WE LOVE PHISH. Said it, not sorry, deal. Now that you know that, know this: we were SUPER excited to have a Helping Friendly Box Overdrive Compressor from Hochstrasser Electronics appear on our doorstep, and here’s why. This particular pedal harkens after the setup that Trey Anastasio from Phish used for many years (and still does occasionally), where two differently-gained Tubescreamers were followed by the famous Ross...
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Compression can be some players’ best friend, while others scoff at the mention of using such an effect. We love it, and have always wanted to get our hands on today’s pedal to see what the hubbub is all about. While there are many clones and variations out there, there’s nothing quite like a Ross Compressor. The original pedals, made in the 1970’s, are fairly difficult to come by, and if you can find one,...
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The wonderful world of multi-effects has had quite a resurgence in the last couple of years, with bigger, more powerful machines that actually sound incredible being put on the market. With all of these fantastic sounds and options available, there’s also been a considerable price hike in these effects units, too, making it hard for those on a lower budget to even be able to test them out, to see if it’s a good fit for...
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Today we’ve got the third and final installment in our “Walrus Week” that featured new effects pedals from our friends at Walrus Audio, and we’re headed back to revisit one of the pedals that put them on the map in the first place. The Deep Six Compressor has been a staple in the compression market since its release in 2012, and this particular version, Number Three, continues to build on that solid foundation....
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Trey Anastasio. For those of you who don’t know (or don’t care), Trey has been a HUGE guitar influence on us for almost 3 decades, and today’s pedal encompasses some of the best aspects of his tone. From his use of the famed grey Ross Compressor at various stages of Phish’s career, to his consistent use of different variations of Tube Screamers, his tonality and superb sustain give him an unmistakeable and...
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We love a clean, tasty, tone-enhancing pedal around here, and compression, while not for everyone, has come to be one of our favorite effects. Today’s pedal is a classic sound from a classic series – the Ibanez CP10 Compressor Sustainer is a high tech, studio quality effect in a compact case, with a VCA circuit and clean compression and sustain. Keeping the control panel light and easy to use, this is one little funk...
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We are just loving the effects pedals coming out of the FEA Labs camp right now, and we are once again fortunate enough to be able to bring another review and demo of one of them to you today. The DE-CL is a Dual Engine Compressor Limiter, with a lot of control knobs and tones abound, perfect for guitar, bass and more. Utilizing advanced, adaptive release circuitry, clean, boosted power and two sidechain control engines, this is one...
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Since the mid-2000’s, there has usually been some form of a Keeley Compressor within arm’s reach around the house and office. Starting with the classic 2-knob, moving up to the 4-knob, PRO and PLUS versions, alongside the Morning Glory in the Steak and Eggs and finally (for now, anyway), in today’s featured 2-in-1 pedal. The Aria features 2 sides, one compressor and one overdrive, that couldn’t play nicer...
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We’ve always been intrigued and interested in pedals that have lots of knobs, dipswitches and In/Out jacks, so when today’s pedal came along, we were super stoked to test it out. The Spectravibe from Endangered Audio Research (makers of the now-famous AD4096 Analog Delay) is a tremolo and vibrato pedal, but it’s also much, much more than just that. With elements of compression, overdrive, distortion, auto wah and...
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The World of Compressors here in effects pedal land has really come on strong the last couple of years, with some incredible, studio-quality stompboxes coming out into the fold more and more. Today’s featured pedal is no exception, using an expected control section to produce not just excellent, high-quality compression, but a gorgeous clean boost sound if you need it as well. Straight from our friends at Analog Alien, the Alien...
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Let’s face it: there’s not really a ‘Maybe’ vote when it comes to compression on your pedalboard – you either dig it or you don’t. Around here, we can’t get enough of it, and always look forward to another pedal sending us into the realm of sustain and tone-balancing, and we’ve got another one for you today. The R-Comp Compressor from Vick Audio recreates one of the most famous comps in...
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One of the best parts of this gig is discovering new pedal companies that are doing innovative, exciting and non-traditional building in the effects pedal world, and today’s pedal and company both have captivated us in the best of ways. The DB-CL Dual Band Compressor Limiter takes all you thought you knew about compressors and turns your brain upside down, spins it around and sends it into a musical abyss from which you’ll...
