Origin Effects CALI76 User manual

CALI76 COMPACT
The Cali76 Compact provides direct access to your favourite vintage compression
settings from the original Cali76 in a compact, easy-to-use package. A single
combined Attack/Release control takes care of these often misunderstood
parameters, guiding you through the most useful combinations while avoiding
the less useful ones. Add in a simple high/low ratio switch and you get tons of
flexibility without the complexity – instant gratification guaranteed!
• 100% Class-A discrete signal path
• Classic, ultra fast “FET” response
• Studio-grade discrete-transistor preamp
• Combined Attack/Release control
• Dual-position Ratio switch
• Optimised for guitar but can process any source
• High-current, low-noise electronics
• Ultra-wide frequency response
• Ultra-high input impedance
• Silent switching
• High-quality “signal-conditioning” bypass mode
• Premium components throughout
• Advanced power supply filtering and protection
• Flexible external power requirements (9-18V DC)
• PSU Spec. 42mA @ 9V / 58mA @ 18V
• Designed and built in England

Origin Effects. . .
. . . Purity of Tone

INTRODUCTION
The Cali76 Compact Series is a range of premium-quality, 1960s-style FET compressors, each inspired by the legendary Urei 1176.
The idea behind the range was to bring the sonic properties of this revered studio classic into the scope of the average guitar geek…
The topology of each design was kept true to the original, while the actual circuitry has been carefully condensed. In this way it has
been possible to retain the much-loved dynamic response of the original, while at the same time permitting a smaller, more stage
friendly format.
Excluding the VU meter (where applicable), the circuitry is wholly transistor-based (otherwise known as "discrete"). Well designed
transistor circuits, in contrast to IC-based designs, generate fewer harsh distortion artefacts. In addition, subtle harmonics are
created which can positively enhance tone.
We've included a studio-grade 1960s-style discrete preamp, to work as an electronic interface between your guitar and the
compressor. The preamp provides gain and also creates the optimum conditions for signal transfer.
In designing the Compact Series pedals, Origin Effects has gone to painstaking lengths to preserve the build quality and sonic
integrity of the original Cali76 and SlideRIG circuits, even improving on them where possible.
The further reduction in size has been achieved by using a mixture of traditional through-hole and SMD components, spread across
a pair of densely populated, stacked boards. The signal path utilises film and tantalum capacitors, carefully chosen low-noise
transistors and rugged MELF resistors (essentially traditional through-hole resistors without the leads), which offer low-noise
performance and rock-solid reliability.
One of the reasons why the original Origin pedals sound so good is that they deliver true FET compression, with a fast yet highly
musical response that is a world away from the brutal and unforgiving sound of traditional VCA compressor pedal designs. The new
Compact Series pedals stay true to Origin's design philosophy with absolutely no opamps or VCAs used in the signal path.
The new pedals are powered by mains adaptor only. Dispensing with the usual internal 9V battery option allows more space inside
the enclosure for high-quality circuitry, while also supporting the high-current circuit design that is the key to these pedals'
astonishingly low noise levels.

CONTROLS
IN: The Cali76 features a very nice studio-grade input preamplifier. This works as an interface between the guitar and the
compressor sections. In exactly the same way, a studio-engineer will first amplify a dry guitar signal before applying additional
processing. The In control allows the user to vary the gain of this preamplifier.
Turning the In control clockwise increases the overall gain of the pedal. This also increases the amount of compression. The guitar
will become increasingly touch sensitive as gain is increased. Too much gain and the preamplifier will clip and distort.
Compression is greatly reduced at lower gain settings, as much of the signal entering the compressor section falls below the
compressor's internal threshold. Signal level must exceed this threshold in order to initiate gain-reduction. So, at lower gain
settings, only the signal peaks are compressed.
OUT: The Out control simply determines the level of the signal present at the pedal's output. This can be set in order to keep the
overall effected level close to that of the dry (bypass) signal. Alternatively, the level can be increased to help project a guitar solo.
RATIO: The Ratio switch allows the user to adjust the amount of gain reduction applied for any given increase in guitar signal.
At the lower ratio setting, doubling the input signal (an increase of 100%) will result in the output increasing by 19%. At the
highest ratio setting, the output would rise by only 3.5% for the same increase in input signal. The latter case represents
"limiting". As was the case in the Urei 1176, changing the ratio setting also varies the threshold level of the unit. This helps to
keep the output at a consistent level, regardless of settings.
In practice, lower Ratio settings will provide more gentle, transparent compression, while higher Ratio settings will deliver more
aggressive compression with a tightly controlled dynamic range – in other words, the loudest and quietest notes you play will end
up at roughly the same level.
ATT/REL: Compressor attack and release controls are all too often misunderstood, which is unfortunate as they are
instrumental in achieving a usable sound. In most cases attack and release parameters should be adjusted to optimise the
compressor's dynamic response to that of a particular instrument. However, they can also be adjusted to create strong dynamic
effects. Incorrect settings can produce nasty distortions and frequency-dependant artefacts.

