting, using standard resistance circuitry. It offers the gentlest compression curve with minimal tonal colouration.
• GERM Soft: Uses a single germanium diode for a slightly sharper knee than the Resistance setting. Adds subtle warmth and tone to the compression.
• GERM Medium: Features five germanium diodes of a different type, plus the same diode used in the Soft setting. This option produces a more pronounced knee and imparts greater colour and vibe.
• SILICON Medium: Employs a single silicon diode, delivering a noticeably sharper knee than the GERM Medium setting and offering a different tonal character.
• SILICON Hard: Uses two silicon diodes in combination, creating the sharpest silicon-based knee and adding further tonal intensity.
• ZENER Hard: Utilises a single zener diode, resulting in the most extreme knee characteristic of all six settings. This mode introduces a unique compression style with bold harmonic impact.