The Electro-Harmonix Platform Stereo Compressor Limiter presents a versatile and powerful studio-quality compressor enclosed in a stompbox-sized package. Use the Platform’s compressor limiter on any instrument, such as guitar, bass, or keyboards, for precise and powerful control of your signal’s volume. Engage the Drive and Swell functions to tailor further and enhance your sound. Whether you’re on stage, in the studio, putting together a podcast, or creating your next YouTube masterpiece, the Platform will help you get the job done. Features Studio-quality compressor limiter lets the user precisely tune dynamics regardless of the instrument or situation. The compressor limiter includes a full complement of controls: Volume, Attack, Release, and Sustain, plus pushbuttons for Hard or Soft Knee and the Limiter. The foot-switchable overdrive section adds versatility and includes dedicated controls for Volume, Tone, and Drive. Together with the compressor it produces a sound that’s saturated, smooth, and slippery. The adjustable Swell function creates bowed, fade-in, and reverse effects. True stereo operation, can be used as Mono In and Out, Mono In and Stereo Out, or Stereo In and Stereo Out. It features a three-color, eight-LED compression meter that displays the compressor’s actual gain reduction in real time. It contains a stereo-buffered bypass that’s great for keeping your signal pristine with multiple pedal setups and long cable runs. Controls The Knee button changes the compression/limiting curve to produce a compression sound that is either more or less transparent. The limiter button engages the limiter. The Volume Knob (Main Output Level) controls the master volume. Use this control to balance your level between bypass and effect mode. The ATTACK knob sets the amount of time delay before the compressor limiter is activated once the input signal level reaches or exceeds the threshold setting. While the compressor limiter are acting on the signal, the input may drop below the threshold setting and cause the compressor to cease working on the signal. The compressor does not stop working immediately, though. Rather, it gradually stops over a period that is set by the Release knob. The Sustain knob adjusts the compression ratio in Compressor Mode. It adjusts the threshold level in Limiter Mode. Volume Knob (Drive Level) controls the output volume of the Drive section. The Tone knob adjusts the frequency response of the overdrive's hi-cut filter, allowing you to dial in the perfect overdrive tone. The Drive Knob controls the input gain of the overdrive section. The Swell Knob adjusts fade-in time. The Drive footswitch allows you to engage or bypass the overdrive section. When the Drive is engaged, the white LED above the Drive footswitch lights up. The bypass footswitch and LED let you toggle between effect mode and bypass. Plug your instrument output or another effects pedal into the R Input jack. The Right output signal is sent through the R Output jack. Plug your instrument or output from another effects pedal into the Mono or L Input jack. The Left output signal is sent through the Mono or L Output jack.