#The who squeeze box plus#

#The who squeeze box plus#

Other than the power switch, there are just four knobs plus an EQ in/out switch: the Out knob acts as the output make‑up gain control, EQ offers top cut in one direction and a slight brightening in the other, Comp‑Lim appears to set the compression ratio and Threshold sets the level at which compression starts. Controls are kept to a minimum, and the compressor attack and release characteristics are preset. Virtually no details of the compressor circuit are provided with the unit, other than that it's based around an optical gain‑control circuit, presumably utilising a photocell and lamp arrangement. The jack will interface happily with guitar amps or most console insert returns.

Outputs are available on both unbalanced jack and balanced XLR the XLR is recommended for low‑impedance or otherwise difficult loads. The tube‑amp section provides up to 20dB of gain, and the 2MΩ input impedance means that passive guitars and basses can be plugged directly into the unit. Sadly, the budget didn't stretch to vintage knobs, so, instead, four distinctly modern plastic knobs perch on a rather plain white box that wouldn't look out of place in an operating theatre. Designed to look like a guitar player's stomp box, complete with foot bypass switch, the mains‑powered Squeeze Box is actually a combination of a tube DI box and an opto‑compressor, with a little EQ thrown in for good measure. When it comes to vintage compression, the two main elements required for an authentic sound seem to be opto gain controls and valve circuitry, both of which are combined in the Squeeze Box.

Paul White revs up his valves and zooms off to see the big Squeeze.