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We’ve had some really great compressor pedals come through the shop recently, and today’s featured effect is right on par with the rest of ’em. Looking and sounding like a true studio rack compressor that has just been squished down into pedal form, the Underthruster from RetrogradeFX gives you all you’d expect from a comp unit. With essential features and uncompromised audio fidelity, you’ll get all the...
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Well, the effects marvels at Anasounds have done it again. Today’s featured pedal is a wooden-topped beauty coming to us all the way from France, and features just one lone control knob. While the word “compressor” can have negative connotations to some guitar players, those of us who love it LOVE it, and it’s always fun to try out different options and sonic scenarios. The Lazy Comp is an optical compressor...
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Getting pedals that come through the shop without a distinct label as to what they are or what they can do is always intriguing, and our featured pedal for today baffled us until we had the chance to plug it in. The Instant Lo-Fi Junky from ZVEX Effects is a compressor, chorus, vibrato and more, an sound experimenter’s dream in a small, pedalboard-friendly enclosure, with controls that are basic, but create a wide palette of...
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If you’re a fan of compression on your pedalboard, there’s good chance you’ve heard about the wonderful compressors being made over at Origin Effects. With a new lineup of smaller effects in their current arsenal, they have become a giant in the world of studio-quality compression for players throughout the world. Today, however, we’re going back to where it all started, with their Cali76 Standard Big Box...
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A really good simple pedal can sometimes knock your musical socks off more so than a complex, Tolstoy-novel-length manual-having pedal can, and we’re all for that with as many effects as we see around here. Today’s delightfully simple sonic recipe has only a couple of ingredients, but speaks volumes in terms of tone and value. The Electric is an overdrive and compressor in one, with elements of boost and preamp as well...
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Another compressor pedal, you say? Well, this one is a bit different than the one we reviewed earlier this week, the Lamplighter from Greer Amps. Where that one focused on studio compression in a pedal, the Kegel Compressor from Farm Pedals can get down and dirty, with enough squeeze to make your tone sparkle and pop. All we know is, a compressor with a Gain control sounds absolutely OK to us! V controls the overall output volume of...
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Studio compressors make everything sound, well…better, right? For years, we all have been on the prowl for a way to harness that key recording ingredient into our live rigs, without having it affect our original signal too much, and one of the answers has just come our way. The Lamplighter Optical Compressor from Greer Amps takes that classic studio sound and brings it front and center to your pedalboard. Volume and Compression...
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It seems like we’ve had a fairly steady stream of compressors coming through the shop lately, but nothing had prepared us for today’s mammoth of a pedal that arrived from Retrospec Audio’s shop in Weehawken, NJ. The Squeeze Box is a studio-quality optical compressor/limiter that has been sized down into pedal form, albeit a pretty big pedal. Every compression and limiting sound and tone you could really want or need...
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We love a good compressor to smooth out our tone a little bit, and using not too much or not too little is the real key. Today’s featured pedal gives you the flexibility you need in a compressor/limiter, with the functionality and tone of studio-grade sounding gear. The Velvet Comp VLC-1 is a perfect example of how a compressor should work and sound, providing smooth and lustrous compression to your entire rig. A simple...
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Pedals like the one we’ve got for you today are always a blast to review, as they seem so futuristic and uncommon, even though they were first released decades ago. With a ton of knobs, footswitches and jacks, the UE 305 is a multi effect for the ages, combining three excellent pedals from Ibanez’s golden age of effects into one HUGE enclosure (no joke, this thing is massive). Let’s just dive right in and see what...
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Another compressor pedal review is upon us, and if you haven’t grown to love them yet, we’re gonna try again and again until you do. Today’s “invisible” pedal comes to us from Japan, via a small company called Ninevolt Pedals, whose gear we’ve reviewed before (and will again). The 1927 Home Run King Compressor seeks to achieve the same tones as high-end studio compressors, all wrapped up in a nice,...
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After reviewing the new Mu-FX Mu-Tron 3X a little bit ago, we were blown away by what Mike Beigel and Co. have done with their new lineup, and couldn’t wait for more. One day, a magical box arrived at our doorstep, and what lay inside was an incredible 3-In-1 pedal that gives new meaning to an “always on” pedal: the Boostron 3 Boost Compressor Distortion box from Mike and Mu-FX. The Boostron 3 is based on three...
