EHX NYCDSP PICO PLATFORM User manual

User Manual
Compressor / Limiter

Welcome to the Electro-Harmonix Pico Platform, a
compact, simplified version of the Electro-Harmonix
Platform. The Pico Platform gives you the same
studio-quality compression in an extremely pedal-
board friendly package. Use the Pico Platform’s
compressor/limiter on any instrument for precise
and powerful control of your instrument’s dynamics,
and for extended sustain on lead playing.
Operating Instructions
Insert the output plug from the supplied 9VDC AC
adapter into the power jack at the top of the
Pico Platform. The Pico Platform must be powered
to pass signal, even in bypass—the Pico Platform
features buffered analog bypass. Connect an instru-
ment cable from your instrument to the Input jack.
Connect an instrument cable between the Output
jack and a suitable amplifier. Click the footswitch
to engage the Pico Platform and light the LED.
NYC•DSP
8
9
1 2
5
6
6
3 4
7
Power Suppy Requirements: Voltage: 9VDC Current: 100mA Polarity: Center-Negative
This device comes equipped with an Electro-Harmonix 9.6DC-200 power supply. Use of the wrong adapter or a
plug with the wrong polarity may damage the device and void the warranty. Do not exceed 10.5VDC on the power
plug. Power supplies rated for less than 100mA may cause the device to act unreliably.

Controls & Jacks
1. VOL Controls the output volume.
2. SUSTAIN Compressor Mode: Turning the
SUSTAIN knob clockwise increases the compres-
sion ratio, which determines how much compression
is applied to a signal once it crosses the threshold.
Threshold is the signal level at which the
compressor begins working. In Compressor
mode, the threshold is fixed at -35dB.
Compression ratio determines how much the
compressor squashes the signal’s volume and
thus how much it levels out dynamics. The higher
the ratio, the more it reduces the peaks to yield
a more consistent output volume.
Limiter Mode: Turning the SUSTAIN knob clock-
wise decreases the threshold level, which forces
the limiter to act sooner. The compression ratio is
constant and practically infinite in Limiter mode.
3. ATTACK Sets the speed at which compressor/
limiter activates once the input signal level reach-
es or exceeds the threshold setting. Turning clock-
wise adjusts the attack time from fast to slow.
Slow ATTACK settings emphasize the initial
attack and add greater pop to your notes.
Fast ATTACK times produce even compression,
acting on both the pluck and decay.
4. BLEND Adjusts the output wet/dry mix.
5. TYPE Button Selects the effect mode:
Green – COMPRESSOR
Orange – LIMITER
6. Footswitch and Status LED Footswitch engages
or bypasses the effect. The LED color indicates
the selected effect type. In bypass, the LED is off.
7. Input Jack Impedance: 2.2MΩ, Max In: +1.5 dBu
8. Output Jack Impedance: 680Ω, Max Out: +2.1 dBu
9. Power Jack Current draw: 100mA at 9.0VDC
Input Level
Threshold
Increasing
Compression
Ratio
Limiting
Output
Level

Knee Selection
The Pico Platform offers two options for the com-
pression knee: hard and soft. The knee—which
occurs at the threshold—refers to the transition
between the uncompressed and compressed
sections of the gain curve.
Hard knee creates a more dramatic compression
effect, while soft knee is smoother. Hard knee is
selected by default from the factory. To change
the knee selection, do the following:
1. Press and hold the TYPE push button
2. After two seconds, the LED cycles through the
three LED colors.
3. If the speed of LED cycle is slow, Soft knee is
now selected.
4. If the speed of LED cycle is rapid, Hard knee is
now selected.
5. Release the button.
The knee setting is remembered through pow-
er-cycles so you can set it and forget it.
Input Level
Threshold
Hard
Knee
Soft
Knee
Output
Level
Questions about this product? Email: [email protected]