In 1973, Eventide Clockworks introduced the Omnipressor, the first studio product to encourage the use of dynamics in special effects. It joined Instant Phaser and, shortly thereafter, Instant Flanger in studios around the world. All have been used in countless recordings and are now considered truly classic products. Unlike the Phaser and Flanger, the Omnipressor, with its still unique dynamics inversion, infinite compression, variable gating, and separate "sidechain", was discontinued a few years later. It became both difficult to obtain some of the exclusive parts and even more difficult to explain it to an industry that was much less sophisticated than it is today.

The original Omnipressor was born from an idea by Eventide founder Richard Factor during a conversation with Mark Weiss, one of the scientists investigating the "18-minute loophole" in Nixon's Watergate scandal. The sidechain idea that emerged enabled compression feats that would have been impossible (and unstable) using the compression architecture of the time, but possible to perform using more modern hardware from the 1970s. The earlier "white face (Model 2826)" Omnipressor was not only difficult to explain, but also difficult to use, and soon gave way to a "black face (Model 2830)" unit designed by Jon Paul, another former collaborator of Mark Weiss. This version, after selling a few hundred more, in turn succumbed to the darkness of commercial necessity - what we now call "supply chain" - and became a legend for collectors and a desire for recorders everywhere.

The legend returns

During these few years of production, the 2830 model was a success! Engineers and manufacturers have discovered what is possible by using dynamics as an effect. Many of the original units are still operational.

The desire to have Omnipressor's unique dynamics effects led Factor to first develop hardware emulation using VSIG for Eventide Orville, and later the Eventide development team created the Omnipressor plug-in for Pro Tools. Unfortunately, on an episode of the Gear Club podcast, Factor impulsively suggested that Eventide would re-introduce the classic rack-mount amplifier.

Someone listened!

The original hand-drawn schematics were held in the Eventide archives, and the new model is a faithful replica designed with the same circuitry and the same sound as the original 2830. With supply chain issues resolved after 50 years, you can now find a 2830Au for sale at a similar price to the original.

The new Au model has the ability to connect multiple units and is equipped with audio input and output transformers, which were an expensive option in the original. Other improvements include a universal power supply and a backlit meter. More convenient TRS/XLR connectors replace the original terminal block.

Characteristics:

Dynamics Processing - Capable of creating otherworldly sounds

Dynamic Reversal - First of its kind, soft signals come out loud and loud signals come out quietly, simulating tape reversal, a unique attribute of this versatile compressor.

Function Control - Sets the ratio in a continuous range, allowing for extreme expansion, up to infinite compression, and is even able to push further to dynamic inversion.

Variable attack and release time control

Variable control of maximum gain and maximum attenuation

The sidechain allows you to detect the level of the Omnipressor, which may be driven by another sound source.

Gating - the amplitudes of signals that fall below a set threshold are 'squooshed'

Expansion - widening the dynamic range of the signal, louder becomes louder, quieter becomes quieter.

Compression offers variable control of the compression ratio

Infinite Compression - If you want everything to be at the same level, this is the feature for you.

Limiting - A fast, versatile limiter, useful for keeping your sound loud.

Intuitive interface - clean and easy to use

Connectors:

• XLR and 1/4" Line In
• XLR and 1/4" line output
• XLR and 1/4" Side Chain In
• XLR and 1/4" Side Chain Out
• 1/4" Link In
• 1/4" Link Out

Contents of the package:

• Omnipressor
• American type IEC power cord
• Omnipressor poster
• Omnipressor user manual
• Eventide sticker
• Eventide guitar pick