Walrus Audio Deep Six Compressor V3 Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

The Walrus Audio Deep Six Compressor V3 is a high-quality, studio-grade compressor pedal designed for electric guitar. It provides dynamic control and sustain, inspired by classic studio compression units, while offering user-friendly controls in a compact stompbox format. This manual provides essential information for the proper setup, operation, and maintenance of your Deep Six Compressor V3.

Key Features:

• True bypass studio-grade compressor for transparent signal integrity.
• Integrated tone knob (bass cut) for precise low-end shaping of your guitar signal.
• Soft switch/relay bypassing ensures smooth and reliable operation.
• Convenient top-mounted input and output jacks for efficient pedalboard layout.
• Updated aesthetic design by Adam Forster.

2. Safety Information

Please read and understand the following safety precautions before using your Deep Six Compressor V3:

• Use only a 9V DC, center-negative power supply with a minimum of 100mA. Using an incorrect power supply may damage the unit and void the warranty.
• Do not expose the pedal to water, moisture, or extreme temperatures.
• Do not attempt to open or service the unit yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.
• Keep out of reach of children.

3. Package Contents

The Walrus Audio Deep Six Compressor V3 package includes:

• Walrus Audio Deep Six Compressor V3 pedal

4. Product Overview and Controls

The Deep Six Compressor V3 features intuitive controls for shaping your guitar's dynamics and tone.

Image: Front view of the Walrus Audio Deep Six Compressor V3 pedal, showcasing its light green enclosure, dark red graphic of a deep-sea diver, and five black control knobs labeled Level, Tone, Sustain, Blend, and Attack. A silver footswitch is visible at the bottom.

Control Knobs:

• Level: Adjusts the overall output volume of the pedal. Use this to match the volume with your bypassed signal or to provide a boost.
• Tone: This knob acts as a bass cut filter. Turning it clockwise reduces the low-end frequencies, allowing you to fine-tune the pedal's response to different guitars and amplifiers.
• Sustain: Controls the amount of compression applied to your signal. Higher settings result in more sustain and a more compressed sound.
• Blend: Mixes the compressed signal with your dry (uncompressed) signal. This allows you to retain the natural attack and dynamics of your guitar while still benefiting from compression. Fully counter-clockwise is 100% dry, fully clockwise is 100% wet (compressed).
• Attack: Determines how quickly the compressor reacts to the initial transient of your notes. Slower attack settings allow more of the initial pick attack to pass through before compression engages, while faster settings compress the attack more quickly, resulting in a smoother, more rounded sound.

Jacks and Footswitch:

• Input Jack: Connect your guitar or other instrument here.
• Output Jack: Connect to your amplifier or the next pedal in your signal chain.
• 9V DC Power Input: Connect your 9V DC, center-negative power supply.
• Footswitch: Engages or bypasses the effect. The Deep Six V3 features soft switch/relay bypassing for smooth transitions.

5. Setup

Follow these steps to set up your Deep Six Compressor V3:

1. Ensure your amplifier is turned off or at a low volume.
2. Connect your guitar to the Input jack on the Deep Six V3 using a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable.
3. Connect the Output jack of the Deep Six V3 to your amplifier's input or the next pedal in your signal chain using another 1/4-inch instrument cable.
4. Connect a 9V DC, center-negative power supply (minimum 100mA) to the power input jack. The pedal's internal voltage is doubled to 18 volts for increased headroom.
5. Turn on your amplifier and adjust the volume to your desired level.

6. Operation

Once connected, you can begin to explore the sonic possibilities of the Deep Six Compressor V3.

Basic Operation:

• Press the footswitch to engage the effect. The LED indicator will illuminate.
• Start with the Level and Blend knobs at noon, Sustain at a lower setting, and Attack at a medium setting.
• Adjust the Sustain knob to increase or decrease the amount of compression. Higher settings will provide more sustain and a more squashed sound.
• Use the Attack knob to control the initial punch of your notes. Slower attack settings (counter-clockwise) allow more of the initial pick attack to come through, while faster settings (clockwise) will compress the attack more quickly, resulting in a smoother, more rounded sound.
• The Blend knob is crucial for maintaining clarity. If you find the compressed sound too artificial or lacking dynamics, blend in more of your dry signal by turning the knob counter-clockwise. This is particularly useful with high-output pickups or active instruments to prevent unwanted distortion.
• Utilize the Tone knob to fine-tune the low-end response. If your compressed signal sounds too boomy or muddy, turn the Tone knob clockwise to cut bass frequencies.

Tips for Optimal Tone:

• Experiment with different knob settings to find the compression style that suits your playing and genre.
• For subtle compression, use lower Sustain settings and blend in more dry signal.
• For a more pronounced, squashed sound, increase Sustain and decrease Blend.
• The internal 18V headroom provides ample clean compression, but careful adjustment of the Blend knob can further prevent distortion with very hot signals.

7. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Deep Six Compressor V3, follow these maintenance guidelines:

• Cleaning: Wipe the pedal with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.
• Storage: Store the pedal in a dry environment, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
• Power: Always disconnect the power supply when the pedal is not in use for extended periods.
• Service: There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Do not open the enclosure.

8. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your Deep Six Compressor V3, refer to the following troubleshooting steps:

• No Sound:
  • Check all cable connections (guitar, amplifier, power supply).
  • Ensure the power supply is correctly connected and providing 9V DC, center-negative power.
  • Verify that the footswitch is engaged (LED illuminated).
  • Test with different cables and a different power supply if possible.
  • Bypass the pedal to check if the issue is with other equipment in your signal chain.
• Unwanted Noise/Hum:
  • Ensure you are using a regulated, isolated power supply. Daisy-chaining with other noisy pedals can introduce hum.
  • Check for faulty cables.
  • Ensure proper grounding of your amplifier and other equipment.
• Distortion at High Settings:
  • Reduce the Sustain knob setting.
  • Increase the Blend knob setting (counter-clockwise) to mix in more dry signal.
  • This can be more noticeable with high-output pickups; the Blend control is designed to mitigate this.

If the problem persists after trying these steps, please contact Walrus Audio customer support.

9. Specifications

10. Warranty and Support

Warranty Information:

The Walrus Audio Deep Six Compressor V3 comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Please refer to the official Walrus Audio website for full warranty terms and conditions.

Customer Support:

For technical assistance, troubleshooting beyond this manual, or warranty claims, please visit the official Walrus Audio website or contact their customer support directly.

You can find more information about Walrus Audio products and support at the Walrus Audio Store.