Compressor Pedals
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Keeley Compressor Plus
Landlord FX A Cheeky Pint Optical Compressor Mini Pedal
BOSS CS-3 Compression Sustainer
MXR Dyna Comp M102 Compressor
MXR M87 Bass Compressor
BOSS CP-1X Compressor
MXR M291 Dyna Comp Compressor Mini Pedal
Wampler Cory Wong Compressor Pedal
Wampler Mini Ego Compressor Pedal
Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor
Universal Audio 1176 UAFX Studio Compressor
NUX Sculpture Compressor Mini Pedal
BOSS BC-1X Bass Compressor
Keeley Compressor Mini Pedal Black
MXR M87 Bass Compressor Blackout Series
Xotic SP Compressor
Laney Black Country Customs The Custard Factory Bass Compressor
Source Audio Atlas Compressor
JHS Pedals 3 Series Compressor
Maestro Arcas Compressor Sustainer Pedal
MXR M228 Dyna Comp Deluxe
Keeley Compressor Pro
Fairfield Circuitry The Accountant Compressor Mini Pedal
MXR JD-M282 Bass Dyna Comp Mini Compressor
Electro Harmonix Pico Platform Compressor
EarthQuaker Devices The Warden V2 Compressor
Analog Alien Joe Walsh Double Classic Compressor/Overdrive Pedal
MXR M132 Super Comp Compressor Pedal
MXR M76 Studio Compressor
Jam Pedals Dyna-ssoR Compressor / Sustainer
Suhr Koji Compressor
Dod Compressor Pedal 280
Jackson Audio Hour Glass Dual Studio Compressor Pedal
Keeley Compressor Plus (Pre-Owned)
Seymour Duncan Studio Bass Compressor Pedal
Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Studio Compressor UAFX Pedal
Demeter Compulator Optical Compressor COMP-1-SD (Pre-Owned)
Omnifex 702C Compressor (Pre-Owned) #05162
Wampler EGO 76 Compressor Pedal
About Compressor Pedals
Compressor pedals are the perfect tool to even out your playing, giving a studio sheen to every performance.
The difference between your loudest notes and your quietest notes is known as your ‘dynamics’. A really wide dynamic range can sound a bit sloppy and haphazard. Compressors are used to smooth out your playing; giving it a much more polished, consistent feel.
Compressor pedals work by reducing the volume of your loudest notes and increasing the volume of your quietest notes. Most players aim to use compressors subtly. But some, particularly country players, will use it as a pronounced ‘squashed’ effect, where every note they play is compressed so that they are all the same volume.
Compressors are large studio units which are used on everything from vocals to drums. Compressor pedals, then, can be a bit confusing because they still use a lot of studio language like ‘Attack’, ‘Release’ and ‘Ratio’.
‘Attack’ is the first part of the note where you actually strike the string. The attack control adjusts how quickly the compressor starts working. The quicker it starts the more pronounced the compression effect.
‘Release’ is the end of the note, often called ‘Sustain’ for this reason. If you crank this control, you’ll be able to hold notes much longer.
‘Ratio’ is the difference between the loudest and quietest volume. A low ratio like 2:1 is very subtle whereas a high ratio like 32:1 is quite extreme.
If you are using a lot of overdrive and distortion, your sound is already compressed and you probably don’t need a dedicated compressor pedal. But for anyone using clean amps, compressor pedals are very useful. For this reason, they are a must have among funk, country and pop players who need a bit of polish for their clean tone.
Why Should I Choose a Compressor Pedal?
- Give every performance studio sheen
- Guitar compressor pedals smooth out haphazard playing
- Use subtly or in a pronounced, ‘squashed’ way