Joe Meek SC2.2 V4 Stereo Compressor with Dark Mode (Refurbished and Recapped)

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Joe Meek SC2.2 V4 Stereo Compressor with Dark Mode (Refurbished and Recapped)

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OtherCompressorsKeyboards & Sound ModulesVintage DigitalVintage AnalogueEffects & reverbsEqualisersStomp BoxesMiscVintage HiFiInterfacesMonitor speakersB Stock Joe Meek SC2.2 V4 Stereo Compressor with Dark Mode (Refurbished & Recapped)

 
 
 

This SC2.2 has been refurbished with new matched photocells supplied by Ted Fletcher. The power supply has been uprated with bigger reservoir caps & additional decoupling and caps in the audio path have been replaced with high-quality Panasonic bipolar capacitors. The meter bulbs have been replaced wth LEDs
Part of the Joe Meek range of outboard gear, the SC2.2 was designed by famed British engineer Ted Fletcher. These Joe Meek units were built in small quantities but have a big reputation
The SC range is complex and comprises many versions, updates & revisions. The SC.2 is a late, lower-cost version of the SC range and the V4 is a late edition with the legendary Dark Mode which modifies the release characteristic
The SC uses optical devices for gain reduction. Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs or Optos) have long been famed for their smooth response. Their drawback, when compared with FET or VCA compressors, is a relatively slow response, but the response time, and consequent smoothness, is a big part of their appeal

 

I went into my test session expecting drama & lots of colouration but found the SC2.2 to be a subtle, well-behaved unit with a very smooth sound. It took a bit of digging to see what its capable of. In contrast to VCA compressors, where changing ratios gives a subtle, progressive change, the Joe meek slope control gives five very different approaches & sounds. In conjunction with the compression control, slope changes the sound massively.  Dark Mode adds another variable, changing the release response shape. Its hard to pin down in words what it does but its a feature added on later units to give a response similar to that on earlier versions like the V1.07 I have in another auction

 

The SC2.2 tends towards the coloured & more characterful end of the spectrum and is capable of full-blown, pumping compression or dense, swampy glue on the mix bus. It has tons of character and is a great antidote to bland VCA one-trick compressors. I like these compressors a lot & you can count me amongst the converts to the Joe Meek sound
It is VERY coloured in fact, thats kind of the whole point I liked it on clean electric guitars and the drum buss
I like it. But I like heavy, colored compression which the Meek can do
The Dark switch is a nice alternative to mess things up in a good way (guitar drum buss)
I love mine on kick, parallel drum push, bass push, gtr subs, and even the occasional 2 mix (with extreme caution!)
Its colored and it looks good, its colored and it sounds good, you can crank it up all the way and it still sounds good, it has good-sized knobs and an uncluttered front panel, its well-visible and readable from the distance, it has balanced in/outs on XLRs, its downright cheap so you dont have to break the bank after shelling out big bucks for your Main Compressor
My SC2.2 lives on the parallel compression drum buss dark mode on, comp number 3, max compression! Adds a shedload of excitement
If you want to hear a thing of beautyput an RNC (no super nice mode) after the SC2.2 on the drum buss
Joemeek compression is in my opinion some of the nicest sounding, warm/dark compression out there. I truly love the sound that this unit give
The JoeMeek SC2 is a very cool character compressor; its almost more apparent in its timbral coloration than in its gain reduction (though its generally pretty overt in both
My usual task for it is guitar subgroups or vocals for an obvious compressor effect.
I like it. But I like heavy, colored compression (the) which the Meek can do
 It sounds like.. JoeMeek. Its a legitimate sound, a distinct family among compressors. The others are subtler, cleaner, creamier, classier, faster, sturdier, more versatile, more famous, more expensive, more prestigious but JoeMeek is still one of them”
“Oh yeah, theres certain feelgood factor involved, too

LinksUser Manual

 

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/low-end-theory/394054d1397148406-joe-meek-sc2-versions-1-05-1-07-2-02-differences-sc2-2v4.pdf 
Audiofanzine 4.3 Star Reviewhttps://en.audiofanzine.com/studio-compressor/joemeek/SC2.2/user_reviews/

Sonic State reviewhttps://sonicstate.com/digital/comments.cfm?modelID=230

Harmony Central Reviewhttps://www.harmonycentral.com/reviews/product/joemeek-sc-2.2/588112

Big Squeeze Reviewhttp://www.digitalprosound.com/2001/02_feb/features/big_squeeze/big_squeeze9.htm
Russ Long Reviewhttp://www.joemeek.com/sc2.2review.html

TechnicalOpto compressor with a short signal path and electronically-balanced inputs & outputs. True bypass. 220 VAC power input on a standard IEC connector. UK or Euro power cable supplied on request

ConditionIn very good used condition. The unit has minor case scratches and some rack rash but it’s gret condition overall. Refurbished with new matched photocells supplied by Ted Fletcher abd new transistors in the sidechain. Its also been recapped with an uprated power supply & larger bipolar caps in the audio path. Tested & working 100%. Photos show the item for sale

Vintage GearAll vintage gear will have case scratches and marks. It may also have or develop noisy pots and switches, and backup batteries may fail. I make my descriptions as accurate as possible but please understand that vintage gear will not be perfect and adjust your expectations accordingly

Visit our eBay Store!© bn1studioPaymentPayment by PayPal only for postal items and PayPal or cash on collectionShippingCollection from Brighton BN1 or I can send via insured courier. Turnaround up to 3 days, shipping 3-5 daysReturn PolicyItems can be returned within 14 days. Return postage to be paid by the buyer and returned items must be unused, unmarked and as received. Please retain the packaging to reuseCopyrightAll text & images bn1studio except sections in italic which are the property of the original publications. Text & images may not be reproduced without prior permissionOther itemsPlease check my eBay Store for other studio equipment _gsrx_vers_841 (GS 7.0.16 (841))

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Category: Musical Instruments:Pro Audio Equipment:Signal Processors and Effects
Location: Brighton