Overstayer 3706 User manual
STEREO FIELD EFFECT
LIMITER/COMPRESSOR MODEL 3706
All rights reserved. All features and specifications subject to change without noticea
The Overstayer Stereo Field Effect Model 3706 Limiter/Compressor is an evolution of
our passion for FET compressors and classic analog recording chains. The Stereo Field
Effect, or SFE, is a stereo unit with ganged controls that combines compression and
limiting, with analog tone shaping and harmonics stages to evoke the tonality of a
classic analog recording and mixing chain.
Classic FET ratios, as well as gentle low ratio and limit settings, allow the balance of
compression to harmonics to be tailored, while wide-ranging attack and release options
allow the envelope to shape exactly what hits the harmonics stages. The integrated
sidechain filter and tone shaping of the discrete harmonics stages allows the signal to
remain full even with large amounts of gain reduction. The Nonlinear mode engages an
alternate aggressive personality, giving you new and unique dynamic textures.
FEATURES
●Classic FET compression in stereo with single controls
●Discrete harmonics circuitry integrates rich color and character to the
compression, integration that gives you a fluid recording/mix chain
●Parallel blend control; adjust compression and harmonics as aggressively as
needed and balance to taste
●Multiple ratios allow for subtle control to harder limiting, while the external
sidechain loop can be used to shape further or bypass compression altogether,
driving only the analog harmonics
●Nonlinear mode brings creative and extreme punch, and energized compression
balanced with additional harmonics
●Transformer balanced discrete output stage
●Power supply included with rugged 5 pin XLR connector and IEC cable
All rights reserved. All features and specifications subject to change without noticea
SAFETY AND INSTALLATION
Installation
1. Before attaching the DC plug of an adaptor to equipment, please unplug the adaptor
from the AC power and verify the unit is within the voltage and current rating on the
equipment.
2. Keep the linkage between the adaptor and its power cord tightly as well as connecting
the DC plug to equipment properly.
3. Protect the power cord from being trodden on or being squashed.
4. Use only an approved power cord, do not defeat the safety grounding pin which must
be connected to earth at all times (do not use a ground lift).
5. Keep good ventilation for the unit in use to prevent it from overheating. Do not install
near any heat source or device that produces heat.
6. An approved power cord should greater or equal to SVT, 3G×18AWG or H03VV-F,
3G×0.75mm2.
7. If the final equipment is not used for long period of time, disconnect the equipment
from power supply to avoid being damaged by voltage peaks or lightning strike.
Warning / Caution !!
1. Risk of electrical shock and energy hazard. All failure should be examined by a qualified
technician. Please do not remove the case of the adaptor by yourself!
2. Risk of fire or electrical shock. The openings should be protected from foreign objects
or dripping liquids.
3. Using wrong DC plug or forcing a DC plug into an electronic device may damage the
device or cause to malfunction.
4. Adaptors should be placed on a reliable surface. A drop or fall could cause damage.
5. Do not use or install in places with high moisture or near the water.
6. Do not use or install in places with high ambient temperature or near fire source.
7. Disconnect the unit from the AC power before cleaning. Do not use any liquid or
aerosol.
8. Please contact your local qualified recyclers when you want to dispose this product.
All rights reserved. All features and specifications subject to change without noticea
CONNECTIONS
Line In, Line Out, Sidechain Send, Sidechain Return
XLR pin 2 hot
DC Power
5 pin XLR
IN USE
A good starting point is INPUT and OUTPUT at ‘3’, BLEND ‘wet’, ATTACK ‘3’, RELEASE ‘1’, RATIO
‘8’. The meter LEDs are very responsive, and may indicate more compression than you are
hearing, especially if you are used to analog VU meters. Due to the nature of the pots and to
get maximum flexibility from the gain structure of the compressor, the INPUT and OUTPUT
controls may live at relatively low settings.
In NON-LINEAR mode, the timing range gets much faster as the ratio increases, sometimes too
fast for the detector with the SC FILTER engaged. If this is the case, just ease up on the ATTACK
a bit.
The 3706, FET compressors, and analog gear in general have a bit of chaos in them, which is
why we love them and build them! We trim for better than 1dB matching through a wide range
of settings, but deviations are inevitable in certain circumstances. Generally these are more
apparent visually on a meter than audibly.
All rights reserved. All features and specifications subject to change without noticea
CONTROLS
ENGAGE
Relay switched bypass.
HARMONIC
Engages discrete harmonics stages, which are post compression. The harmonics circuit bends
peaks and levels, as well as creating low order harmonics. It has a wide range (sweet spot)
before if hard clips, and can be used for subtle thickening and inflating. Experimenting with
transients, it will round before obvious clipping is heard, and will increase apparent volume. It
will also ‘push back’ a bit when eqing into it, and can add cohesiveness. The HARMONIC circuit
increases the gain to counter the limiting action, but at high levels the limiting action of the
circuit can actually lower the level relative to the HARMONIC circuit disengaged.
SC FILTER
Engages a 220Hz high pass filter in the sidechain path.
NON-LINEAR
Alters the behavior of the compression, increasing the ratio and changing the shape of the
knee, as well as speeding up the timing and creating extra harmonics. The timing controls
get very fast in this mode, in some cases tracking the wave creating harmonic distortion
- ease the controls up to decrease the effect if desired. Independent L to R tracking
(unlinked) can create wild effects, if this is not desired, link the detectors.
INPUT
Controls the level into the circuit,which determines the amount of compression and harmonic
saturation.
OUTPUT
Sets the output level of the compressed side (wet), pre-BLEND.
BLEND
Sets the balance between wet (compressed) and dry (uncompressed) signal paths.
ATTACK
Continuously variable control that sets the amount of time it takes for the compressor to
respond to a level that exceeds the threshold.
RELEASE
Continuously variable control that sets the amount of time it takes the compressor to return to
its normal gain after the signal drops below the threshold.
RATIO
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●LOW - Use this for Harmonics with slight peak compression
●4, 8 , 12 - Classic FET Ratios
●LIMIT - Hard peak limiting
SIDECHAIN
Selects between INTERNAL linked (low position), INTERNAL unlinked (preferred middle
position), and EXTERNAL sidechain send and return loop (high position). Using the send and
return allows a device to be inserted into the sidechain signal while preserving the feedback
action of the compression. Alternately, multing the input signal to the sidechain return and
selecting EXTERNAL will force the compressor into feedforward compression.
Copyright © 2015, OVERSTAYER RECORDING EQUIPMENT, INC. All rights reserved. All features and specifications
subject to change without notice.
All rights reserved. All features and specifications subject to change without noticea
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