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Here are our top three compressor pedals:

Best compressor pedals

1. Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor

Best compressor for getting studio tones wherever you are.

Specifications

• Controls: Preamp, Comp, Output, Attack, Ratio, Release, Comp 1 switch, Comp Select switch, Comp 2 switch
• Inputs: 2 x 1/4”
• Outputs: 2 x 1/4”, USB-C
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Power: 9V DC PSU (not included)
• Footswitches: Two

Pros:

• Built upon award-winning UAFX dual-engine processing
• Three classic compressor emulations and a preamp modelled after the UA 610 tube preamp
• Customisable footswitches and a sidechain bass filter for added control
• The stereo operation makes it ideal for a variety of sources, not just guitar
• Comprehensive controls including a sweepable Ratio from ‘Off’ to ‘All’
• Select between two different compression emulations in parallel, series or independently

Cons:

• It’s one of the priciest compressor pedals available
• Slightly more complex than classic designs which can be off-putting for beginners
• Power supply not included in the price tag

The Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor is a ground-breaking pedal that brings together the iconic sounds of three legendary compressor/limiters and a renowned tube preamp to hand you studio-ready guitar compression anywhere you are.

Housing the unmistakable sounds of the Teletronix LA-2A, UA 1176, and Dyna Comp in a single, powerful pedal, it has been designed with UAFX’s award-winning dual-engine to deliver unparalleled sound quality and versatility.

Its layout is very logical and provides you with all the controls you need (some of which aren’t present on the hardware originals they model) and can even be expanded via a dedicated Bluetooth app from your phone. Two Comp models can be selected and switched between at any time, sharing the same set of parameters or could even be stacked together in series or parallel when configured in the app.

The models themselves sound spot on – and you’d expect nothing less from Universal Audio. There’s the punch from the 1176, making it perfect for enhancing sustain of your plucked notes. The legendary optical smoothness of the LA-2A can be heard clearly when hit with hard strumming chords, and the gritty, textured squeeze of the vintage red Dyna box is present to hear when you switch on your distortion.

In addition to these compressors, the UAFX also features a sidechain bass filter and the legendary UA 610 tube preamp, providing warm detail and character while allowing you to dial in the perfect amount of harmonics and grit.

There’s so much going for this pedal, it would be impossible to summarise it in one brief description, but for me, this is the standard by which all compressor pedals are measured.

Shop now | Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor

2. Wampler Cory Wong Compressor Pedal

Best compressor for spanking funk strumming tones

Specifications

• Controls: Volume, Sustain, Attack, Blend, Tone, Boost Level
• Switches: Compression On/Off, Boost On/Off, Boost Mode, Ground Lift
• Bypass: Buffered
• Channels: Two (Compression and boost)
• Boost modes: Flat and Saturated
• Inputs: 1 x 1/4” mono
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4” mono, XLR with Ground Lift
• Power: 9V DC, 30mA (Centre Negative) PSU
• Footswitches: Two

Pros:

• Dual footswitch compressor/boost design means no dancing between two pedals to switch tones
• Two boosting modes, flat frequency or rich, saturated midrange with independent level for boost
• Unique Comp On mode bypasses the footswitch for stage-friendly “always on” operation
• Connect direct to your interface with XLR output for glassy, sparkling tones
• Nice guitar-friendly presence boost with Tone control
• High-quality op-amp-buffered bypass switch

Cons:

• No power supply included on a pricey pedal
• In an ideal world, the two Boost modes could feature a tap on the Boost footswitch to make it easy to change during a live performance without reaching down
• A functionality to swap the routing of the boost pre or post-compression would be an excellent addition

Designed in collaboration with Grammy-nominated artist Cory Wong, the Wampler Cory Wong Compressor Pedal is essential for guitarists seeking exceptional tone-shaping capabilities, whether playing live or recording directly into an interface.

