J. Rockett Audio recently unveiled its latest creation: the AirChild Six Sixty Compressor.
Inspired by the legendary studio compressor Fairchild 660 studio compressor, this pedal promises a richness of sound worthy of the greatest studios, all in a format adapted to the needs of guitarists.
A tribute to the Fairchild 660 studio compressor
The Fairchild 660 is much more than just a studio compressor; it’s a true audio legend. Designed in the 1950s by engineers at Fairchild Recording Equipment Corporation, the Fairchild 660 revolutionized the music industry, offering compression quality unrivalled at the time.
What sets the Fairchild 660 apart from other compressors is its ability to add a unique texture to the sound, thanks to its tube compression circuit, while preserving the dynamics and original character of the recording. Its use was widespread in the greatest recording studios, where it was considered the indispensable tool for shaping the sound of iconic recordings. Today, the Fairchild 660 has become a highly sought-after collector’s item, which partly explains its high price on the second-hand market (€40 or €50,000!!).
The new AirChild Six Sixty Compressor strives to capture this sonic magic, offering guitarists the chance to explore new sonic horizons without having to pay astronomical sums.
Key features of the Airchild Six Sixty Compressor
- Tone: This EQ tilt control offers an extended sound palette, adding treble when turned to the right and bass when turned to the left. This function allows you to sculpt the sound with remarkable precision.
- Blend: Blends the dry signal with the compressed signal, offering total control over the desired effect level. This feature allows guitarists to fine-tune their sound according to their personal preferences, while preserving the natural attack of the note (as could be done with several tracks in a studio using studio compressors).
- Threshold: Controls the amount of compression applied to the signal. This function lets you fine-tune the intensity of the effect, giving you total control over the sound’s dynamics.
- Output: Sets the pedal’s overall output level, offering additional flexibility in the mixing and mastering process.
Note also that the pedal can be used as a clean boost with an EQ, by setting the Blend knob to position 0.
A studio approach to compression
Unlike many compression pedals, which tend to crush the sound like a limiter, the AirChild Sixty Compressor takes a more subtle and refined approach, inspired by the compression techniques used in the studio. By preserving harmonic richness and equalizing transients, this pedal delivers an organic, natural sound that will appeal to the most demanding guitarists.
Retail price: €265
More information on the J. Rockett website…