The Fredenstein Artistic Leveler Opto Compressor is a single-channel compressor with multi-channel link capability in the 500 series form factor. If used in Fredenstein Bento 6 or Bento 10 racks (sold separately), an external side-chain input is available through the Bento's Aux input connector. The Leveler features rotary controls for Input Gain, Release Time, Compression Ratio, Make-up Gain, and Wet-Dry Mixing (parallel compression).
The Attack Time can be set in three steps, as well as the side-chain low cut filter. The side-chain can be fed externally by activating the SC Input switch. The LED bargraph meter indicates the gain reduction in the range of 1 to 16 dB. Its punchy and detailed sound is generated by three components including Fredenstein's proprietary Reverse-Mancini opto architecture, OPA2 discrete audio operational amplifier, and vintage style steel core output transformer.
The Artistic Leveler Compressor features a fixed threshold. The compression depth is controlled by changing the input gain. Increasing the input gain will cause the Leveler to apply an increased gain reduction. The output level control is used to make up for the gain reduction. The maximum compressor output gain is +20 dB. The Attack Time switch and Release Time control define how fast the compressor reacts and how fast it falls back after the signal is lower than the threshold. The accurate values are depending on the program material and the desired sound.
The Comp Ratio control sets the relationship between input and output level for signals above the threshold and can be varied from 2:1 to 7.5:1. The dry signal (uncompressed) and the wet signal (compressed) can be mix together in any combination to achieve special sounds. The wet-dry control of the Artistic Leveler boosts the versatility of the device.
Another sound shaping tool is the 3-position side-chain low cut filter. If switched to 150 or 300 Hz, it prevents low frequency signals below the selected value from being processed by the compressor. If the external side-chain input is used, the dynamics of the signal can be controlled by another source, which allows for more creative sounds.