At its core, the Wampler Cory Wong Compressor Pedal offers complete control over Volume, Sustain, Attack, and Blend, along with Brian Wampler’s signature Tone control to add sparkle and chime to your guitar’s tone. The dual footswitches operate each function of the pedal, with a unique “Comp On” mode to bypass the footswitch for live performances.

The Boost side of the pedal features a single rotary boost control to adjust the amount of boost activated and a profile switch that sets the mode of the boost circuit from flat to rich and saturated with added vibrancy around the 550Hz range. This boost circuitry is based on the classic MDX Strat boost style, once favoured by Eric Clapton.

The pedal also includes an XLR output for direct connection to a PA system, mixing board, or computer interface, ensuring superior bright and clean tones. An independent ground lift switch eliminates unwanted ground noise, making it perfect for live and studio environments.

Built in the USA with high-grade components, the Wampler Cory Wong Compressor Pedal offers premium build quality and easy integration into your pedalboard. Its top-mounted input and output jacks, power connector, and high-quality op-amp buffered bypass ensure your tone remains intact when the pedal is disengaged.

Shop now | Wampler Cory Wong Compressor Pedal

3. Electro Harmonix Tone Corset Analog Compressor

Best compressor for high-headroom simplicity

Specifications

• Controls: Volume, Sustain, Attack, Blend, Pad
• Switches: Pad
• Bypass: True bypass
• Inputs: 1/4” TRS mono
• Outputs: 1/4” TRS mono
• Power: 6V DC 200mA (not included)

Pros:

• All-analog circuitry is very impressive for the cost
• Simple four-knob layout makes it easy to quickly dial in tones
• The Pad feature is ideal for leaving high amounts of headroom when working with either single-coil or humbucker pickups with different outputs
• True-bypass maintains signal integrity even when the pedal is switched off
• Compact, pedalboard-friendly design with robust metal construction

Cons:

• Can be run on batteries but this requires the back to be screwed off
• Quite power-hungry for a compressor pedal so you may need a high-powered power block for integrated pedalboards

Built with all-analog circuitry, the Electro Harmonix Tone Corset Analog Compressor offers an organic feel and excellent response, ensuring a natural and expressive playing experience.

The simple yet precise four-knob design allows you to very quickly shape your sound without needing to crack a manual. Coming with essential controls, Sustain lets you adjust the length of each note played, from subtle sustain to aggressive squash. The Attack control adjusts the speed of the compression, providing increased flexibility for different playing styles.

A standout feature of the Tone Corset is the Pad switch. An uncommon spec but one that totally makes sense for guitarists. This pads down the input gain stage to prevent distortion from higher-output instruments ensuring a clean and distortion-free sound. Switching from humbuckers to active pickups to EMGs doesn’t require you to write down your settings anymore, just switch the pad on and you’ll get optimised input gain.

An underrated parameter for guitar compressor pedals, the Blend knob allows you to easily mix dry and wet signals for parallel compression – perfect for maintaining your guitar’s natural attack while still benefiting from the pedal’s dynamic control.

Designed for life on the road, the Electro Harmonix Tone Corset Analog Compressor comes gig-ready and boasts a robust metal construction that can withstand the rigours of touring. Its small and mighty design makes it a perfect addition to any pedalboard, regardless of size.

Shop now | Electro Harmonix Tone Corset Analog Compressor

4. MXR M102 Dyna Comp Compressor

Best compressor for classic, gritty squashed tone in a simple package

Specifications

• Input Impedance:1 MΩ
• Output Impedance:10 kΩ
• Nominal Input Level:-5 dBV
• Nominal Output Level:-12 dBV
• Noise Floor:95 dBV
• H.D:0.2 Typ. at -20 dBV, 1 kHz
• Max Compression:36 dB
• Attack Time:5 ms
• Release Time:1 s
• Bypass: True Bypass
• Current Draw:3 mA
• Power Supply:9 volts DC

Pros:

