The Creamery Compressor (DOD MilkBox)

[MichaelW]

Build Rating

5.00 star(s)

Some of you know that have a penchant for building overdrives and a close second would be compressors. I think I've built just about every DIY compressor I can get my hands on. The Creamery is one that I've wanted to build for a long time but it was out of stock and @Robert was in no hurry to stock up on it since the VCA chips for it were obsolete and not available anywhere. This changed recently when Robert found a cache of the CoolAudio v2159's and bought them all lol!

So he's got the market cornered for now! But as usual he's making them available at a VERY reasonable price.

Anyway, as soon as they came back in stock I bought the board. I really didn't expect this compressor to blow me away nor replace any of the current compressors I'm running, most notably my "always on" General Tso. I expected it to sound a bit like the Boss CS-3 which is the only other VCA compressor I've built. (Love that thing too, it's the MadBean Oracle.)

I've heard a lot of stuff about how The Milk Box is a noisy compressor being Dual VCA, etc. Well imagine my surprise when I had to pick my ass up off the floor after I first played it.

Holy CRAP this compressor sounds good! It's dead quiet with clean tones and the noise floor lift with gained up tones is not any MORE than the CS-3 or General Tso for that matter.

I won't say that it's a very "transparent" compressor but what it does to my clean tone running at the beginning of the chain is impart a wonderful FULLNESS to my sound that goes beyond even what the Tso was doing. You can dial that "fullness" to taste with the tone control.
At higher gain settings it's extremely smooth and I can see bass players really digging this compressor.

Right now it's kicked my General Tso out as my default "First in chain, always on". (Can you believe I actually said that????)
Yup, I sure did. @Robert 's implementation of the DOD MilkBox is just THAT good, and THAT quiet. Somehow just can't imagine the original being so quiet.

Anyway, so very glad I built this. It's a recommended MUST build for any compressor fans out there.

 

[andare]

Who needs labels on a compressor? No one can tell what the knobs do anyway!

What a great build. Can't go wrong with a nipple bezel and a sheepy daughterboard!

 

[Joben Magooch]

I've always wanted to try one!
I remember reading years ago that it was one of the top affordable picks over at Ovnilab (now defunct) which put it on my radar in the first place.

 

[jcpst]

The direction I came from was “ooh, what’s this sip-8 IC for?” I saw when browsing the store. A quick forum search brought up another thread where you mentioned it. So I grabbed a couple and The Creamery board over the weekend sale.

Thanks for the report, I’m looking forward to this one!

 

[almondcity]

Nice build. I need to make another one of these, it was one of my early builds. I'd be interested in testing op amps for this. I've read that the 4558 can be kinda...bad. Maybe TL072 or 5532 would be better?

 

[Band of Dans]

In an uncertain world, is there anything more reassuring than a @MichaelW compressor build report? Beautiful build as always. My only complaint is that you didn't post in time for me to add this project to my last PedalPCB order

 

[MichaelW]

Nice build. I need to make another one of these, it was one of my early builds. I'd be interested in testing op amps for this. I've read that the 4558 can be kinda...bad. Maybe TL072 or 5532 would be better?

I used the TI RC4558’s (as opposed to the JRC4558’s). They sound good to me. Having said that it might not be a bad idea to try some lower noise opamps. My new favorite is the OPA1678’s. (From Mouser) Unfortunately, they are SMD only. They spec about the same OPA2134’s but they’re only .54/ea. if you buy ten (and are willing to solder them onto an adapter plate. Just make sure you don’t order the wrong smaller size. Those VSSOP formats are a biotch to hand solder. But its worth it over spending $6 for a OP2134.

Edited typo:

 

[cooder]

Tasty build report, damn it
OPA178? I can't find them at Mouser, was just looking for a new smd option. You're sure about the designator or is there a typo?

 

[jcpst]

Tasty build report, damn it
OPA178? I can't find them at Mouser, was just looking for a new smd option. You're sure about the designator or is there a typo?

Looks like a typo.

opa1678

 

[MichaelW]

I used the TI RC4558’s (as opposed to the JRC4558’s). They sound good to me. Having said that it might not be a bad idea to try some lower noise opamps. My new favorite is the OPA178’s. (From Mouser) Unfortunately, they are SMD only. They spec about the same OPA2134’s but they’re only .54/ea. if you buy ten (and are willing to solder them onto an adapter plate. Just make sure you don’t order the wrong smaller size. Those VSSOP formats are a biotch to hand solder. But its worth it over spending $6 for a OP2134.

Tasty build report, damn it
OPA178? I can't find them at Mouser, was just looking for a new smd option. You're sure about the designator or is there a typo?

Typo, sorry... here you go these.

 

[swelchy]

Good to see your builds!

 

[Audandash]

I’m not going to start a new thread. I built this because @MichaelW wanted me too. I can piggy back and he will be fine, lol. . Not much to say except it sounds really great. I completely missed a cap and it didn’t work at first but once I did it’s quite pleasant. It’s certainly worth a build if you like compressors. It had no hiss until you just crank it which is pretty normal for compressors. And bonus, Robert has the chips so you don’t have to order from multiple places.