BECOS CompIQ TWAIN Pro Dual Band Stacked Compressor Pedal with DITOS for Bass and Guitar
The CompIQ TWAIN MK2 is an advanced tool for analog dynamic audio processing of bass, guitar, and keyboard signals, among other applications. Its extensive features provide exceptional control over compression parameters, enabling users to achieve outstanding sound quality and tonal characteristics. With its Auto Timing settings, the TWAIN is easy to set up and adjust for professional results. At the flip of a switch, the TWAIN can function either as a dual-band compressor/limiter with a variable crossover point or as two stacked compressors with separate controls for each. The DITOS Transformer-Coupled Balanced Output DI uses ultra-quiet FET Burr-Brown™ technology and advanced line drivers for high performance, signal conditioning, and a warm, musical tone. The 1/4″ TRS output supports direct recording, connection to a mixing console, or acts as an unbalanced floating output with a 1/4″ TS mono plug for linking to another pedal or amplifier. It includes an internal ground-lift jumper to resolve ground-loop noise; we recommend leaving the jumper on unless internal circuit ground lift is needed. When the main VCA output is in true bypass, DITOS still receives input from it, functioning as a consecutive device. Twain and DITOS share active components, even without the DITOS balanced output installed. This always-connected active load results in a slight signal level difference between Twain’s powered and non-powered VCA output true bypass. When not powered, the DITOS can’t output any signal. CompIQ 101 Settings Examples Built around the top-tier 4320 Analog Engine® from THAT Corp. and Texas Instruments Burr-Brown™ FET technology, the CompIQ TWAIN MK2 offers compression parameters that are available on professional studio equipment. In addition to its dual-band processing capabilities, the pedal’s two independent analog engines can be stacked in series to attain the enhanced gluing character typically found in smooth optical compressors. The CompIQ TWAIN offers more than just compression, it includes preamp-like functions to enhance your instrument’s tone without needing a separate EQ. By adjusting the processing levels on each band, you can easily de-balance Lows and Highs around the crossover point and blend Dry over the compressed Wet-line. This technique adds dynamic character while preserving the original tone of the instrument. The preamp section lets you adjust the input signal level to control how much the compressors engage. Strong signals can trigger compression too early, and the preamp offers up to -12dB of padding. Weaker signals can be boosted by up to +12dB of gain to help with less powerful passive pickups. The preamp works on both Wet and Dry lines simultaneously and can act as a simple one-knob balancer when switching between instruments. A Peak-level indicator signals Green at -2dBu, showing the strength of the input signal, considering the preamp’s amplification or cutting. It turns Red when Twain’s output stages hit +2dBu due to the preamp and make-up gains acting in series. Intermittent Green and Red signals indicate a fairly leveled, cleanly processed signal. If both thresholds are reached simultaneously, the indicator turns Orange. If Orange or Red indication is steady, level readjustments may be needed for an optimal professional line-level signal. The Twain MK2 offers two selectable compression modes for both Lows and Highs engines, with an additional combination of Feed Forward for Lows and Feed-Back for Highs. Feed Forward mode emphasizes speed and accuracy, using a pre-VCA input signal copy and can range from subtle compression to brick-wall limiting. Feed-Back mode provides a smooth and transparent response for evening out dynamics, using a post-VCA signal copy, and is ideal for low-to-medium compression ratios. Though Feed-Back mode is less suited for hard peak-limiting, it can still act as a genuine soft limiter by adjusting the threshold, using a hard knee, selecting a higher ratio, setting fast timing, and boosting the side chain filter’s control signal. Both modes sound clean and natural, free from pumping, breathing, distortion, or other artifacts. Additional improved features are have been introduced for the side-chain processing. A variable Lo-cut/boost filter (±12dB @ 70Hz, 12dB/octave) is available on the Lows engine. This filter prevents high-amplitude low frequencies from touching the threshold too early, which can cause over-compression of the upper-frequency elements. Cutting lows in the side-chain reduces compression in the lows at the output, naturally restoring overall signal energy. Conversely, boosting lows in the side-chain helps increasing compressor sensitivity for lower-level signals. A matching variable Hi-cut/boost filter (±9dB @ 3kHz, 12dB/octave) on the Highs side-chain engine further refines this balance. Cutting highs in the side-chain prevents their over-compression, maintaining natural audio brightness at the output, while boosting highs in the side-chain increases Highs compressor’s sensitivity to these frequencies, which helps with over-bright instruments. When both Side Chain Filters are set to cutting, the compressor remains more sensitive to mid-frequencies, resulting in more compression in this range. With filter knobs set at noon, the side chain processing uses the full-frequency range signal derived from the input. These advanced features help manage compression across lows, mids, and highs, providing dynamic impact without unwanted pumping and maintaining general audio balance. The CompIQ TWAIN offers independent controls for Hard/Soft Compression Knee, a 50dB Threshold range for instruments and line-level sources, continuous Ratio selection from 1:1 to limiting, and up to +20dB of Make-up Gain. The inclusion of Dynamic Auto Timing (Fast / Slower presets) for both bands reduces setup complexity of a dual-band compressor and provides a musical response that is suitable for virtually any musical application. Two independent 4320 THAT Analog Engines® with RMS-level sensors coupled with high-performance Blackmer® VCA’s Functions as Dual-Band compressor or Stacking compressors in series Input Preamp with trimming for -12dB of attenuation and up to +12dB of gain Peak level indicator for signals above -2dBu at input preamp and +2dBu at final output buffer Variable 70Hz to 1KHz Linkwitz–Riley Crossover Independent Ratio, Threshold, and Make-up Gain Independent Compression Knee (Soft/Hard) Independent Dynamic Auto Timing presets (Auto Fast / Auto Slower) Selectable Feed Forward / Feed-Back / Combined compression mode Side Chain Frequency Compensation for balancing the triggering potential of Lows & Highs – equivalent to a frequency-based progressive threshold Side Chain Filters with cut & boost function on Lows and Highs engines Dry / Wet Mix knob for parallel compression in either of the working modes 6-LED gain reduction display on each band True Bypass on/off footswitch 9-18V DC external power supply (not included), center negative, 12mm long barrel plug Road-ready, durable, black-powdered aluminum enclosure (Hammond) DITOS transformer-coupled balanced output (10KΩ impedance, +6dB default gain; can function as floating unbalanced output as well) Hand-assembled in Vienna, Austria