We present the 10 best compressor pedal available in the market so that you are not mistaken when choosing yours.
Compression is a guitar effect that is probably the secret weapon of many guitarists around the world. From Jack White to James Burton, the compressor pedal is one of the few effects that are equally viable for almost all genres. A compressor pedal is an ideal option to get a boost in the consistency of the sound of your instrument. This is good to balance the notes loose in the solos of electric guitar, so your riffs sound more consistent dynamically to achieve an attack more percussive for funky rhythm to transform chords with much fall in long sounds as if it were a keyboard, etc.
But the question is: what makes a great compressor pedal so good? If you’ve always wondered which compressor is right for your needs, you’ve arrived at the right place! We tell you our opinion about the 10 best compression pedals for guitar effects, of various price ranges.
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The top 10 best compressor pedals on the market
Have you ever thought of emulating some classic rock and roll sounds? Compression adds character and distinction to your sound while improving it beautifully. It will make you stand out in the middle of your band / group, and if you decide to put your hands on one of these pedals, you may realize that it is the missing piece you were looking for.
We have prepared a list of pedals designed to meet your needs if you are thinking about your first pedal, or for the virtuoso and experienced guitar. Take a look and decide for yourself.
TC Electronic Hypergravity Compressor Pedal
The compressor pedals are versatile. After all, you are trying to mold the tone already set in a very specific set of rules. TC Electronic understands this concept very well. Your Hyper Gravity compressor pedal is one of the best and most flexible solutions both in the market and in its respective price range.
The box in which it comes is rock solid, no doubt about that. This is a high-performance pedal, which means you have to be able to withstand any type of abuse that may occur in your area. The controls come in the form of Level, Sustain, Attack and Blend standard. However, TC Electronic would not be the same if it did not add something else.
In addition to the functions we have mentioned, it also has a switch that allows you to choose between Spectra, TonePrint and Vintage modes. TonePrint is what gives you the ability to form your own compression curves using the software and load them into the pedal. Pretty impressive, to say the least.
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JOYO JF-10 Dynamic Compressor Guitar Effect Pedal
A low budget compressor may seem like a risky business, but there are pedals that allow you exactly that. Joyo JF-10 is among the first that comes to mind. The pedal is simple, easy to use and capable of cutting a wide range of frequencies. It doesn’t look like a cheap compressor at all.
Apart from its formidable performance, it is a quality compression pedal. The box is strong enough for stage use of any kind, and it is definitely not necessary to treat it as a prom queen. On a similar note, the knobs and the pedalboard – two elements that are generally lower on the pedals in this price range – are pretty decent in any case.
Although it is probably not the most capable compressor on the market, Joyo JF-10 Dynamic Compressor offers you the performance needed to have that tone under low budget control. This is something we can support in our list of the best compression pedals.
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Xotic SP Compressor Pedal
The Xotic SP Compressor comes in a very compact and beautiful chassis with a miniature footprint, but offers more than is seen with the naked eye. It is originally based on the compression of Ross, where many have failed, this little guy definitely succeeded. As for the details, the control knobs of this pedal offer Volume (up to 15 dB), Mixing – ensuring an impeccably smooth transition in the mix with the original sound, and a three-way switch between both: Low, medium signal and tall.
This is not where it ends, however, the pedal offers additional modification through its remarkable internal switches. This wonderful pedal balances your tones with immaculate precision, a dynamic range of tone selection that adds a unique character to your original sound, from transparent to hard and agile.
In our opinion, it is one of the most versatile compressors that exist, available at an affordable price overshadowed by its overwhelming magnitude of adjustment capabilities.
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Wampler Ego Guitar Effects
There is rarely anything better than a boutique pedal that works perfectly. At least when it comes to the tone of the guitar. Wampler Pedals Ego compressor offers that kind of performance in a package that is as refined as you might expect. The pedal itself does not appear much purely based on its appearance. It looks very normal in many ways.
However, once you connect this pedal to your signal chain, the actual size of the EGO comes to light. The available controls are varied We are talking about four-band compression with some surprises here and there. Combined with the fact that it is handmade using some very high-quality components, once you can hardly make a case against this Wampler design.
