The Rough Cut is a versatile optical compressor for guitar that offers clean and articulate compression with a smooth envelope response. It is a modern compressor that is perfect for those who enjoy a squishy sound. The pedal includes various mods from different versions of the Diamond Compressor™.

One of the mods allows you to bypass the EQ circuit completely or add a high cut. The high cut option, which was previously an internal dip switch, is now made external for easier access. While the high cut is not necessary, it is available for those who prefer it.

The only tweak made to the stock design is reducing the EQ bypass switch from a DPDT to an SPDT. In the stock unit, the DPDT switch caused a “pop” sound when engaged due to voltage differences. By changing it to an SPDT switch, only the output of the EQ circuit is bypassed, eliminating the pop. There is no noticeable difference in tone when leaving the front end of the EQ circuit active in bypass mode.

The Rough Cut features four controls:

1. VOL: Adjusts the overall output level.
2. COMP: Controls the amount of compression. Turning it clockwise increases compression, while turning it counterclockwise reduces compression.
3. EQ: Adjusts the EQ settings. Turning it counterclockwise cuts treble, while turning it clockwise boosts treble.
4. EQ BYP: This switch bypasses the EQ circuit.
5. HI CUT: An optional switch that cuts some treble content. It can be used in either EQ or EQ bypass mode.

Summary created by AI from the original source.