What is it?

The AAL – FET Grinder Compressor – 19" Studio Build is a fast and characterful FET audio compressor built around the well-known FET Grinder project originally developed by Gustav Sander Grinderslev.

This unit is not an original AAL circuit design. It is a carefully rebuilt and assembled version based on publicly available documentation, recovered project files and reconstructed manufacturing data.

The result is a fully assembled, tested and studio-ready 19" rack compressor with the aggressive, energetic and musical character typically associated with classic FET compression.

Why did you make it?

The original FET Grinder project has become difficult to find online, despite being an interesting and musically useful DIY compressor design.

After collecting the remaining available documentation, schematics and build information, I reconstructed the necessary production files, including Gerbers and BOM, in order to bring this project back to life in a reliable and buildable form.

This unit was then assembled, integrated into a 19" rack enclosure and tested in a real studio environment, with very positive feedback.

Features

• FET compressor inspired by classic studio limiter topology
• Fast attack and release behavior
• Ratio controls: 4:1 / 8:1 / 12:1 / 20:1
• Input and output level controls
• Direct / saturation character control
• VU meter for gain reduction monitoring
• Balanced XLR inputs and outputs
• Internal linear power supply with toroidal transformer
• 19" rack enclosure

Power & Safety

• Supported mains input: 220–240V AC, 50/60 Hz
• IEC C14 mains input with integrated slow-blow fuse protection
• IEC C13 power cable included
• Designed for indoor studio use

XLR Connectivity

• Balanced XLR female input
• Balanced XLR male output

Typical Applications

• Vocals
• Drums
• Bass
• Electric guitars
• Parallel compression
• Character compression on buses

What makes it special?

• Based on a rare and now hard-to-find DIY FET compressor project
• Carefully reconstructed production files
• Clean internal wiring and rack integration
• Built with selected quality components
• Fast, punchy and characterful compression
• Studio-tested before listing

Important note

This product is an AAL-built implementation of the original FET Grinder project by Gustav Sander Grinderslev.

AAL is not claiming authorship of the original circuit design. The work done here consists of project recovery, reconstruction of PCB production files, BOM preparation, assembly, rack integration and testing.

Why this price?

Built using carefully selected components and hand assembly practices focused on reliability, clean wiring, signal integrity and long-term durability.

Each unit is assembled, wired and tested individually before shipping.

Who did it?

Re-Designed, hand-assembled and individually tested in France by AAL — Analog Audio Lab.

Practical electronics designed to solve real-world problems.

analog.audio.lab@gmail.com