We recently had the privilege of testing out our first effects pedal from PRS Guitars, the Horsemeat Transparent Overdrive, and it was an absolute hit. Today, we’re looking at a 2nd pedal from Paul and crew, moving in a different direction sonically, but keeping that PRS quality and tone intact. The Mary Cries Optical Compressor is everything you want in a compressor pedal, if you use them, and everything you never knew you...
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After a bit of a break, I’m excited to have another wonderful creation from Pigtronix back for you all today! Compressed overdrive is a sound you can get from your amp, or from pedals, with many variations in tone depending on what order those pedals are in. The Philosopher’s Tone 2 is a compression sustainer with optional grit, kicking it into high gear when you need it the most. Building on the original design, this one...
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We’re continuing our lineup run-through of the first four pedals from Bolt & Forge Analog Audio today. Coming to you from Yakima, Washington, we’re excited to jump back in and check out the third of FOUR effects they sent over, the Sawbones Optical Compressor. Bringing the funk and evening out the most fluctuating of signals, let’s see what it can do for you… The Appaloosa is a noise-free, full-featured...
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Our friends over at Poison Noises are releasing new versions of their entire lineup of effects pedals, and have asked us to help showcase these overhauled creations. We’re looking at 2 pedals a week for the next couple months, continuing today with The Vacuum Optical Compressor V2. Strap in and get prepared to explore a universe of dazzling compression, folks…. The Vacuum V2 is an optical compressor that brings you dynamic...
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We’ve had a blast reviewing and demoing this round of pedals from our friends down at Mozztronics in Australia, and we’ve got the last one from this bunch for you today. Many revered studio compressors are old valve (vacuum tube) units used an optical element for the compression. These compressors were easy to dial in, and no matter what setting you put the controls at, they never sounded bad…interesting, but never...
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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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While a good compressor pedal might not be everyone’s cup o’ tea, we here at Pedal of the Day LOVE ’em, and are always excited when a new one comes through the shop. We dig it even more if it’s from our friends at Orange Amps, who are always redefining the way we all should look at and approach music, through effects, amps and more. Their newest compressor offering is the Kongpressor, a Class A effect that...
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Recently, we’ve had the pleasure of checking out the new Galaxy ’74 Tape Echo & Reverb and Del-Verb Ambience Companion from Universal Audio, and were (as usual) pretty blown away. Today, we’re looking at the final unit in their latest lineup releases, the Max Preamp & Dual Compressor. Providing all the funk your single coils (and humbuckers, too) can handle, along with a gorgeous vintage-sounding preamp,...
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The fine folks at Flamma Innovation are back at it, releasing FIVE new pedals, all of which we’re going to take a look at here at Pedal of the Day. This week, we wrap things up with the FC21 Analog Compressor, a simple effect that takes your tone to the next level. Whether you’re on a budget, or just looking for a new, funky sound, this little one has got you covered… There’s nothing quite like the subtle ways...
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Earlier this month, we were fortunate enough to be able to check out the Star Eater, a wild analog fuzz machine from Pigtronix, and really dug the new style of that pedal. Today, we’ve got their latest release, an intriguing, not really before seen effect that will take you on a musical journey like none you’ve encountered before. The Gloamer Polyphonic Amplitude Synthesizer Compressor isn’t as complicated as the...
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Love ’em or hate ’em, compressors have a place in the musical world – on vocal/instrument microphones, recording/studio gear, interface plugins and, of course, pedalboards. Today’s squishy treat comes to us by way of our friends at Crazy Tube Circuits, improving on one of their existing creations. The φ (Phi) Golden Ratio Compressor is an all-analog unit that’s been ungraded to include 3 separate...
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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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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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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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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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After already getting our grubby mitts on the Tru-Tron 3X and Boostron 3 effects pedals from Mike Beigel and the newly revamped Mu-FX, we absolutely could not wait to see what today’s pedal had in store for us. Boy, did it deliver and then some! The Phasor 2X is the Modern Vintage Analog™ refinement of the original Musitronics® Phasor II pedal, but housed in Mu-FX’ signature “mini-mu” enclosure, and featuring...
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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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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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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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We recently had the chance (in collaboration with Sweetwater) to check out the first couple of pedals from PRS Guitars, the Horsemeat Transparent Overdrive and the Mary Cries Optical Compressor. Today, we’re taking a look at the third and last pedal in their current lineup, the Wind Through the Trees Analog Flanger. This modulation machine provides 2 flanger circuits in one pedal, broadening what you thought was possible with...
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Delay is the best effect out there, hands-down…BUT, I do love a good compressor and a good preamp, too. Fortunately, today’s pedal, the Niche Devices Humboldt Preamp SE combines both of these effects into one brilliant effect, with broad range and total tonal control. Conceived over the course of two years, this original circuit offers optical compression coupled with a high headroom preamplifier, and features the unique...
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AC/DC. Even if you’re not a fan (not sure why that would be, but whatever), there’s still a good chance you know the words to at least 10 of their songs, if not more. Part of the appeal they’ve had since their inception in 1973 is, hands down, the guitar sound that seemingly has stayed exactly the same over the last 4+ decades. Angus Young’s signature schoolboy uniforms, love of SGs and the tone he produces are...
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