Becos FX CompIQ Stella Pro reaches MKII with optional DITOS DI module
April 19, 2024 · 2 sources
Becos FX has issued the CompIQ Stella Pro in a MKII edition, with an optional DITOS Transformer-Coupled Balanced Output DI available as an add-on board, according to a Guitar Pedal X report published April 19, 2024. The report describes it as an all-analog, Blackmer VCA compressor using the THAT 4320 Analog Engine, with 13 controls, true RMS detection, 8-LED gain-reduction metering and manual or automatic timing1.
Internal voicing switches offer Sparkle, Tight, Punch or Transparent, and compression controls include adjustable ratio, threshold, knee, side-chain filters, X-EQ, feed-forward and feed-back modes and a wet/dry mix1. The report gives the following ranges1:
| Control | Range |
|---|---|
| Ratio | 1:1 to 20:1 or infinity |
| Threshold | -45dBu to +10dBu |
| Gain | -6dB to +20dB |
| Manual attack | 0.12ms/dB to 12ms/dB |
| Manual release | 1.2ms/dB to 120ms/dB |
| X-EQ | plus or minus 6dB tilt each way |
| Side-chain high filter | plus or minus 7dB at 3kHz, 12dB/octave |
| Side-chain low filter | plus or minus 12dB at 90Hz, 12dB/octave |
The DITOS module adds a parallel simultaneous output for a front-of-house or mixing desk feed alongside the main output, and can be factory-fitted or added later by the user21. Fitting it occupies the 9V battery cavity, so the pedal can no longer be battery powered with the module installed1. RockBoard's PedalPedia entry lists the circuit type as analog and describes the enclosure as compact, sturdy and black powder-coated aluminum2.
"The optional DITOS Transformer-Coupled Balanced Output DI is available as an add-on board, offering the flexibility to be pre-installed or added later by the user."
Guitar Pedal X's writer, Stefan Karlsson, said he had owned a Stella for a couple of weeks and called it "the closest you can get to a studio rack compressor in pedal format," describing the control tapers as even, predictable and precise1. RockBoard's entry says the pedal suits guitar, bass, keyboards, synths, electro-acoustic guitars and vocals with an appropriate pre-amp2.