• Classic compressor pedal used by some of the biggest names in guitar history
• The simplistic, two-knob design doesn’t complicate setting up your pedal
• Achieve a percussive, click-like attack that’s perfect for funk and soul strumming
• Excellent for enhancing the sustain of held chords or arpeggios
• Rugged, durable metal construction makes it ideal for any stage, studio or pedalboard

Cons:

• Could be considered a one-trick pony
• Lack of time-based parameters such as Attack and Release limit the style of compression you can achieve
• At higher sensitivity levels, it can introduce significant noise, especially when paired with distorted tones

A classic pedal that has been a staple in the world of guitar effects since its release in 1976. The MXR M102 Dyna Comp Compressor is renowned for its ability to deliver a percussive, clicky attack when used with a clean sound, making it perfect for playing funk or pop music. Additionally, the Dyna Comp excels at providing increased sustain dynamic control on lead lines leading it to be a favourite of Pink Floyd’s Dave Gilmour.

There’s not much to say about the Dyna Comp other than if you want squashed, gritty tones with no frills, this is your guy. It’s incredibly simple to use, with only two dials, and can quickly take things from 0 to 100.

The percussive attack slammed to the limit is a staple of classic plucked clean electric guitar, heard on hits in the pop, funk and blues world. But it does have its drawbacks in that once it’s driven quite hard, it can become noisy.

It’s affordable but doesn’t compromise on quality. With durable metal housing and compact size – it’s ideal for integrating into your pedalboard and taking to shows. It can take a beating from aeroplanes, vans, and any other kind of trauma you usually have to go through to get to a show.

Shop now | MXR M102 Dyna Comp Compressor

5. TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor

Best compressor for Toneprint customisation

Specifications

• Controls: Sustain, Level, Attack, Blend
• Modes: Spectra, Toneprint, Vintage
• Inputs: 1 x 1/4” mono Jack
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4” mono Jack
• Bypass: True Bypass
• Power Supply:9V battery or 9V DC Centre Negative 100mA (not included)

Pros:

• Three different modes, capable of producing classic squashed vintage tone to modern pristine transparent compression
• TonePrint technology lets you take the settings of some of the world’s best guitarists, or create your own compression settings entirely from scratch
• Multi-band design compresses three frequency bands independently to ensure balanced dynamics across each string independently

Cons:

• The switch control is in a fiddly position where there is a lot of pedal real estate it could have been placed to be easier to access
• Could take a short while to find your favourite sound when diving into the TonePrint editor

A fantastic pedal for virtually anyone – from rock and metal players to funk guitarists – looking to add a compressor to their board, the TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor has a lot to offer. It’s built on the award-winning MD3 Multi-band and dynamic brick-wall limiter algorithms to deliver a pretty sophisticated sound in a small pedal enclosure.

What separates the Hypergravity from a lot of compressor pedals, is that it lets you have everything. Its three modes sound amazing and perfectly encapsulate their intended tone.

The Spectra mode is a modern, transparent compression that’s more commonly found in studio hardware and switching to the Vintage mode gives you the classic squish of a vintage stomp box. Best of all, every mode has a multi-band design, meaning three frequency ranges are compressed independently for a smooth compression tone across all of your guitar strings.

The main standout of the Hypergravity is the TonePrint switch. This lets you connect to your mobile device (without even plugging it in via cable, just beam it to your phone) and unlock every single parameter inside the algorithm to tailor your compression to your exact playing style. There are also tonnes of presets from some of the world’s best guitar players, the people who tone better than anyone.

Essential parameters such as Attack and Sustain pair nicely with the Blend knob to mix in your dry signal and get tonnes of sustain and more balanced dynamics – without the squashed attack that typically comes from high compression settings.

