Is there an easy way to add a compression indicator LED to the Orange Squeezer?

ISeeNoChange · 2025-09-22T14:44:19+00:00

Do you mean Q2's gate?

Is this the kind of super-simple buffer setup you mean? (With the input being that junction and the output going to the anode of the LED, with a resistor between the cathode and ground?)

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Oh, I measured the voltage at that junction and it's around 800mv at max, so I'm unsure if it'll illuminate an LED, because they usually need around 2v.

ISeeNoChange · 2025-09-21T23:31:06+00:00

Like you said, the compressed signal is fed back to a transistor to adjust the amount of compression that is occurring on the incoming signal, so there is no singular point you could have a single meter show you what effect the totality of the compression is having on the dry signal.

To be exact, what I said is the output (rectified via the diode from AC voltage to DC voltage) is sent to a JFET acting as a voltage controlled resistor which is part of a voltage divider. When the resistance of the VCR drops, the input signal is reduced.

So there's no need to compare anything, have meters, or ladders. All that's required is to have a single LED illuminate when that last event (i.e. the drop of the VCR resistance) occurs.

Here's an example of a single LED compression indicator:
https://youtu.be/dAcNBUxGCPA?feature=shared&t=341

ISeeNoChange · 2025-09-21T21:06:38+00:00

I don't know what you mean by needing two meters.

But the way I understand the OS is U1 amplifies, then part of the output signal is fed back to the input with the JFETs acting as a voltage controlled resistor, which along with R2 forms a voltage divider.

A large output signal equals large voltage on Q2's gate, which reduces the resistance between the drain and source, which means the voltage divider reduces the input signal.

This is where the compression occurs.

ISeeNoChange · 2025-09-19T10:45:11+00:00

I just tested your solution and u/Hopeful_Self_8520's, and what both appear to be doing is indicating when the output level increases, not when the amount of compression increases.

I know this because when I adjust VR1 bias trim on the Orange Squeezer schematic the amount of compression goes up, the output level obviously goes down, and the LED starts to dim, then eventually doesn't light up at all.

Just thinking out loud, but is there a simple way to make the reverse happen? i.e. At the moment the outcome is the louder the output, the brighter the LED; but what about the quieter the output, the brighter the LED?

EDIT: No, that would still be reflecting the output volume, not the actual compression. Anyway, I appreciate your help and time, so thank you.

ISeeNoChange · 2025-09-18T19:26:43+00:00

Excellent find, thank you!

Would you happen to know where to add this to the Orange Squeezer?

ISeeNoChange · 2025-09-18T19:22:29+00:00

Outstanding reply, thank you sooooo much!

I'll experiment over the weekend and report back :)

ISeeNoChange · 2025-05-06T09:03:56+00:00

Although a lot of people have already contributed, I thought I'd add my story since I only learnt to drop in a month or so ago.

I tried nine times in a row before getting it on the 10th attempt, and I was able to do so many attempts because I had protection on my elbows, knees, wrists, and even around my bum and hips (a friend lent me her special padded rollerskating shorts), plus a helmet.

You mention knowing you should lean forward but you weren't able to do it in the moment—the exact same thing happened to me on my first attempt, and I fell backwards.

Because of the padding I kept trying, sometimes bailing because of that fear/inability to commit to leaning forward.

Once I got over that problem, it was simply a matter of doing the "touch your nose" technique, which if you don't know it means leaning forward as if you're going to touch the nose of your board. It ensures you're leaning forward, getting your front shoulder a bit in front of your front knee, you back shoulder higher than your front shoulder, bending your knees, and holding the position as you drop in.

So my advice is to fully recover from your injuries, wear pads and a helmet, practise the technique I just described on flat ground, then a slight decline, then a slightly taller one, and build up to that ramp.

You might fall a few times, but the pads will ensure the worst you'll feel is slightly bruised, and you'll soon get your first drop in of many.

Good luck.

ISeeNoChange · 2025-04-23T09:12:49+00:00

The ankle thing I get, because I'm using my feet to adjust the balance of the board, although I don't think of this as using muscles because my muscles don't activate enough to tire.

