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Let the Quanalog Optopus analog stereo compressor anchor your mix in a sea of possibilities.
Designed to capture the essence of classic studio compressors, the Optopus is finely tuned for subtle studio applications as well as keeping your sound in check during live performance sessions.
The unit has controls for input, attack, release, threshold, ratio and make-up gain. All well and good, and all part of the standard compressor repertoire. However, being a compressor in the modular world obviously invites some fun new ways to perform and experiment. This means it's not just a "set and forget" kind of deal. The unit has CV inputs for threshold and reduction levels. Try combining this with a step sequencer for instance and you've got some pretty interesting ways to explore the topic of compression.
In designing the Optopus, Quan wanted to create a musical-sounding compressor inspired by classic compressors like the LA2A and the 1176. If we are to believe Quan's own words, the Optopus is supposed to be a very transparent sounding unit without any harsh distortion. It also maintains a transparent, uncolored signal path when compression is inactive. Once compression is active, it adds a touch of warmth and cohesion to your mix. You also get a side-chain EQ that can make the compressor "listen" to a selectable frequency range, dialed in with the Side-Chain EQ knob.
The Optopus comes in the same black and gold finish as previous Quanalog units. As a final touch, the unit also features an analog VU meter. A nice detail that not only pays homage to its vintage cousins, but also serves as its own function.
Our verdict? Optopus is a truly versatile tool that lets you refine your mixes and explore compression in new ways!
Quanalog is the modular synth company run by the Montreal-based Nguyen Do Minh Quan since 2018. Quanalog modules tend to go beyond the basics and combine several functionalities in one module.
