Thorn Steambass - Flex Bass Compressor

User Manual

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Steambass - Flex Bass Comp. The Thorn Steambass - Flex Bass Comp is a highly flexible and powerful bass compressor designed to enhance your sound with precision and control. This pedal offers a comprehensive set of controls, including Threshold, Amount, Attack, Release, Detail, and Output, allowing you to fine-tune the dynamics of your bass tone to suit any musical style. Whether you're looking for subtle compression or a more aggressive effect, the Steambass gives you the tools to shape your sound exactly how you like it.

The Auto/Manual switch adds even more versatility, giving you the option to let the pedal automatically adjust attack and release timing or manually tweak the timing settings for a more personalized response.

With its intuitive controls and flexible features, the Thorn Steambass - Flex Bass Comp is the perfect tool for bassists looking to add dynamic control and punch to their playing.

Controls

The pedal features a front panel with controls labeled:

1 - Output: 1/4" (6.35 mm) mono output. Use an instrument / patch cable to connect to your next pedal or the input of the amplifier.
2 - 9V DC Power Supply Jack: Connect a regular pedal power supply unit with a 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug, center negative. Battery operation is not possible. Do not connect more than 9 V!
3 - Input: 1/4" (6.35 mm) mono input. Use an instrument cable to connect your guitar or the previous pedal in your effects chain.
4 - THRESHOLD: This control determines the signal level at which compression starts.
5 - AMOUNT: This control determines the amount or intensity of compression applied to the signal.
6 - ATTACK: This control determines how quickly the compression reacts after the threshold is exceeded.
7 - RELEASE: This control determines how quickly the compression is released after the signal falls back below the threshold.
8 - DETAIL: Compressors 'squeeze' (compress) the content of a signal to fit within a certain dynamic range. This means that the relative volume differences between high and low peaks are reduced to produce a more consistent output volume level. When compression is used aggressively, especially when high compression ratios are combined with low threshold settings, low frequency content tends to become more dominant, resulting in a darker overall sound. The high frequency content is still there, but appears to be attenuated. Use the Detail control to counteract this effect and restore and rebalance the high frequency content of the signal. Detail is boost-only, adding up to +15 dB of gain in the upper mid / treble frequency bands to restore the brightness perceived to have been lost due to compression. At lower compression settings, a little Detail can also add definition and 'sparkle' to your sound, helping you to cut through the mix. At 7 o'clock, the Detail control is effectively removed from the circuit and the frequency response is flat and unaffected.
9 - OUTPUT: Use this control to recover volume that might have gotten dampened in the compression.
10 - AUTO/MANUAL Switch: This switch selects the method used to determine the attack and release timing of the compressor. In AUTO mode, the attack and release times are determined automatically based on the envelope of the input signal, and the ATTACK and RELEASE controls are disabled. In MANUAL mode, the attack and release timing is determined by the user-specified settings of the ATTACK and RELEASE controls.
11 - ON/OFF Footswitch & LED: This footswitch activates the pedal (LED above the switch is lit) or switches it to True Bypass (LED off).

Specifications

Input: 1/4" (6.35 mm) mono (TS) jack, impedance = 470 kΩ
Output: 1/4" (6.35 mm) mono (TS) jack, impedance = 2.2 kΩ
Power supply: 9 VDC, 5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel plug, center negative.
Battery operation is not possible.
Do not connect more than 9 V!
Current draw: max. 24 mA
Dimensions: 3.70" x 4.72" x 1.50" (94 x 120 x 38 mm)
Weight: 0.84 lbs (380 g)

Safety Precautions

Power Requirements

Please only use a power supply adapter approved by the manufacturer (9 VDC and center negative polarity).

Only use power supplies that have been approved by the relevant authorities and that meet UL, CSA, VDE or CCC standards. Unplug the power adapter when not in use or during thunderstorms.

We recommend pedal-specific, transformer-isolated wallwart power supplies or multiple isolated-output supplies. Pedals will make extra noise if there is ripple or unclean power. Switching-type power supplies, daisy chains and non-pedal specific power supplies do not filter dirty power as well and will let unwanted noise through.

DO NOT RUN AT HIGHER VOLTAGES!

Storage and Handling

Do not use excessive force to operate the controls of the pedal.
Do not drop the pedal, and avoid placing the pedal in locations where it may be subject to vibrations.
Do not modify the pedal without authorization.
Do not place the pedal in locations exposed to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.
Do not place the pedal in humid or wet environments.
Do not place the pedal in dusty environments.

Cleaning

Clean only with a soft, dry cloth. If necessary, lightly moisten the cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners, cleaning alcohol, paint thinners, wax, solvents, cleaning fluids, or chemical-impregnated wiping cloths.

Connections

Always disconnect the power supply from the pedal and any other equipment before connecting or disconnecting signal cables. Also make sure to disconnect all connection cables and the power supply before moving the pedal.

Warranty

This device has a limited warranty of 2 years to the original owner. Should you encounter any issues, please visit www.thorn-soundlabs.com/warranty.

Recycling

♻️ [WEEE Recycling Symbol] This product carries the selective sorting symbol for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This means that this product must be treated in accordance with European Directive 2012/19/EU in order to be recycled or dismantled to minimize its impact on the environment.

The user has the option of returning the product to a competent recycling organization or to the retailer when purchasing new electrical or electronic equipment.

Important Information

⚠️ [Important Information Symbol] The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.