Description
This SC2 has been refurbished with a new bypass switch & knob (not shown in the photo). It has been recapped with uprated caps in the power supply, more decoupling and high-quality bipolar caps in the audio path. We’ve replaced the blown meter bulbs with white LEDs. Tested & working 100%
Part of the Joe Meek range of outboard gear, this stereo compressor was designed by famed British engineer Ted Fletcher. These early Joe Meek units were built in small quantities but have a big reputation
The SC range is complex and comprises many versions, updates & revisions. V1.07 is an early model from the original series and this is a very early iteration of the V1.07 with two circuit boards inside and no output pot. See what I mean about many versions?
The SC uses optical devices for gain reduction. Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs or Optos) have long been famed for their smooth response. Their drawback, when compared with FET or VCA compressors, is a relatively slow response, but the response time, and consequent smoothness, is a big part of their appeal
I went into my test session expecting drama & lots of colouration but found the V1.07 to be a subtle, well-behaved unit with a very smooth sound. The slope control has a significant impact on the sound of the compressor and it’s worth experimenting with settings to find the result you want – i’s capable of a wider range of sounds than you might expect
Ted Fletcher’s compressors do tend towards the coloured & more characterful end of the spectrum and the 1.07 is easily capable of full-blown, pumping compression with appropriate settings
“It is VERY coloured – in fact, that’s kind of the whole point… I liked it on clean electric guitars and the drum buss”
“I like it. But I like heavy, colored compression which the Meek can do”
“I love mine on kick, parallel drum “push”, bass push, gtr sub’s, and even the occasional “2 mix” (with extreme caution!)”
“It’s colored and it looks good, it’s colored and it sounds good, you can crank it up all the way and it still sounds good, it has good-sized knobs and an uncluttered front panel, it’s well-visible and readable from the distance, it has balanced in/outs on XLRs, it’s downright cheap so you don’t have to break the bank after shelling out big bucks for your Main Compressor”
“Joemeek compression is in my opinion some of the nicest sounding, warm/dark compression out there. I truly love the sound that this unit give”
“The JoeMeek SC2 is a very cool “character” compressor; it’s almost more apparent in its timbral coloration than in its gain reduction (though it’s generally pretty overt in both”
