TC Electronic

ManualsBrandstc electronic ManualsGuitar & Bass EffectsEffects Pedal

TOTAL GUITAR AUGUST 2017

ompared with other

pedals like delays and

drives, the humble

compressor might seem

a bit less glamorous – dare we

say it, even boring. However, if

you want self-assured rhythm

playing with an even tone, drive

pedals that respond in a

consistent way, or just some

clean country picking, then a

compressor might be the secret

weapon you’re looking for.

Elsewhere, in technical metal

and math-rock there’s been a

resurgence of various tapping

techniques, which also beneﬁ t

from the compressor pixie dust.

Since rackmount compressors

made the jump into pedal form

decades ago, there have been

countless designs and iterations

and now digital stompboxes can

give anything analogue on the

market a good run for its money.

Don’t believe us? Step this way...

COMPRESSOR PEDALS

106

ike the TC, the Boss CP-1X is a digital

multi-band compressor. It’s the most

expensive of this group but ostensibly the

most feature-rich as well. With an internal

charge pump to 18 volts, a normal nine-volt

power supply will suﬃ ce for optimal

operation and allow for more headroom. The

ubiquity of Boss units means that the layout is

intuitive, moreover, there are simply so many

decent sounds available in this pedal that it’s

hard to come unstuck. Within two minutes,

you’ll have your rhythm parts ironed out and

your tapping solos ringing as intended. We for

one welcome our new robot overlords.

he MXR Dyna Comp is a classic for good

reason. It has been featured on pro

boards for decades and cloned many

times. Despite this, however, it’s hard to not

feel like it’s been standing still while the

competition has got ahead of it. While this

mini version of the larger original has a

welcome toggle switch for attack, in general

the two controls – output and sensitivity –

make ﬁ nding a subtle tone somewhat

laborious although fans of

Under The

Bridge

-style squash will have no problems.

It’s a good-sounding pedal once dialled in, but

not the most ﬂ exible.

BOSS CP-1X

COMPRESSOR

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

MXR DYNA

COMP MINI

SIMPLE AND CLASSIC

£125

£114

E G

FEATURES

SOUND QUALITY

VALUE FOR MONEY

BUILD QUALITY

PLAYABILITY

OVERALL RATING

SUMMARY