Shop now | TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor

6. Wampler Mini Ego Compressor

Best compressor for compact travel boards

Specifications

• Controls: Volume, Blend, Sustain, Tone and Attack
• Switches: Tone – Dark, Bright and Attack – Slow, Fast
• Inputs: 1 x 1/4” mono Jack
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4” mono Jack
• Bypass: True Bypass
• Power Supply: 9V DC (not included)

Pros:

• Extremely compact for flying pedalboard rights
• Packs in the same amount of features as the larger version, in a much smaller housing
• Fantastic all-analog sound that’s perfect for all genres
• Capable of delivering squishy pick attack to searing sustain

Cons:

• Flicking the switches during a performance will be tricky due to the pedal’s size
• There are competitors in the price bracket which may offer more desirable features

Compression done right. The Wampler Mini Ego has pretty much everything you need in a compressor, in a compact housing.

It’s flexible, sounds amazing, and is suitable for all kinds of compression tones. The only thing you might say is that it lacks some features when compared to products in a similar price bracket. That’s the price you pay (literally) for quality. It’s an all-analog design, a true bypass, and made in the US by a boutique builder. That solves that conundrum.

The compact version of the larger Ego Compressor, the Mini Ego houses all of the same functionality and keeps every parameter. Two on switches, the rest on mini pots. It’s incredibly simple to use and pretty much no setting sounds bad, no matter what guitar or amplifier you’re using.

Bust out the Strat, turn the Blend down, pull the sustain down, push the volume up, set the tone to Bright and Attack to Fast, and you have it. The classic Strat blues.

You could then turn everything up to 10, swap to a humbucker guitar, and plug into a screaming distorted half stack for gobs of sustain for lead and solo playing.

The Ego Mini is a great solution for guitarists looking for a ‘set-and-forget’ always-on-style compressor that they can dial in once – all without taking up too much pedalboard real estate.

Shop now | Wampler Mini Ego Compressor

7. Boss CP-1X Compressor Pedal

Best compressor for tonal balancing with multi-dimensional processing technology

Specifications

• Nominal Input Level: -20dBu
• Input Impedance: 1 Mohm
• Nominal Output Level: -20dBu
• Output Impedance: 1 Kohm
• Controls: Comp, Ratio, Attack, Level
• Indicators: Check and Gain Reduction
• Inputs: 1 x 1/4” mono Jack
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4” mono Jack
• Bypass: Buffered Bypass
• Power Supply: 18V DC, 90mA (not included)

Pros:

• Signature multi-dimensional multi-band crossover compression adapts to each string evenly for smooth balance across each string and the entire fretboard
• Buffered bypass maintains signal integrity in long pedalboard chains
• One of the few pedals that features a Ratio dial
• The large Gain Reduction meter is extremely handy with coloured LEDs for easy view on dim stages
• Excellent sound quality with reduced noise levels through digital circuitry

Cons:

• 18V Power operation without PSU included could be tricky to power for some pedalboards
• Can be run on batteries to save the 18V power if your board does not support it, but battery life is short
• A blend knob would have been ideal as it’s capable of extremely high compression settings to use in a parallel setup

A name you can trust, Boss always delivers the goods when it comes to affordable, high-quality products. The Boss CP-1X Compressor Pedal is no different and what sets the CP-1X Compressor apart from the rest is its multi-dimensional processing.

One of the first of its kind, the X-series compressor uses ultra-intelligent crossover circuitry to detect the register of your playing and adapts the compression to suit which register you’re playing in. Think of it as a more advanced multi-band processor.

The benefit is the insanely smooth compression across each fret and each string, meaning no more tonal imbalances when under high compression settings. It’s not just the internal circuitry that’s clever, it’s one of the only pedal compressors with a gain reduction meter, and I think this should be utilised across all pedals.

It’s clever, sounds fantastic, and does everything you need it to – from smooth dynamics taming to ultra-aggressive “squish” thanks to the ratio control. Though I do wish there was a Blend knob as this would be an amazing pedal to use in parallel.

That said the CP-1X is one of the most functional and excellent-sounding on my list.

