Chandler Ltd. Little Devil Compressor — 500-Series Compressor

500-series compressor combines two Chandler Limited compressors in one with selectable Germanium and Zener compression curves

The 500-series Chandler Limited Little Devil Compressor is a mixture of all that’s Chandler with a side order of classic Neve. The Little Devil Compressor combines elements of Chandler’s LTD-2 and Germanium compressors, as well as the classic Neve 2264 and 33609 compressors into an all-new compressor for the 500 format. For flexibility as intense as its tone, the Chandler Little Devil Compressor features revolutionary controls such as selectable Germanium and Zener compression curves, wet/dry mix control, and a sidechain filter that controls low frequency processing. With classic discrete transformer sound and Chandler Limited’s renowned handmade quality, the 500-series Little Devil Compressor gives you a rack full of classic compression in a single small package.

Chandler Limited Little Devil Compressor unique features:

• Curve control selects between Germanium and Zener sound characteristics
• Combines elements of Chandler LTD-2 and Germanium compressors plus Neve 2264 and 33609

Chandler Limited Little Devil Compressor key features:

• Wet/dry control mixes compressed and uncompressed signal to simulate parallel compression—preserves transients and intensity
• Sidechain adjusts amount of low frequency entering compressor circuit
• Hardwire bypass eliminates all circuits from signal path
• No power-up issues with lunchboxes and rack systems

Don’t forget to check out RSPE’s Rack Revolution, a virtual 500-series rack builder that lets you custom-configure the perfect 500-series lunchbox for your studio, DAW, or mobile recording rig. RSPE carries every 500-series module imaginable, including mic preamps, compressor-limiters, equalizers, and 500 power racks.

Inside The Box —Little Devil Compressor

The Little Devil Compressor is steeped in the Chandler sound with discrete amplifiers, inductors, transformers, and quality American build. You won’t find any sound-crippling surface-mount technology or ribbon cables (which have a history of failing in audio devices) in the Little Devil compressor.

Thanks to the Curve control, the Little Devil is very much two compressors in one. Since the compression curve or knee largely dictates the sound and function of the Little Devil, the Germ and Zener selections are radically different in terms of knee, time constants, distortion, and overall sound character. The Zener curve is an extremely gentle knee, which offers a less compressed sound regardless of extreme settings. The time constants are slower than the Germ selection with less overall THD. Another characteristic of Little Devil compression is that the ratio selections change time constants. The higher the ratio, the slower the time constant, with the highest ratio sounding close to slow, variable-mu-style compression, such as that of the Altec 436 or UA 176.

The Germ curve resembles the settings on the Chandler Germanium Compressor, except that it will generally compress a little more aggressively. It also has a smooth knee, but has just the right amount of grab to make it punchy and fun sounding. It’s faster than the Zener setting, plus its harmonically and tonally very rich and colored. In Germ mode, ratio does not affect timing as it does on the Zener curve.

Outside The Box — Chandler Ltd. Little Devil Compressor

In keeping with its namesake, Little Devil Compressor sports a bright red front panel with all controls are marked +/- 1 to 6 in the playful spirit of the Little Devil concept.

Little Devil Compressor controls:

• Hardwire Bypass: use this switch to easily check between compressed and unprocessed sound as well as adjust unity gain
• FET Compressor: employs concepts from both the Chandler Germanium Comp and the 2264 Comp
• Input Control: works as an attenuator (so in most cases should be set to maximum or higher positions)
• Mix (wet/dry control): mixes unprocessed signal with compressed to simulate parallel compression or sub-mixing right in the unit
• Curve: selects between Zener and Germanium diode knees
• Gain Make Up: works like a fader; compensates for loss of volume, Lowest setting is below unity gain
• Ratio: three positions, from very little to near limiting; in Zener mode, ratio and curve interact (higher ratio = slower timing)
• Attack: continuously variable control purposely set to have a wide range to be musical and natural as possible
• Sidechain Filter: 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, 150Hz, 300Hz selection
• Release switch: three positions; fast, med, slow

Chandler Limited 500-Series Compatibility

All Chandler 500 series units have now been tested and proven to have no power issues in the following racks: API 500V 10-slot with L200 PSU; API 500-6B Lunchbox; API 500-6B HC “new version” Lunchbox; BAE 11-slot with power one supply; BAE 6-slot portable with power one supply; BAE 6-slot with Avedis designed supply; A-Designs 2-slot; Purple Sweet 10; and Empirical Labs 2-slot.

Little Devil EQs and Little Devil Compressors have been upgraded to eliminate the power conflict experienced with some 3rd party racks and lunchboxes. The upgrade has been tested in the racks listed above. Any Little Devil EQ or Little Devil Compressor with compatibility issues can be returned to Chandler Limited for a free upgrade (parts and labor), however, Chandler Limited will not cover shipping costs.

Who’s using Chandler Limited:

Michael Wagener
(Mötley Crüe, Overkill, Accept, Great White, Poison, Alice Cooper, Extreme, Megadeth, Janet Jackson, Ozzy Osbourne, Dokken, Metallica, White Lion, Skid Row)

Chris Hesse
(Hoobastank)

Dan Auerbach
(The Black Keys)

About Chandler Limited

Based in a small Iowa town in the middle of nowhere, Chandler Limited signal-processing equipment is highly regarded for its ability to add the warmth of analog to today’s digital recording process. Chandler Limited works directly with EMI and Abbey Road studios to reintroduce some of the exact equipment used at Abbey Road Studios to record such bands as The Beatles and Pink Floyd.

Priding itself on hand-wiring all their products, Chandler products have been featured prominently in albums, movies, television, and even video games. And now, Chandler Limited enters the 500 race with its new line of 500-series modules for your favorite lunch box. Using all-discrete circuits that combine Chandler’s best designs with the hottest designs from the past; transformer balanced everything; and the American handmade quality you expect, the Chandler Limited 500-series modules will take your lunchbox or rack system to a new level.

If you’re a fan of any of the compressors that inspired it, you’ll love the Chandler Little Devil Compressor. For more information, call or chat with an RSPE representative today.

This product is also available as part of the RSPE Demo 4 Free & Rental Program, click here to see the rental product page.