The Att/Rel knob adjusts the two parameters simultaneously to offer the user a choice of the most useful settings without any
headaches! All our favourite combinations are here. All the troublesome settings are not. Adjust to taste!
Turning the knob clockwise will reduce the release time whilst increasing the attack time, best for percussive playing and
emphasising pick attack. Likewise, rotating the Att/Rel knob anti-clockwise will increase the release time while reducing the
attack time for a smoother, more “spongy” feel.
CONNECTIVITY & POWER REQUIREMENTS
INSTR: Insert your guitar, other instrument or signal source here. The ultra-high input impedance will even work with
piezoelectric pickups, provided that the connected lead is of sufficient quality and is reasonably short in length (a long lead will
“load” a piezoelectric pickup, reducing the bandwidth).
We usually recommend placing our pedals directly after your guitar, to maximise signal-to-noise ratio. However, in rare instances
you may prefer to place the compressor after your overdrive pedals – for instance, if you are looking to even out changes in level
caused by kicking in a range of drives.
AMP: Connect to your amp or other pedals. The output impedance is low in all modes, so the unit will drive signals down the
connected guitar lead, overcoming the issues of high-frequency signal loss associated with passive bypass systems.
9-18VDC: Insert power here. A high-quality regulated supply should be chosen to avoid damage from voltage surges and other
over-voltage conditions. The connector should be the 2.1mm type with the centre-pin "wired negative". For best performance, the
pedal should be powered from an 18V supply. This will increase the headroom, allowing cleaner processing of conventional guitar
signals. This will also permit the use of hotter source signals, such as active guitar pickups.

EXAMPLE SETTINGS
Percussive & lively. A slow attack time
allows the compressor to accentuate the initial
transient of any given note. Fast release allows
the compressor to fully recover between notes,
so that every phrase and chord will take on a
percussive quality. Low ratio keeps compression
artefacts/distortion to a minimum.
Dynamic control. A fast attack time allows
the compressor to catch transients early on. A
slow release time stops the compressor from
pumping, making gain reduction much more
stable. Compression is natural sounding and
playing dynamics are balanced between melody
and chordal passages.
Country Pickin'. Fairly slow attack to get
that audible "pluck". Fast release allows the
compressor to recover quickly, in order to
respond fully to every note played. The high
ratio setting allows for maximum squash. Dig-
in with your pick and the compressor will
respond in a rewarding way!

ABOUT ORIGIN EFFECTS
Origin Effects is the brainchild of Simon Keats, a guitarist, electronic engineer and analogue circuit designer who has worked for
the likes of Vox, Focusrite and Trident Audio. Having built bespoke effects for professional musicians and producers for many
years, he launched the Origin Effects brand in 2012 to bring his exceptional designs to a wider audience.
His first two pedals – the 1176-inspired Cali76 compressor and the unique SlideRig, which chains two 1176-style compressors
together for near-infinite clean sustain – have been widely recognised as the best pedal compressors ever made. Users range from
guitarists and bass players like David Gilmour, Pino Palladino and Steve Lukather to Grammy Award-winning producers like
Paul Epworth, Ross Hogarth and Terry Britten.
Please note that Simon Keats & Origin Effects Limited are in no way affiliated with Urei or Universal Audio.
T: [phone] • E: [email protected] • www.origineffects.com
Origin Effects Limited, First Floor Office, Unit C6 Station Yard, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3UH, UK.