Shop now | Boss CP-1X Compressor Pedal

8. Keeley Compressor Plus Pedal

Best compressor for dialling in compression specific to your guitar

Specifications

• Controls: Sustain, Level, Blend, Tone
• Switch: Single Coil, Humbucker
• Inputs: 1 x 1/4” mono Jack
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4” mono Jack
• Bypass: True Bypass
• Power Supply: 9V  (not included)

Pros:

• Built from a highly-respected builder with a history of producing some of the finest pedals available
• Designed with metal film resistors and capacitors to maintain an extremely clean signal at all times
• Custom-tuned Single Coil and Humbucker switch to adjust the release time to fit the sonic response of certain pickups
• Tone control designed from BBD emphasis circuit

Cons:

• For finely-tuned compression, it doesn’t feature an Attack or dedicated Release knob
• Doesn’t allow you to run extremely-high compression settings for overemphasised effect-like tones

Designed to make understanding compression easier, the Keeley Compressor Plus Pedal adopts a streamlined approach with a unique way of labelling the settings.

Sustain, Level, Blend, and Tone. So far, so good. These are all familiar terminology. Where things change is the Single Coil and Humbucker switch. This switch fine-tunes the response of the pedal, tailoring it to the natural response of certain pickup types. Genius!

The Tone control is another interesting point as it’s no ordinary treble or presence boost. This takes inspiration from vintage effects units and even analog delays. It recovers the treble that gets lost when sent through the compressor, allowing the true nature of your guitar tone to shine through at all times.

Built to last and built with extremely well-made components, this pedal will last you a lifetime. It sounds fantastic but is limited in functionality when compared to more modern, advanced pedals. Ideal for someone who wants a ‘set-and-forget’ compressor to enhance their guitar tone overall, I’d put this down as one of the most natural pedals on my list.

Shop now | Keeley Compressor Plus Pedal

9. Fender The Bends Compressor

Best compressor for playing live on stage

Specifications

• Controls: Drive, Recovery, Blend, Output
• Inputs: 1 x 1/4” mono
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4” mono
• Input Impedance: 1 Mohm
• Output Impedance: 1 Kohm
• Power Requirements: 9V centre negative PSU (not included)
• Power Consumption: 15mA

Pros:

• Perfect for playing on stage with LEDs on each knob, large centre LED and simple battery-powered operation
• Built with two discrete audio paths for clean audio at any compression setting
• High-current symmetrical control path tames audio spikes instantly
• Very cool magnetically-latched hinged battery door compartment

Cons:

• Labelling of the knobs can be confusing if you’re not sure what to look for
• Would love to have seen a dedicated Attack knob on this pedal
• Fender offers another compressor/distortion pedal in one box which may be more convenient for a lot of players

An impressive introduction into the pedal world from Fender, The Bends Compressor has a few tricks up its sleeve to enhance its usability for live performers.

The dual-stage compression design delivers smooth and natural-sounding compression which preserves the integrity of your guitar tone. Without compromising your tonal character, even under high compression settings, The Bends keeps a clean signal.

I think this is ideal for live performers. It’s in a relatively compact design and has some really unique LEDs on each knob and of course the main on/off switch. It can be powered by batteries and has a sleek magnetic battery compartment. That being said, the naming of the dials is uncommon at best and may confuse less experienced compressor users.

Compression is named Drive and time constraints like Attack and Release are merged into one Recovery control. Though they do work entirely as intended, this is something to look out for if you’re unsure how to dial in a compressor properly.

It sounds great and other than the hiccup of figuring out what does what, it can cover all bases that you would need from a compressor. It can go to the extreme and produce the country twang-style sound into a clean amplifier perfectly but can also enhance note sustain seemingly forever. A great all-around pedal!

