The Nomad OTA Compressor is a unique and high-performing compressor design that operates on a feed-forward principle, resulting in improved performance and reduced noise. It is based on the Valve Wizard Engineer’s Thumb, a popular DIY compressor that was first introduced in 2012.

Unlike traditional OTA-based compressors like the Ross or Dyna Comp, the Engineer’s Thumb utilizes the LM13700 as a current-controlled feedback resistor in an op-amp gain stage. This innovative approach not only reduces noise but also significantly increases headroom compared to other designs. In fact, the audio path of the circuit shares similarities with optical compressors like the Flatline Compressor.

The Nomad OTA Compressor is based on the most recent revision of the Engineer’s Thumb, which was released in 2019. While many DIY projects are based on earlier versions, the Nomad incorporates all the suggested modifications for a true 5-knob compressor. This makes it a simple and cost-effective build with a comprehensive control set.

Please note that there was an error in the original Nomad PCB, which was discovered shortly after its launch. The corrected PCBs will be available around April 2, and ordering has been temporarily disabled until then.

Summary created by AI from the original source.