The price reflects everything we’ve talked about so far. This compressor is anything but affordable, however, the price is completely justified considering the performance. If you need a versatile compression quality part in your arsenal, Wampler Pedals EGO COMPRESSOR is a strong competitor worthy of your attention and one of the best compressors for your pedalboard.
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Wampler Ego Guitar Effects
This compressor is a model of optical compressor for the acoustic guitar. Like most Mooer pedals, this compressor pedal is “true Bypass”. This means that when it is turned off, the signal coming from a guitar will not go into the electronic circuits. It goes directly from the entrance to the exit. The pedal will not interfere with the sound of the instrument.
This compressor is of high quality. Its metal case is of great robustness. It easily supports intensive use. Simple in appearance, this compressor is just as effective as the high-end models, dedicated to using in the studio.
This accessory mounts effectively to attenuate a strong signal and boost the signal, in order to better normalize the entire sound. That’s why it can also be good for bass. The different adjustable are simple, with obvious keys. The EQ allows you to adjust the tone, as for the Comp, it allows you to adjust the intensity of the compression. The volume allows you to adjust the output level.
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Empress Effects Compression Guitar Effects Pedals
Since we are on the theme of boutique wonders, let’s take a look at a really extravagant design of the Empress. The Empress Effects Compressor may have a mundane name, but we can guarantee that there is nothing mundane or average in this bad boy.
The pedal is a large format design that comes with some standard features, and lots of not-so-standard features. In addition to regular compressor controls, you can also adjust the input level and output level separately. The top of the control panel shows a graphic LED display that offers a great and tangible way to measure what you are doing with the pedal.
You can select a different compression and adjust almost all aspects of this pedal’s performance. This impressive beast comes with a very high price, however, those who need a reliable and extremely versatile compressor will find the Empress Effects pedal well worth the investment, and much more.
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Boss CS-3
In the world of effects pedals, Boss is a constant. No matter how much you spend on other less prolific brands, Boss will continue to offer the usual performance. For some, this linear nature of their products is too boring. However, if you need reliability, that is exactly this is a pedal to consider.
The Boss CS-3 is a compressor / sustainer combo that comes with a great range and enough sustains to keep you going for a long time. On the outside, the CS-3 looks exactly like any other Boss pedal, but it is what goes on inside that interests us. The compressor seems very sensitive and quite natural.
You can cover and enhance a decent set of frequencies, and still maintain its center tone setting. When things start to fall, the holder is there to keep pushing. All in all, the Boss CS-3 is one of the best compression pedals of the year, in our opinion.
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Behringer CS400 Compressor Sustainer
Behringer is accurately portrayed as the patron saint of low-budget guitarists. Its pedals are some of the cheapest you would dare to see, which continues to bring a high level of performance to the table. In terms of compression, a model that definitely stands out is the Behringer CS400.
This is also a compressor / sustainer combination, only that this thing costs as much as a regular pizza. The real question is, how practical and usable is it really? Let’s start from the beginning. The pedal comes in the standard Behringer housing, which is not the best, but serves its purpose. In terms of controls, you have your usual suspects – Level, Tone, Attack and Sustain.
The performance you get from the CS400 is well above its price range. Sustain is abundant and quite natural, while the compressor part of the package has enough reach. Combined with each other, they make the design of a budget very interesting. If you are looking for a cheap compressor, look no further.
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Electro-Harmonix Soul Preacher Compression / Sustainer
With all these complex compressor designs, one can easily forget how practical simplicity can be with this particular effect. Luckily for us, Electro-Harmonix is here to remind us of its Soul Preacher. Although it is really simple, this pedal comes with two different functions.
One is to provide a great compressive effect, and the other is to act as a sustain pedal. Some find that this multipurpose role by which Soul Preacher is known is quite optimistic considering that you only have two control knobs and a switch to work with. However, in the end, everything came together elegantly and now we can enjoy this little pedal engine.
Using the Soul Preacher is easy. If it is in compressor mode, the only thing that can affect is the attack value. The other knob is completely dedicated to sustaining. While it may sound a bit overwhelming, this pedal can easily beat a number of its more expensive counterparts.
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Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor
Marshall is a reference brand for guitar accessories. Unsurprisingly, his compressor is among the best on the market. This model is especially pleasing for its compactness and lightweight.