Shop now | Fender The Bends Compressor

10. Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe Compressor Pedal

Best compressor for immaculate hardware compressor tones

Specifications

• Controls: Dry, Out, In, Ratio, Attack and Release
• Input Impedance: 1 Mohm
• Output Impedance: 1 Kohm
• Power Supply: 9V 77ma, 18V 104mA
• Current Draw: 100mA

Pros:

• One of the best-sounding compressors you’ll find anywhere, studio or guitar pedal
• Goes above and beyond the original hardware design with Dry blend knob
• Crafted out of the finest parts for incredible audio quality and rugged construction
• Can even be used as a high-quality studio compressor for most applications

Cons:

• It’s undeniably expensive, even for what it is
• Stereo inputs and outputs would have been the icing on the cake to use this in a studio re-amp with drums or stereo vocal mixes

Delivering studio-quality 1176-style compression in a compact and guitar-friendly design, the Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe is amongst the finest you can buy. It sounds like the hardware, it responds like the hardware and looks classy, too.

It doesn’t just emulate the hardware, it actually beats it in terms of versatility. Long have producers wished for a blend control on their hardware rack units, well, now guitarists have it on their pedalboards. It features the remaining typical controls you’d expect to find on there, all with proper labelling and nice big dials to tune easily.

As it’s Origin Effects, you know it’s built proper. Discrete, Class-A circuitry, the high-current design delivers excellent compression characteristics. MELF resistors, film, and tantalum capacitors are utilised throughout and it even features a jewel lamp function that acts as a three-colour gain reduction meter.

It can go from subtle transient taming for chord strumming to the most volatile explosive character for outrageous country twang.

Almost nothing sounds bad, however you set the knobs. By nature, it’s a very fast compressor, so it clamps down on the pick attack of a guitar perfectly and helps to enhance the sustain for clean melodies and distorted chords and solos.

The Cali76 is worth having if you’re also a guitarist who records as it can function as a studio compressor! With that said, if this was stereo, it could be a contender for the number one spot.

Shop now | Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe Compressor Pedal

11. MXR M87 Bass Compressor

Best compressor for bass guitar

Specifications

• Input Impedance: 1 Mohm
• Output Impedance: 600 ohm
• Noise Floor: -90dBV
• THD: Less than 0.5%
• Ratio Controls: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1
• Attack Times: 20 – 800 microseconds
• Release Times: 50ms – 1.1s
• Bypass: True Hardwire
• Power: 9V (not included)

Pros

• Visual LED meter for Gain Reduction
• Trademarked Constant Headroom Technology maintains ultra-clean signal for high-output bass guitars even at high compression levels
• Dedicated controls for all the essential compression parameters including Attack, Release, Ratio and Input level

Cons:

• Side-mounted power supply might require an angled cable on compact pedalboards
• Quite power-hungry for a compact pedalboard
• Ratio settings are stepped unlike the rotary encoders of competitors

The MXR M87 Bass Compressor is the only dedicated pedal on the list for bass players, and compression and bass go hand-in-hand. It’s a much more dynamic instrument than the guitar, with lower strings resonating with more intensity than the higher ones, causing massive imbalances in even the tightest of performances.

If you’ve ever heard the sound of a slapped bass, you can guarantee it’s been run through a compressor. Keeping the popping punchy whilst the thumping consistent is the work of a good compressor and the MXR M87 is just that.

The MXR M87 utilises trademarked Constant Headroom Technology (CHT) to maintain ample headroom and exceptional performance at any compression level to avoid unwanted distortion – something that is very easily achieved with bass guitars unfortunately.

It sounds great and is very simple to use. Each knob does exactly what you want it to and it comes with a lot of knobs as well! One for dedicated Attack, Release, Input and Output and the pièce de resistance, the Ratio knob. Going from 4:1 to basically limiting at 20:1, it’s amazing how punchy this thing can get.

Its ease of use is aided by the huge, colour LED Gain Reduction meter. A nice visual cue for more studio-oriented bass guitarists who are aiming for specific levels of gain reduction to balance hearing the compression and it not being too overdone to cause pumping effects.

