User Manual for Electro-Harmonix PLATFORM Stereo Compressor/Limiter Pedal

Quick guide from the manual

The Electro-Harmonix Platform is a versatile stereo compressor/limiter pedal. It requires a 9VDC power supply with a center negative plug, drawing 125mA. The internal signal path is: Input -> Compressor/Limiter -> Overdrive -> Swell -> Output. The pedal features true stereo input and output, buffered bypass, and saves the state of the Knee, Limiter, and Drive settings in flash memory for power-up.

Compressor/Limiter Controls

SUSTAIN Knob: In Compressor mode, it adjusts the compression ratio (higher ratio reduces peaks). In Limiter mode, it adjusts the threshold level (lower threshold forces the limiter to act sooner). ATTACK Knob: Sets the time delay before activation. Clockwise increases attack time from fast to slow. RELEASE Knob: Sets the time the compressor takes to stop working after the signal drops below the threshold. Slower settings are smoother; faster settings can cause "pumping" effects. KNEE Button: Toggles between Soft Knee (lit, transparent compression) and Hard Knee (unlit, dramatic compression). LIMITER Button: Engages the limiter with an infinite ratio. Bar Graph LEDs: Indicate real-time gain reduction (3dB per LED).

Drive (Overdrive) Controls

DRIVE Knob: Controls input gain and saturation. TONE Knob: Adjusts the frequency response of the hi-cut filter. VOL Knob: Controls the output volume of the Drive section. DRIVE Footswitch: Engages or bypasses the overdrive section. Note: The pedal must be in Effect mode for the Drive section to be audible.

Swell Control

The Swell function replaces the instrument's normal attack with a sound that fades in slowly. It is located after the overdrive and compressor in the signal chain. The SWELL knob adjusts the fade-in time; setting it to zero bypasses the effect.

Signal Flow and Operation

The pedal supports Mono and Stereo configurations. For Mono, use the Left Input and Left Output. For Stereo, use both Left and Right inputs/outputs. The sidechain sums the left and right signals to control the compressor equally, ensuring stereo balance is maintained. Swell remains separate for left and right inputs.

Tips and Tricks

If you experience "pumping" sounds, try increasing the RELEASE setting, decreasing the ATTACK setting, or decreasing the SUSTAIN setting. If you hear clicking or excessive pop at the start of notes, try decreasing the ATTACK setting, increasing the RELEASE setting, or decreasing the SUSTAIN setting. The Drive section can be used as a clean volume boost by setting the DRIVE knob below 9 o'clock and increasing the Drive VOL knob.

Specifications

• Input Impedance: 1MΩ per input
• Output Impedance: 300Ω per output
• Current Draw: 125mA
• Maximum Input Signal Level: +7.2 dBu