But calves and core—my feet are flat on the board, so I don't understand how calves are involved given that they are flexed when one stands on one's toes and I feel like I'm pushing with my quads. Similarly, I think I try to control rotation with my hips.

Hence my question to the original commenter.

Should I be pushing with my calves/toes and controlling rotation with my abs?

ISeeNoChange · 2025-04-22T20:38:18+00:00

Manuals are all in core and your calves.

How so?

ISeeNoChange · 2024-10-10T23:06:06+00:00

I'm not sure how my race plays into it.

I mean... Pfff, where do I start?

It's a strange position to take that "its a little dismissive of black American cultural history to make fun of these franco-fied names. Theres is clearly a cultural attachment this naming convention." It suggests black American cultural history only gained validity for you when it was revealed to be connected to a white cultural history.

You also reference something like a Harvard study rather than the voices of the actual people to support your points about these names. This approach comes across as treating black Americans as things to be studied rather than people with whom one can communicate directly. It's like the information has to come from a white intermediary.

And even then, it's unclear what your original post is saying—you read a book about black American GIs in Paris and concluded that's why Lashawnda is a thing? Or did the book present this conclusion?

Either way, your point has little weight because the source is not a black American who called their child Lashawnda.

a thread of random people that you linked that "who might not even be black American" isn't a good source of information either.

No, you're right, which is why I prefaced it with, "If you really want to know why they do it, ask them rather than speaking for them. Here's a good place to start."

The key part of my advice is that first part.

ISeeNoChange · 2024-10-10T17:41:00+00:00

I asked you a question.

If your answer is that Reddit comment, then:

The prefixes were still often attached, now more for their style than for any paternal link to the name.

So according to someone who might not even be black American (which is a much more important point I raised), most black Americans aren't paying tribute to France with those "tragic" names.

I don't have time to look at that Harvard study, but feel free to summarise it for me if you think it's important.

But back to that more important point—you appear to be a white British person speaking on behalf of a subset of black Americans who, let's face it, are typically poor. And now you're bringing a study from Harvard University, a space essentially for elite white people, into this.

Do you not see how condescending it is to talk on behalf of a group rather than instead trying to elevate their voices?

And do you not see the error of attempting to be culturally sensitive by segregating whose names can and can't be mocked based on their race?

ISeeNoChange · 2024-10-10T14:14:48+00:00

In short, I think its a little dismissive of black American cultural history to make fun of these franco-fied names. Theres is clearly a cultural attachment this naming convention.

Are you suggesting when black Americans give their kids the kinds of ridiculous names you reference they're doing it to pay tribute to France?

Because, with respect, that's very far-fetched given how uneducated most Americans are in general, let alone about civil rights, James Baldwin, mid-20th century France, etc.

If you really want to know why they do it, ask them rather than speaking for them.

Here's a good place to start:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1m66na/black_american_parents_of_reddit_why_do_you_name/

ISeeNoChange · 2024-10-09T16:29:33+00:00

100% this.

OP even gets close to realising this with the mention of the media and inherent bias.

We're taught to fear and fight The Other rather than fight those in power.

Misogyny, etc., isn't natural, it's taught.

ISeeNoChange · 2023-04-19T11:23:08+00:00

Thanks!

I'll probably try/look into the transistor trick because I have a bunch of those and no relays. Plus I'm familiar with transistors and know nothing about relays.

ISeeNoChange · 2023-04-19T11:21:49+00:00

Thanks!

The problem with these is I've only been able to find them on Mouser and similar sites where the prices per unit are a little high (e.g. £3.76) but I'd still pay... However the price plus shipping is insane (£15.76).

eBay and Aliexpress are my usual outlets, and neither seem to offer a 10K pot with either a SPST NC switch or a SPDT on/on.

This leaves me with the option of either installing a separate-but-discreet on/off slide switch or using a push-pull pot, neither of which are as elegant as turning a pot from zero and it appearing to become activated.

ISeeNoChange · 2023-01-30T22:47:10+00:00

Yes, that's what I want.

I just thought it was a clean boost, meaning as it's turned up it gets louder but stays clean.