If you’re a guitarist who owns a bass (we know there are plenty) or a professional bassist looking for punchy slap tones, consistent pick punk bass lines, or thick walking finger-plucked tones, this is the pedal for you.

Shop now | MXR M87 Bass Compressor

What does compression actually do?

Compression is the process of controlling a guitar’s dynamic range, making quiet notes louder and loud notes softer. It enhances sustain, adds clarity, and balances the volume of uneven playing.

Compressors can be used as an ‘always-on’ effect to add life to clean tones or increase the sustain of lead playing without affecting the distortion.

Controls explained

Sustain/Compression

The Sustain setting on a compressor pedal affects the duration of the notes or chords you play before they fade away. It works by amplifying the quieter parts of the audio signal, resulting in a more consistent signal level and prolonged sound.

Attack

The Attack setting controls the speed at which compression takes effect once the audio signal exceeds the threshold. By increasing the speed of the attack for a quicker response, you can soften the transient of your guitar, achieving a smoother sound while maintaining playing dynamics.

Release

The Release setting on a guitar compressor pedal dictates how long compression takes to disengage after the input signal drops below the threshold. Fast release times add excitement, aggression, and perceived loudness by quickly restoring dynamics. Slow release times provide greater dynamic control and smoothness, preserving the guitar’s natural sustain and tonal balance.

Ratio

The Ratio setting determines the amount of compression applied to the input signal exceeding the threshold. Expressed as a ratio, it represents the reduction in the output level for each decibel the input surpasses the threshold. Higher ratios result in more compression, while lower ratios yield a subtler effect, providing control over the dynamics and sustain of the guitar’s tone.

Blend

Mix the compressed signal with the original, uncompressed signal using the Blend control. This feature creates parallel compression, maintaining the guitar’s natural dynamics while blending sustain. The Blend control offers tonal versatility, allowing musicians to achieve the desired balance between compression and the instrument’s natural character.

Level

Adjust the overall output volume of your processed signal with the Level control. This compensates for volume changes as a result of compression, ensuring consistent levels between wet and dry signals. By increasing or decreasing the output level, you can maintain the desired volume while benefiting from the sustained, smooth sound that compression provides.

Things to consider when buying a compressor pedal

Before buying a compressor pedal, you should first consider what kind of compressor you need.

Some compressors colour the sound, making them useful for boosting and lead playing, while others remain transparent, staying true to their guitar and amp signal – these are more suited to dynamic blues and jazz.

You should also be aware that compressors introduce noise, making a noise gate essential.

Additionally, it’s important to examine the controls on the pedal, evaluating their ease of use and functionality in your setup.

FAQs

What compressor pedal does David Gilmour use?

Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour is renowned for using the MXR Dyna Comp compressor pedal. A staple of his guitar tone and pedalboard since 1977, this pedal contributes to Gilmour’s iconic sound by adding boost and sustain to lead tones and creates a pristine clean tone by balancing his playing dynamics.

Does John Mayer use a compressor pedal?

Spotted on his pedalboard, John Mayer uses the Strymon OB.1 compressor pedal. The optical design delivers musical, transparent compression while enhancing sustain without altering the guitar’s natural tone. The subtle dynamics taming and tightening make it ideal for Mayer’s expressive playing style.

Are compressor pedals useful?

Compressor pedals are an extremely versatile and useful tool for guitarists of any genre. They help add boost, thickness, and sustain to distorted guitar solos and clean-plucked pop rhythms and can even out the dynamics for consistent finger-plucked jazz and bass playing, too.

Final thoughts

A compressor is a pedal that I think would benefit every guitarist. They can be used as a switchable effect, just like a delay or reverb pedal, to bring emphasis to certain parts or can be used as an ‘always-on effect’ to enhance your overall guitar tone.

My selection of the best compressor pedals covers a variety of different styles and features, offering something for everyone.