Bought the Sharc about a year ago. I set it up last minute on one gig when I first got it, and it made the sound very "thin". (I didn't understand how to set it up properly - manual is of very little help.) So I bypassed it that night and it sat on my studio shelf for several months until I finally decided to take the time to learn how to set it correctly. Once it was finally set properly, it worked great! Now I use it on most of my gigs! It's very important to set the "Mic Gain" control and the "Clip Level" control correctly, or it will add noise and generally make your sound unusable. (Hint: The Clip Level does NOT affect the input OR output levels - It just controls how much signal goes to the internal circutry. Set it wrong, and it sounds terrible!!!) Very versatile unit! It can handle most any input/output level, high & low impedance, balanced or unbalanced, and has Phantom power. Very quiet (When set properly).

Compressor: If you're familiar with setting a standard compressor unit, this thing will throw you off because it doesn't have the standard "Threshold" and "Ratio" controls. Sharc uses "Density" and "Speed", and there are no suggested starting points (for any settings) in the manual. For a bare-bones compressor, it's adequate - better than not having a compressor for your singer, guitar, etc. Doesn't indicate when or how much it's compressing the signal like a full-featured compressor would. I wish the manual would have a better explanation of how to set the compressor for various applications.

Low Cut Filter: This is the ONLY unit I have ever seen in this price range that offers a programmable low cut filter - cool!

Gate: Gate works fairly well, and is a big help in controlling feedback along with the feedback controller circut (Which, by the way, works great!)

Feedback Controller: Works very well even without pre-setting, and even better if you can pre-set or "tune" the room. (Don't pre-set with an audience in the room - or especially during a performance - it CAUSES feedback during pre-setting!!!)


Delay: The delay is NOT INTENDED to be a special effect! It's intended to compensate for sound delay in a large hall with extra speakers in the back of the room. Unless you want to use the Sharc for that purpose, turn the delay off.

Lock: The Sharc can be "locked" into a setting, rendering the controls inoperative. This is probably to keep roving fingers from changing the settings mid-show. However, don't use the Sharc in a show until you know how to get back out of lock mode. (I inadvertently set it in lock mode one time.)

One concern: The Sharc makes lots of heat. Not hot enough to burn your hand, but damn close! (Next time I play Antartica, I can use it to keep my hands warm!) I wouldn't mount it in close quarters with other hot-running equipment, such as a power amp. Make sure it's well ventilated.

Bottom line: For the price, it's the best thing out there! I'm looking to buy a few more of them for problem-solver quick-fix units. A super-handy gadget! I suggest that if you buy one (or several) spend some time learning to use the unit in a low-stress situation before taking it out on a gig. (Now, if only someone would write a "Setting the SHARC DSP110 for Dummies" book.)