It is thus easy to manipulate and can accompany the guitarist as much at home as in the recording studios, or even on the stage, if he wishes. This compressor is easy to handle. The selection of the part of the spectrum to be compressed, the control of the compression as well as the attack and the volume are very simple.
Beyond its practical side, this compressor also pleases for its effect of high quality. It accentuates the high or low notes according to your needs. According to your desires, you could have a very compressed metal sound or a very clear folk sound.
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What is a compressor pedal and what is it for?
A compression pedal is an automatic controller whose function is to maintain the volume of a homogeneous signal. This pedalboard “compresses” the electric signal of the guitar according to the dynamic range set by the user, hence the name of the device, and prevents the signal from exceeding that volume range either by attenuating a very strong signal or by pushing a signal below the limit.
Given their versatility, they are used in a wide spectrum of situations from live sound to their application in the studio.
The main reasons for its use are the control of the signal energy to maintain its constant level; control the peak level of a signal, protecting amplification equipment from excessive saturation; reduce the dynamic range of a signal and even mask interpretation errors that have to do with volume stability.
Typical controls of a compressor
To understand how a compressor works we must first familiarize ourselves with its essential parameters and how they allow us to achieve different results:
Threshold
Determines the moment when the signal is affected by the stompbox, reducing the gain of any signal that passes this threshold; Sound that does not exceed this threshold will go unchanged. It is measured in decibels (dB).
Ratio
Graduates the amount of compression applied to the signal that crosses the threshold. It is usually expressed in proportions such as 2: 1, 4: 1, 6: 1, 10: 1, and so on. For example, if we establish a 4: 1 ratio, signals that are 4dB above our threshold will be reduced to 1db; If we have a ratio of 10: 1, for every 10dB of more the device will only allow 1db to go above the threshold.
Attack
Adjusts the speed with which the effect acts on the signal once the threshold is exceeded. Measurement in milliseconds (ms).
Release
Also called sustainer, determines the time it takes for the effect to return to the original volume once the signal falls below the intensity threshold. Measurement in milliseconds (ms).
Makeup gain
It is a gain control on the output of the stompbox, it recovers the amount of lost signal. It becomes necessary when the objective is to recover what was reduced in level and thus match the low volume parts with which they were compressed.
Knee
Determines the way in which the threshold is applied to the signal. If we find the Hard Knee option, the limit point is strictly delimited and the threshold will act completely to the minimum overflow; With Soft Knee the application of the threshold is gradual and can start at close points before the threshold set. Not all guitar devices bring this parameter, and if they bring it, it appears as the knee.
Types of compressors and their characteristics
There are different types of compression classified by the type of circuit used. While each type of compression affects the tone of your sound, the differences between each are subtle and adapt to specific needs.
The tube compressor
It was the first type of compression created, it works from a system of valves, of vacuum tubes that we find in vintage amplifiers. The tone they produce is warm and soft although it is usually expensive and less effective than other types of compression due to their high compression ratios, slow response and excessive signal coloration.
The VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier)
The VCA uses transistor technology for operation. It is the dominant system in low-end stompboxes of this class for its rapid response, low cost, and neutral coloration. It is an efficient circuit with precise controls on the attack and release parameters. These types of circuits are found in stompboxes such as the BOSS CS-3 and the Maxon CP9Pro +.
These transistor circuits have subdivisions that are worth mentioning, each with particular options. FET (Field Effect Transistor) circuits emulate the sound of tube circuits; The OTA (Operational Transconductance Amplifier) uses a voltage-current source system and is the most widely used on the pedals on the market, examples of this are the Dynacomp, Keely or Wampler.
The optical compression system
It interprets the electrical signal by means of an LED bulb that shines with greater or lesser intensity depending on the signal levels. The light intensity is interpreted by a photocell to determine the level of compression applied, reversing the process towards the output to convert the light into an electrical signal again. The sound effect is a soft, organic and slow response, with a neutral and spongy tone depending on the circuit design. It is found in stompboxes such as Demeter and EHX Black Finger.
Conclusion
That’s all for now when it comes to compression pedals. We present some “rare” pedals and some basic classics, which cover the needs of guitarists of all styles. Feel free to check back here from time to time as we enrich our list with new inclusions, our lists are carefully selected and offer the best balance in terms of price and quality.