Slate Digital FG-116 Blue Series Fet Compressor

FG-116 Blue Vintage

Circuit 1 has the classic ‘mid-forward’ character that has made the blue striped FET compressors so famous. It adds a wonderful coloration to the upper mids especially, and adds a warm presence to vocals, bass, drums, and guitars. It will have a softer top and bottom end compared to the Black 116, and more articulate transients due to the harmonic distortion in the midrange.

Circuit 2 is modeled after a “rev A” unit that had been updated and refurbished, and had a very unique and musical sound. This model has much bigger lows and smoother mids and highs compared to Circuit 1, making it sound quite stunning on drum room mics, as well as vocals that need to have more ‘bigness’ and don’t require the midrange push of Circuit 1.

Both Circuits have a Hi Pass Detective Filter that allows the lows to pass through uncompressed, which can sound really musical on a drum buss. Finally, the Mix knob allows you to apply parallel compression right inside the module, which is an ideal way to use this type of compression.

FG-116 Blue Modern

FG-116 Blue Modern is a custom revision of the classic FET compressor, offering two unique circuits that blend old school tone with new school topology. The output transformer has been cleaned up so that it will have no output saturation, and the attack has been decoupled from the release so that it can be set much slower than the hardware for more transient articulation…

Circuit 1 – The attack is slow enough that this compressor can sound amazing on close drum mics with the slowest attack and fastest release – try it on a snare to bring out the punch while extending the decay. Also try playing with the Mix knob, which allows you to slightly overcompress and then dial it back down so that it sits in the mix nicely. Bass guitars can take on a very edgy sound on this same setting, and by backing down the release you’ll start to tighten things up (which can be great on kick drum too).

Circuit 2 will have a more breathable and punchy bottom end and overall smoother response on the top end. It sounds amazing on a drum buss with the Hi Pass filter engaged, and even full mixes can really benefit from this musical compressor! Yes, with the Blue Modern – with the attack on the slowest and release on fastest and with the HP filter on – you can use it on full mix! Compress about 10db, then back off the mix knob to about 25% for incredible energy and excitement.”