Compressors

The premise of a compressor is very simple. Quieter signals are boosted, and louder signals are attenuated, giving a more uniform level that’s great for funky 16ths or smoother lead tones. Of course, once you try and control these parameters, there’s infinite subtlety. For most pedal compressors though, the average player can find a good sound by intuition, without having to know the technical details.

TG Recommends EMPRESS EFFECTS COMPRESSOR MK II

Astonishingly for a pedal this size, with this feature set, the Compressor Mk II is all-analogue. Crammed inside is a studio-grade compressor with attack, release, ratio, makeup gain and sidechaining. Combine all that with input and gain reduction metering and you’ve got the most sophisticated pedal compressor on the market. Recommended for power users!

Bestfor Studio compressor-style functionality

ORIGIN EFFECTS CALI76 COMPACT DELUXE

It’s not cheap, but the Cali76 is a pedal-format version of the classic 1176 FET studio compressor. Alongside the attack, release, ratio and output controls you’d expect to see, there’s also a dry control, as the Cali76 offers parallel compression. Without much by way of legends or explanation, the Cali76 encourages the player to experiment and find a sweet spot.

Bestfor Another studio-like pedal for those who like to tweak

Also Try

MXR Dyna Comp Mini

A simple two-knob compressor with two pre-set attack times.

TC Electronic Hypergravity Mini

A toneprint-enabled compressor with attack, sustain and level controls.

Fairfield Circuitry The Accountant

Three pre-set ratio options make the Accountant an effective, if opinionated, mini compressor.