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Personally, we love compressors on all our pedalboards, but not everyone feels the same way. Some players absolutely swear by them, other think they’re useless and won’t come within 5 miles of one. Today’s pedal happens to be a compressor, the Saffron Squeeze from the newly-revived Way Huge Electronics, and while it appears to be a simple stompbox at first glance, a closer look reveals more controls, more options and...
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Cross-pollination pedals between different builders is unfortunately an all-too-rare thing in this magical world of effects, but when it does happen to happen, it’s usually pretty creative and special. Such is the case with today’s pedal, a 2-in-1 from two of the most popular pedal companies out there right now, JHS Pedals and Keeley Electronics. The Steak and Eggs combines two popular pedals from each of these respective...
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There seem to be a lot of compressors coming out lately that are really complex and intriguing, and while that can be fun, sometimes you just want a simple compressor pedal with easy controls and great sound to throw into your rig, set to taste and forget about. However, you might not necessarily want to same circuit that’s been redone a million times over the last couple decades, but something newer, edgier and a bit more...
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We here at Pedal of the Day have been hearing about and seeing the big, rad-looking and apparently amazing-sounding line of compressors from Origin Effects for a while now, but the price tag was just a bit out of our reach, and the opportunity to acquire one just hadn’t yet presented itself. So, you can imagine our joy when the new line of Compact pedals was announced recently, featuring both a smaller size AND a smaller, more...
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The TonePrint collection of pedals from TC Electronic have been pretty outstanding so far, enabling some exact dialing in of flangers, delays, reverbs and chorus, among others, all with pretty good sonic results. Today’s pedal ventures into a bit different territory, and into an effect that most players have a love-it-or-hate-it relationship with: The Compressor. Some swear by it for their tone, some can’t stand it, and...
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For the most part, multi effects pedals are pretty fun, and can be super useful if you are traveling a lot, or have a small pedalboard that you need to cram a bunch of stuff onto for gigs. The Rocket Train from Movall Audio covers the bases for three pretty common and oft-used effects, all in one relatively compact box that should fit on any pedalboard with ease. I decided to go right to left on this pedal, as I usually like...
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For many bassists, an essential pedal in their arsenal is going to be a compressor. It keeps your output consistent, helps cut through a mix, and can eliminate any dead spots to allow for a smooth, even attack. There are a wide variety of options to choose from, and Pigtronix offers a compressor specifically tuned to the lower frequencies of a bass that is quiet, easy to use, and affordable. The Philosopher Bass, based on...
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When you first take a look at the TC-3 Compressor from Big Lloyde, you get the feeling that this is not your grandpa’s compressor pedal, and that something cool is about to happen. Then you plug it in, and realize your hopes and wishes had actually come true. A great-sounding compressor in a neat and tidy pedal package, the TC-3 gives the big fellas a run for their money. The controls are, at first, a little intimidating, but...
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My buddy Philip over at PB&J Pedals keeps turning out one great pedal after the other, making some great gear and doing it pretty much on his own. We’ve reviewed his Billy Goat Fuzz, Viper Drive, Surf Drive and Sweet Clarity Jr. Overdrive, and today we’ve got the next offering from PB&J – the Morning Brew Compressor. I like a compressor that has a good amount of controls, so you can really get the sound you...
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I’ve been a fan of Keeley compression for about 10 years now. Thats when I first purchased the regular Keeley compressor. It is the only pedal that has consistently stayed on my board for these past 10 years. In fact, it became such an integral part of my “sound” that I didn’t turn it off that entire time. Because of this I was almost sad when I saw that Keeley Electronics was discontinuing this classic...
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I love a good compressor, and while some I’ve tried in the past haven’t blown me away, and some didn’t really even do too much to my signal, less is more when it comes to compression, and that’s the name of the game with the Fish Press from our friends at Greer Amps. Your basic two-knob layout for the controls makes this pedal none-too-difficult to dial in. Based on the vintage Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer,...
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Based on the 1960’s classic Dan Armstrong Orange Squeeze Compressor, the Analogman Juicer has built a reputation as one of the best compressors on the market today. This little orange box features one knob for overall volume and a bias trim pot inside to adjust the compression. About 8db of gain is available with the factory bias setting. This pedal comes with NOS N25457 transistors, germanium diodes, and JRC45582 On-Amp Chip....
