Turtlerock Forum

I recently picked up an Aphex 9000R loaded with 11 301A modules very cheaply at a local auction place. All the reviews I saw on the 'net suggest they're a good invisible compressor and I figure they will be an upgrade from be!@#$%^& compressors.

Only problem is I have no idea how to wire it up! Does anyone have a wiring diagram for these?

Lateral thinking got me a DBX 900 manual which I assume would have the same connections(?)

Unfortunately, Aphex Systems has recently changed its web site and not all products are listed.

Yeah, I discovered the "discontinued products" tab under support doesn't work.

audioio wrote:Unfortunately, Aphex Systems has recently changed its web site and not all products are listed.

Good score! The aphex compellors are nice units and the 900 version is no different. The pinout conforms to dbx standard though there may be the ability to link channels which will be on one of the two remaining connections. Been too long since I was behind a unit to know which connection that will be but you should be in no danger of damaging the unit if you just connect the pins willy-nilly.

I already have a Dominator across the master bus, I really like what it does to the sound do I figured the Compellors would be good.

How close to the rack mount compellor is the 900 series version? I just installed a F900A yesterday and we're keen to find some interesting modules to fill it with. We're currently only running DBX modules, but there are 3 free spots...

You can borrow my compellor if you want to compare, Owen.

Thanks dude. I don't actually have a 900 series one to compare it with though. Hoping someone here has used both so we don't have to buy one to see if it compares.

You can borrow a pair of the 903s to compare with the Compellor.

Reading on the 'net suggests they're very similar.

obutcher wrote:Thanks dude. I don't actually have a 900 series one to compare it with though. Hoping someone here has used both so we don't have to buy one to see if it compares.

We've got the 903s. Pretty happy with those guys!

Might just read about the different versions on the net.

Compellors are amazing. Acoustic guitars, room ambience, mix buss, bv's. All good candidates for Compelling.

And don't forget you can get expressors and dominators in the 900 format too. All incredibly potent processors in tiny footprints....

Hey Myles, you are right! I love the Dominators for parrallel drum squish. Also fantastic on piano, believe it or not. This is where the multiband limiting really shines.
The Expressors can do anything you like, very controllable.
The DBX 903 are essentially a 160 in a small format. Very easy to use and sound as good as a DBX vca comp can. (not that good, in my opinion, but useful level control).
I was enjoying the DBX 900 rack until it blew its power supply yesterday. The Aphex's require more current than the DBX modules. With 6 Aphex's and three DBX modules in the rack, the PSU finally burnt out. It took a good 6 months of constant use though!
I am going to either rebuild the PSU so it can handle the current demand or look for an Aphex rack.
So that's my tip. Great gear. great format, just watch out for the power demands.
Hope you are well Myles!

bugger! The aphex power supplies do pop up on ebay often on their own too so you should be able to grab one and they are beefy 2ru units so shouldn't be falling over anytime soon. Otherwise you could make one from a jlm kit, a hefty power tx and a big heatsink. Thats what I power my 500 series racks with and I get a couple of amps of juice out of them.