Nasville 400 Compression Light

Robert Herr · From: Willow Street,Pa

I have a 1991 Nashville 400 with the Lemay Mod.When I turn the amp on the Comp light comes on momentarily and then goes off.Should this light be on all the time?Does this Compression act like the stomp box variety Compressors, or is it something different?The reason I asked I inquired at my local dealer about using a Boss CS-3 with the steel, and he said why, the Nasville 400 has a built in compressor.Do many other steel players out their use a compressor?

Mike Kowalik · From: San Antonio,Texas

I'm not real technical...but that compression light will go on briefly when the amp powers up....it will also come on whenever you are blasting away at high volume....I would say your amp is acting normal....don't think that light will ever be or should be on continuously.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Hi Robert, I just tried my LeMay 400 and the comp. light illuminates for just a half second or so, then goes out. If you have any concerns about it, you should probably contact John.
The compression circuit in the Peavey amps is to protect the amp from distortion as i understand it. [I defer to Mike Brown, Peavey's expert here],
and is a different animal from the compression fx unit, which evens outs the volume of all the strings or limits the output of the signal. The Boss unit is a good one as is the MXR Dyna comp among others. Methinks your dealer is confusing the 2 things.

David Higginbotham · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

Robert, Mike and Jerry are both correct. Also, the "Digitech main squeeze" is a great unit!
Dave

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Robert, our DDT(Distortion Detection Technique) was designed by Jack Sondermeyer, who was Chief Engineer here at Peavey for many years before he retired. We first introduced DDT in our 'CS' Series of power amps in the late '80's and have incorporated it into many products since that time.

To help you in your task of accurately reproducing sound without clipping-induced distortions, we incorporate DDT™ into our power amplifiers. DDT senses clipping (or current limiting) and reduces the gain to prevent audible distortion.

Yes, it is a different application of the word "compression", but basically the results are the same. With a guitar compressor, it is either on or off and with DDT, it engages when clipping occurs. If you need further information, I can provide it for you concerning Peavey DDT circuits.

Thanks for asking.

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

Robert Herr · From: Willow Street,Pa

Thanks Mike,and to everyone else that replied.I still think the 400 was the best bang for the buck.

Bill Crook · From: Goodlettsville, TN , Spending my kid's inheritance

Mike Brown........(Peavey)

What determines the level for the DDT to kick in ???? And is it adjustable by some means ???

I notice that the circuit is somewhat in front of the power-amp frontend. As distortion is generally created when the output approaches the B+ rails,Are we really just limiting the input to the PA section ??

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Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Yes, it is in the frontend of our amps and does limit the signal at the input so that the distortion or clipping is limited at that point in the circuit.

The specifics of the circuit are not revealed, or at least I haven't read it in print. I will settle with Jack Sondermeyer's engineering skills. It is not a "knob adjustable" parameter, but is determined at the input.

[This message was edited by Mike Brown on 04 May 2004 at 08:42 AM.]

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

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