Q: Why so many control knobs on the Dual Band Optical Compressor?
A: On the proto-types that I built, I wanted to have full control of the compressors parameters just like the rack units that I was use to. I don’t think that there is a “one size fits all” when it comes to compressor attack and release times and I also like having the crossover frequency adjustable. To have all of these parameters adjustable required 5 knobs each for both the low and high band compressors and a knob for the variable crossover frequency.
Q: What is optical compression?
A: Optical compressors use a photocell (photo-resistive cell) and a light source projected onto the photocell to vary the value of resistance inversely proportional to the light intensity. This varying resistance is used to attenuate the audio signal. Optical compression is still favored by many recording studios for bass guitar, piano and bass drums. Optical compression also makes your live sound tighter and punchier so you hold your spot in the mix.
Q: Do you use silver solder?
A: I do not use silver solder. Silver solder only contains approximately 3-4% silver and the rest is tin. Silver solder has jumped into the spotlight due to the RoHS (removal of hazardous substances) directive in Europe. There are several exemptions to RoHS to allow the use of leaded solder. Electronic devices that need to have extremely high reliability, such as military devices, are exempt from RoHS. Thus, I will continue to use the leaded solder until I absolutely have to switch to the tin/silver solder.
Q: Do you modify or repair stomp boxes?
A: I have repaired or modified several stomp boxes for my friends throughout the years, but at this time I am only working on the design and building of FEA products. In case there is a failure with an FEA product, I will make the repairs. There are many places on the Internet that can repair or modify your other stomp boxes.
Q: Are you going to make distortion or overdrive effects?
A: I have made a couple of distortion boxes for my bass rig and a few for some friends, but I do not have plans to build or sell any at this time. There are so many flavors of distortion boxes in the mass production and boutique markets that I choose to concentrate on products that are unique.
[Updated: July 1, 2009] Starting in September of 2009, FEA Labs will become my primary business and main focus. As such, there are a couple of concepts for an overdrive pedal that I might consider adding to the product line, so we'll see what the near future holds.
Q: Will you be offering “clones” of vintage stomp boxes?
A: No. There are many boutique builders that offer the clones of some favorite pedals. The clones that I have seen are claimed to be better than the original because of better parts and build techniques. My focus is on original design and professional quality sound gear.
Q: Do your pedals have blue LED’s?
A: Yes. I remember the first blue LED’s that I purchased back in the early 90’s for a project that I was designing. I needed an indicator that could be easily identified from a distance and the blue LED’s had just hit the market. At that time, I paid 5 or 6 dollars each for the blue LED’s in quantities of ten. After the project was complete I had a couple of blue LED’s left over and I installed one in my old distortion pedal. It looked very cool. I now only use the blue LED as an indicator to tell when the pedal is active (on or off). I use red, green and yellow LED’s to indicate other functions on the pedals.
Q: How long have you been making effects?
A: FEA Labs was born in 2007. But, I have been repairing, designing and building effects and pre-amplifiers for friends and myself since the mid 80’s.
Q: What does FEA mean?
A: FEA is my name, Frank E. Appleton.
