Artec SE-CMP Turbo Compressor

Two knobs "Hiss Reduction" and "Gain". The manual has a couple of sample setting, nothing fancy. Page #3 talks about Artec Effector bypass or "True Bypass" system. More on that later...

Picked this for my practice rig. 80's "Fat Strat" => Artec SE-CMP => Boss DS-1 => Artec SE-ADL => Laney GC80. This thing sounded ok for the $$. This is a noisy tone sucker. Not "True Bypass" by any means.

No. Had a SE-ADL that failed in 2 hours

No help

Save your $$ and buy the MOEN Uni-Comp, this is a great Compressor for less the $80. I replaced the Artec with the MOEN and I am now in sustain heaven.

2 knobs - one Hiss Reduction, which seems useless to me, and one Gain.

I use it with an Ibanez SR505(bass) with an EMG-40DC pickup at 18Volts in the bridge position.
ARTEC SE-CMP --> Boss GEB-7 --> Boss ODB-3 (usually off) --> Boss NS-2 --> Fender Rumble 60.
The circuit is very simple and is made of surface-mounted elements, and seems to use the opto-compressor technology, which utilizes a LED and a Light Dependent Resistor to achieve the effect.

This is the lowest noise compressor I've ever tried. The attack time is very short, that may result in a 'pop' sound on the attack at high gain settings and heavily picked notes.
In my opinion the release time is optimal.

The effect preserves some of the playing dynamics, so it does not work as a limiter, it's a matter of taste if you like it or not.

The 'pop' sound when switching on/true bypass is not as noticeable as with other effects I've tried or used.

With normal handling, I don't think it would break, even if the housing and the switch is not very strong compared to a Boss.

Never dealt with them.

I play progressive metal, and this effect is perfect for my tapping and legato riffs. Due to it's character, I can also play chords and they still sound louder than single notes.
I've been playing for 5 years and tried many (analog) compressors, and this one beats them all (Ashdown, Boss LMB-3, Ross Compressor,...etc.)
I would definitely buy it again if it were stolen or lost.
Of course, like with all compressors, a noise gate is a must.

Very easy to use- 2 knobs one for gain and one for hiss reduction and a true bypass switch.

This Compressor is one of the most quiet compressors I've used, even without using the Hiss Reduction knob(which isn't that effective).
The only problem is that due to the fact that it's true bypass it makes a pop noise when switching it on/off because of voltage differences.
My rig is: Jackson Dk2--->Morley Bad Horsie 2--->Artec Turbo Compressor--->AMT Electronics Tube Platinum Dist.--->Peavey Envoy 110.

A metal casing of some sort... looks quite reliable, although if you were to drop it from a meter it will break.

Never had yo deal with them

This effect is just what I was missing for a sparkling clean and a mean compressed distortion, and the fact that it's so cheap just makes so much worth it. If you're looking for a compressor go for the Artec Turbo Compressor you can't wrong!