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Well, if you’ve ever played with any T-Rex Effects products, you’ll know they are good quality tools. Or perhaps I have just been lucky with the ones I’ve had. Anywhoo, today i bring to you the Comp-Nova!! This is an always on tool for me. I used to be just a guitar and amp guy for like 15 years or so, and the past few years I’ve jumped on the pedal craze wanted to get my hands all that’s out there. This...
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We’ve got another VIDEO review for you today: The RJM Effects Tite Line Compressor! Check them out HERE, and don’t forget to subscribe to Kyle’s channel after you watch the video! Click ‘PLAY’ and enjoy the show! Submitted by Kyle
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My first pedal experience with EC Pedals is with the EyeBall Compressor, a simple 3-knob comp that is easy to use and sounds like a champ. Level, Attack and Sustain controls are exactly what you’d expect from a compressor pedal, and they are all featured in this little stompbox. The EyeBall provides a nice, compressed tone, great for country/chickin’-pickin’ music, but also for heavier stuff, too. It sounds great...
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Compressors have always been hit or miss for me, and I haven’t really been able to keep one on my board for longer than about 2 months, before I got frustrated with it, or thought it was just taking up space where another pedal could thrive, or any number of reasons I concocted in my brain. That all changed when I met the compressor of my dreams, the Deep Six from Walrus Audio. The best function in my opinion on this fantastic...
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The E-Wave Compressor is a great cheap compressor. It’s based around the original Ross compressor circuit with an added attack knob. If you’re looking for something to get you started in the world of compression then this is the pedal to check out. For only $45 you’re not going to find another pedal this great. It pays its dues to the original Ross and has the added versatility of the attack knob. It can go from a...
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So this is actually a great little compressor pedal that I currently have on my board and it stays on. It was made in the eighties and has the pink paint job to prove it. I paid $45 bucks for it of the Fleabay and it works like a dream. The CP10 is basically a clone of the Famous Ross Compressor and the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer (Ross OJ). It’s an all analog device. I’m sure if you’ve heard of this pedal and done...
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Based on the legendary Orange Squeeze compressor from Dan Armstrong, the Hartman Compressor provides a nice, smooth squish to your tone, while also giving it just a smidgen of attitude. The Ratio knob adjusts the right amount of compression for your tone, while the Gain knob controls the level and growl of the pedal. Warm tones, pleasing to your ear, and very quiet as well, which is something a lot of compressors lack. 2 knobs, not...
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The Aerolite Compressor from Dr. J Pedals in Scandinavia is a unique pedal in a sea of compressors, as it has a couple of variables that enable it to sing a different tune than most. The COMP knob obviously controls the amount of compression you are applying to your signal, and the OUTPUT controls the volume boost coming from the pedal itself. The ATTACK knob, another compressor staple, adjusts the dynamics and reacts to your playing,...
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The Philosopher’s Rock is a pretty unique and useful pedal to add to any guitarists’ arsenal. Acting mainly as a great compressor, it gives you great control over the amount of squish you have in your signal, while adding miles and miles of beautiful sustain to every note on the fretboard. Basically, this pedal is a simpler version of another Pigtronix classic, the Philosopher’s Tone. The Treble and Blend functions...
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Lookin’ for smooth sustain and tasty chicken-pickin’ leads? The Ego Compressor by Wampler is a 5-knob compressor perfect for those in search of crisp, clean compression. The blend knob adds a lot of tones and compression possibilities. For example, having a completely squashed signal slightly blended in with your natural signal. This makes your notes sustain while keeping a less compressed sound. All in all, very clean and...
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We’ve got another VIDEO review for you today, and it’s an another unique pedal, this time from Gerhat by Prosound, and it’s a Custom Multi Effect. Make sure to check out Kyle’s other reviews using the links under the video. Click ‘PLAY’ and enjoy the show! Go see Gerhat on Facebook as well! Submitted by Kyle
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Most of us are familiar with the famous ROSS Grey Compressor from the ’70’s, and the RC-3 from Barge Concepts uses that original design as a launchpad to a great new stompbox. The Volume, Sustain and Attack knobs allow you to control the output signal, the sustain amount and how much your signal is “squished”. Plus, there’s an added bonus inside, in the form of an internal switch for selecting a larger...
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