Aphex 1404 Punch Factory Optical Compression Pedal

by Aphex

Product Features

• Gives clean, transparent compression for all instruments
• Punch through the mix, live or studio, with enhanced tone and total dynamic control

Product Details

• Item Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• ASIN: B0002GU5CK
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,521 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #53 in Musical Instruments > Instrument Accessories > Guitar & Bass Accessories > Effects > Electric Guitar Effects > Single Effects > Compression

Product Description

There are many, ways to build a compressor. Various devices can be used to create the core circuit that controls the gain of the compressor in response to a control signal. Each type of device has its own advantages and disadvantages. Every available technology has produced popular compressors over the years. However, one of the most beloved types of compressors is the ?optical compressor?. An optical compressor is created from the combination of a light sensitive resistor called a photocell, and a controllable light source such as a small light bulb or LED. Devices called optocouplers combine a photocell and light source inside a light-proof package. The photocell changes its resistivity depending upon the intensity of the light. Attack, Release & Memory Compressors are said to be ?attacking? when they are in the act of reducing the gain and ?releasing? when the gain is recovering, or rising back up after an attack. Photocells exhibit a function called ?memory?. When just a few brief attacks have been experienced, the photocell recovers quite fast, bringing back the level more quickly. However, after repeated and constant attacking, the photocell builds up a memory of the light pulses and recovers more gradually. This helps to smooth out the compression and preserve the quality of the sound. The optocoupler used in the Punch Factory is made especially for Aphex. It has unique characteristics that are unusually good for music instrument compression. That me...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THIS BASSIST'S FAVORITE STAGE COMPRESSOR!, December 13, 2010

By 

David L. Vasser (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aphex 1404 Punch Factory Optical Compression Pedal

I have used loads of different compressors. The APHEX PUNCH FACTORY is my favorite stage compressor for the following reasons. 1-There are only TWO KNOBS, set it to the instrument and then forget it. 2-It runs off about any power source, if the plug fits the power jack, then it works. Of course it will run off a 9 volt battery but it will even run off a Phantom Microphone power feed from a mixer and no other bass compressor I ever used would do that. 3-It has an XLR out so you can use it as a direct box for recording or to feed the PA (which is handy if your vintage amp doesn't have an XLR out. 4-It has the LED meter so you can see the level of compression clearly which makes it very easy to set the drive level. 5-This compressor sounds as good as the far more expensive Keeley and Demeter optical compressor pedals and is built around the same principle, optical compression!

After 4 years, here is what I don't like about the Aphex Punch Factory pedal. 1-The guitar in and amp out jacks are PLASTIC "soldered to the circuit board" type jacks such as you see on really cheap guitar amps. Other pro caliber pedals DON'T do this and I'm mystified that a pro gear company with a well deserved and hard earned reputation like Aphex would do this, but they do it on all their guitar pedals including the Aphex Bass Exciter which I also use for direct recording only. 2-The Active/Passive Switch and Ground Lift Switches on the Punch Factory Compressor can be accidentally depressed when inserting cables as they are right next to the jacks, so watch that! 3-The jacks and all controls are crammed onto the back of the pedal while I would have preferred the in/out quarter-inch jacks to have been placed on the side of the pedal. In spite of those few downers, I love this pedal and I sold the other compressor pedals because I don't need them! The Punch Factory is just so simple and sounds so good that I can't do without it or without it's built-in LED meter.

To get around the plastic jack issue (which I consider the most serious issue it has) I put it on a pedal board in between a Wirlwind Selector A/B/Y switch (I gig with 2 basses) and a Tech 21 Sans Amp Bass Driver Deluxe. Therefore there is no plugging and unplugging required for me. If you are not going to similarly isolate it from constant plugging and unplugging then I suggest you "baby" the jacks.

You can not go into any top recording studio or music oriented radio station without seeing Aphex processing gear in the effects racks. They are a well respected company in the pro sound, broadcast and recording field, however I just wish they had taken musicians more seriously and used better jacks for the guitar pedals and I also wish they had put the guitar in and the amp out jacks on the opposing left and right sides instead of cramming everything onto the back.

I love the Punch Factory's ease of use, ease in setup and totally professional sound so I simply leave it on all the time! I just don't understand why they "cheaped-out" on the critical in/out quarter inch jacks.

If this one blew up or was stolen, I'd be buying another one. The metering function is indispensable to me. When you use a bunch of different instruments that meter enables you to set the drive level accurately and quickly no matter what instrument you plug into it. I don't even have to HEAR the instrument to set the drive level the way I want it.

ONE TIP: To avoid a compressor emphasizing noise from all your other pedals and effects, ALWAYS put the compressor FIRST IN THE PEDAL CHAIN!

I can not give this pedal FIVE STARS because of the plastic jack issue and cramming everything onto the back of the pedal. So I give it FOUR AND ONE-HALF stars. There is room for improvement in build quality, but not in performance as this is the perfect sounding bass compressor.

Bassists can do a LOT worse than this pedal as a stage compressor. Adding MORE knobs does NOT make a compressor pedal a better stage compressor! So far as I'm concerned this is the one and I don't hesitate recommending it for what it does. Based on my experiences I will always use an OPTICAL compressor for my rig and for as long as I can get an Aphex Punch Factory then that is the optical compressor I will use.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best compressor ever, September 25, 2010

By 

Vinko Buble "maestro" (Lexington, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Aphex 1404 Punch Factory Optical Compression Pedal

So simple, and works so great. I am bass player, and tried few compressors before, even expensive ones. This one beats every other. Just plug your bass guitar, play E string bit harder and set the Compressor meter to barely touch -10. Set output to desired level based on your amplifier and other settings, and boom. That thing works. Have fun!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pedal, February 24, 2009

By 

Oscar R. Vasquez (Miami, Fl) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Aphex 1404 Punch Factory Optical Compression Pedal

This is awesome, it does not alter your tone, it is transparent, clear as water, if you need a comp that does not change your tone, this is it, true by pass, check it out!!