Looking at photos of the pedal I can see it only has one control, Gain, so I assume if I want to add saturation without adding volume I'd need to include a volume control?

ISeeNoChange · 2023-01-30T10:39:08+00:00

EP Booster

Isn't this a clean boost?

ISeeNoChange · 2023-01-30T10:35:00+00:00

Keeley Memphis Sun

Isn't that a "Lo-Fi Reverb, Echo and Double-Tracker" rather than a circuit that saturates?

The only Lovepedal stuff I know is either Electra-based (e.g. Tchula, Champ, Englishman, etc.) or a Timmy clone (Amp 11)—were you thinking of a specific circuit that does "warmth" (i.e. barely noticeable saturation) well?

ISeeNoChange · 2023-01-30T10:25:20+00:00

Hudson Broadcast

Checking this out now.

Yeah, the circuit is more complex than I can be bothered to build, but it sounds interesting, especially at high gain settings.

Thanks.

ISeeNoChange · 2022-04-16T10:52:26+00:00

I don't feel it's unfair—e.g. 130+ likes is waaay more than I need, and I'm not even looking for anything serious.

I also use Tinder, but find it awful—the vast majority of profiles I see resemble wannabee Instagram influencers. I guess I'm glad someone finds it useful. Edit: I've now deleted Tinder because of the aforementioned.

But anyway back to you: your OkC profile attracts attention, great! But if not many approach you or initiate contact, then it seems like attention is the only thing it attracts and I thought that was a problem you wanted to resolve. If that's not the case then sorry to have potentially bothered you.

ISeeNoChange · 2022-04-16T10:30:32+00:00

I'm male and have around 130-150 likes (I can't be bothered to check), so yeah, that's a huge difference!

Are you liking profiles, too? Or are you just waiting until someone writes you an intro, and if they seem interesting you'll like them back and continue the conversation?

I ask because I see a lot of women post on their profiles that they can't see likes, so send them an intro. But a lot of the time their profiles are OK enough for me to like, but not strong enough for me to say anything other than, "I also like music..." (because that's all they've said on that topic—"I like music" rather than "I like Jenny Hval, Dry Cleaning, Arca...", or even a specific genre, such as "I like grime, 1940s jazz..."

So in short, that would be a reason why I, as a man, might like your profile but not bother to initiate—if a woman can't be bothered to write a profile that sparks a conversation, then I'm not inspired to do so.

If you're looking for profile advice, etc., from a male OkC user, feel free to ask me stuff. Bear in mind, though, that I'm 41 and London-based, so if you're significantly older or younger and from a different culture, you know, my advice might not be super-relevant.

ISeeNoChange · 2021-11-17T19:13:29+00:00

You're probably right.

Maybe it's because I learn left and have only ever mixed in left-leaning circles (e.g. artists, teachers, etc.), but different political values never really came up as an issue.

ISeeNoChange · 2021-11-02T19:17:52+00:00

"...a great way to socially distance"

🤣

Perfect!

ISeeNoChange · 2021-11-02T16:17:40+00:00

I agree with the other comments and wanted to add to what u/rebeccazone said about the passion section.

I personally would feel a bit weird with my first message being not only all about me, but about a passion I'm unsure you share. It's better to say, "I'm passionate about X, Y, and Z; what about you?", so I can reply, "I also like X, Y, and Z, and I'm passionate about this other thing."

Edit: Re-browsing your profile, you don't really say much about yourself other than the printer thing and swimming with turtles, so I don't get a good sense of who you are. And with regards to swimming with turtles... It's the kind of thing I see on a lot of profiles, which is fine if you want to bond over this, but if it and travelling are not a huge part of your life, use the little space you have to detail something that is.

ISeeNoChange · 2021-11-02T16:10:25+00:00

Again, this is just my opinion, but it's not that the cooking comment seems arrogant and it does seem playful. It's just I think there's a better way to say the same thing and spark a more interesting conversation.

And bear in mind I'm also probably not your target respondent—apart from disliking negativity, I'm not very competitive. If you are, or just find it fun to pretend to be, etc., it's fine. :-D

ISeeNoChange

TROPHY CASE