Tech 21 CompTortion Owner's Manual

Comp

TONE TORTION COMP

TM

IN

POWER REQUIREMENTS

* Utilizes standard 9V alkaline battery (not included).To install, simply remove back plate. (NOTE: The Input activates battery.To conserve energy, unplug when not in use.) Power Consumption: approx. 12mA.

*USE DC POWER SUPPLY ONLY! Failure to do so may damage the unit and void warranty. DC Power Supply Specifications:

-9V DC regulated or unregulated, 100mA minimum;

-2.1mm female plug, center negative (-).

Optional factory power supply is available:Tech 21 Model # DC2.

WARNINGS:

* Attempting to repair unit is not recommended and may void warranty.

* Missing or altered serial numbers automatically void warranty. For your own protection, be sure serial number labels on the unit’s back plate and exterior box are intact.

ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. PROOF OF PURCHASE

REQUIRED.

Manufacturer warrants unit to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one (1) year from date of purchase.This warranty does not include damage resulting from accident, misuse, abuse, alteration, or incorrect current or voltage. If unit becomes defective within warranty period,Tech 21 will elect to repair or replace it free of charge. After warranty expires,Tech 21 will repair defective unit for a fee.

ALL REPAIRS for residents of U.S.: Call Tech 21 for Return Authorization

Number. Manufacturer will not accept packages without prior authorization, pre-paid freight (UPS preferred) and proper insurance. International purchasers should contact the authorized Tech 21 distributor in their particular country.

FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE & SERVICE:

Contact Tech 21, Inc., weekdays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, EST.

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

T E C H 2 1 . N Y C

333 West 52nd Street, NY, New York 10019

212-315-1116 / Fax: 212-315-0825 / www.tech21nyc.com

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The CompTortion logically, and uniquely, combines two effects: compression and distortion. No other single pedal offers this kind of control over such a range of sounds - - from totally clean to light distortion to smooth and creamy overdrive, and from zero compression to completely squashed.

The CompTortion is multifunctional and exceptionally versatile. Musically voiced to complement each other, the effects are independently adjustable so you can determine the formula that best suits your particular taste.You have the option of using the compression by itself or just the distortion alone. And, of course, you can mix the two together.You

can also use the CompTortion solely for a clean boost, up to 12dB.

Compression and distortion in the same signal chain are inherently very noisy. Even if you had “the best” compressor hooked up with “the best” distortion unit, there would be so much noise you wouldn’t be able to use them without an outboard noise gate. Having specifically designed these two effects into one unit, noise reduction was engineered directly into the circuitry.

Characteristic of all Tech 21 products, the CompTortion will not depersonalize your guitar tone. It is highly interactive with your individual playing style, your individual musical style, and your instrument’s individual tonality. It is our hope that the CompTortion will be a useful tool for stimulating your creativity and, ultimately, providing the inspiration to play your best.

APPLICATIONS

The CompTortion is designed for use with any amp - - tube or solid state, vintage or modern.You can achieve the same results using the

CompTortion with any of our highly-acclaimed SansAmp TM models of

Tube Amplifier Emulators, as there is no speaker simulation within the

CompTortion’s circuitry.

The 100% analog technology can also add warmth and dimension to any digital signal processor.

Simply plug your guitar into the CompTortion, and plug the

CompTortion into the input of your amp (or the input of a SansAmp).

GUIDE TO CONTROLS

COMP

(Compression) controls the amount of compression and sustain without any distortion.

Ranges from minimum at 1:1 to maximum at 15:1.

TORTION

(Distortion) controls the amount of distortion and sustain without any compression.

At minimum, setting is completely clean.

TONE

is a traditional passive shelving tone control.

LEVEL

adjusts the output level without altering any tonal characteristics.

NOTEWORTHY NOTES & SUGGESTIONS

-For guitar amps that tend to be on the bright side, we recommend you begin experimenting with the Tone control set lower than 12 o’clock.

When available, use the Normal channel on your amp, rather than the

Bright channel.

-Whenever you’re not playing, we suggest turning your guitar volume to minimum. Outside interference can trigger the noise gate to open, causing unwanted background noise to be present (particularly with single coil pickups).

-Having both Comp and Tortion set at maximum at the same time may cause microphonic feedback in live performances and excess noise in recording applications.When using one at maximum, we recommend using the other sparingly.

-The LED will fade as the battery runs low.

USING THE COMPTORTION

WITH OTHER EFFECTS

For best results, plug your guitar directly into the CompTortion.This will preserve the interactive nature of the unit. Otherwise, place the following effects:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Chorus, Envelope Filter/Follower,Wah-Wah

Chorus, Distortion (other), Echo, Reverb, SansAmp,

Volume Pedal

LEVEL

LEVEL

LEVEL

LEVEL

LEVEL

TONE

SAMPLE SETTINGS

TORTION COMP Warm/Medium Overdrive

(Recommended

Starting Point)

TONE TORTION COMP

TONE TORTION COMP

TONE TORTION COMP

TONE TORTION COMP

Blues

Clean Boost

Country Picking

Distortion for Lead