A flexible compressor/limiter with uncolored natural sound and vintage smoothness.

The Daking FET 2 Compressor/Limiter is one of the best-sounding compressors around (because you don't hear it working—none of the bad artifacts of compression, just the good), the Daking FET is designed to give you transparent performance along with the compression characteristics of highly sought-after vintage compressors — well, stellar classics actually — including the Neve 33609, Audio & Design Recording Compex*, and the venerable Fairchild 670.

Note: The FET 2 is a single-channel compressor. However, for excellent stereo bus compression reminiscent of Neve, Fairchild, or ADR, two can be linked in stereo via a simple 1/4" -1/4" cable.

Build quality
The versatile Daking FET 2 Compressor/Limiter uses all-discrete transistor Class A circuits, the best transformers available, printed circuit board mounted switches and pots, and custom low distortion inductors. There is no audio in the mute, bypass, phase or pad switches. These functions are accomplished by relays with bifurcated gold contacts. Signal capacitors are precision polypropylene or ultra low-leakage electrolytic types. Circuit boards are assembled on a mil-spec assembly line. Only through-hole construction, not surface mount, is used to ensure long-term reliability and serviceability.

The chassis are stainless steel for maximum RF and hum rejection and long-lasting finish. The faceplates are laminated with 10mil polycarbonate with the silk screening on the back so that the printing can never rub off. Every unit is hand finished, tested, burned in, and tested again. Also, Daking just couldn't stand to use plastic knobs, so they designed massive anodized, engraved aluminum knobs that give a much more precise and quality feel.

* While Neve and Fairchild are more commonly known names in the recording industry, whose compressors have been used on countless classic and modern records for decades, Audio and Designs Recording is more of an insider's legend. ADR (Audio & Design Recording) is a British company that that made signal-processing gear in the '70s including compressors; one of which, the Compex F760FX, had a unique way of adding punch to drums. And of all the vintage compressors, is spoken about most highly in that regard. One version of the ADR compressor, the Vocal Stressor) was reputedly used on John Bonham's drums. Records such as the Knack's "My Sharonna," and albums by The Sweet, Pat Benatar (first album) had the Compex used in several roles. According to engineers who've used the original Compex, the Daking FET compressor does a fine job of providing the Compex punch.

Channel Strips of the Stars: Ted Perlman



Ted Perlman, renowned Grammy-winning producer, musician, arranger, engineer, and programmer, has a resume that reads like a who's who of popular music. His credits include Bob Dylan, Chicago, Burt Bacharach, Elton John, Dave Mason, Brian Wilson, Carole King, Albert Hammond, Jr. (The Strokes), Desmond Child, Young M.C., Dolly Parton, and the list goes on. Ted was kind enough to provide us with his go-to recording vocal chain as well as his choice for guitars. Here it is, straight from Ted Perlman himself:

"I'm producing and writing with Sara Lumholdt of the mega-selling Swedish pop group, A-Teens. This will be her first solo CD. Her vocal recording chain is a Pearlman TM-LE condenser mic** to an A Designs Audio Pacifica preamp (#189903) to a Daking FET 2 compressor.

ALL guitars go through the A Designs REDDI DI box (#189904) to the A Designs Hammer EQ (#180185) to the A Designs Pacifica preamp (189903) to a Toft DC-2 compressor (187025)."



Note: for more information about individual units in the signal chain, enter the Item ID# into our search box.

**Check out Dave Pearlman Mics at www.pearlmanmicrophones.com (Dave also has quite an impressive resume as a recording engineer and owner of Rotund Rascal Recording Studio.

Check out Ted Perlman's website at www.tedperlman.com

Daking FET Compressor/Limiter Features:

• 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

Use the go-to compressor of Grammy-winning producers on your recordings. Put a Daking FET 2 in your rack ASAP!

Daking FET Compressor/Limiter Specifications:

• Method of limiting: FET (Field Effect Transistor) used as a variable resistor
• Dimensions: 12-1/4" H x 1-3/4" W(V) or 1-3/4" H x 19"W(H) x 10.5" D (knobs to back of unit)
• Wt: 5 lb.-12 oz.
• Power: 48volts DC @ 150ma
• Output Drive: transformer balanced
• +28dBv @ 1kHz 600 ohm
• +26dBv @ 31.5 Hz 600 ohm
• Frequency Response: ±1dB 10Hz to 56kHz 3dB down 63kHz
• Noise: -82dB 10Hz to 25kHz
• Distortion: THD+N 0.033 @ 1kHz
• Line input: Transformer balanced XLR input, input impedance >15k ohm, accepts input levels to +30dB; 1/4" jack has 14dB gain to accept -10dB input signals.
• Stereo Link Connection: 1/4" to 1/4" cable