Episode 1 – Compressor Guitar Pedals
Let’s begin our journey at the launchpad: a pedal that is utilitarian, maybe not too exciting at first glance but, to put it simply, is essential for our journey: the compressor. And, by the way, I will be giving this Mooer Yellow Comp pedal away for free to one lucky winner, so for more details about how you can win, click here!
What is a compressor?
A compressor pedal does two things. Technically speaking, it takes any parts of your waveform that are past a certain threshold, and reduces their amplitude so that the range is not so varied. But most compressors also boost the volume or gain levels on the low end of that amplitude, so the waveform is being essentially being squashed to keep the levels less variable throughout.
What does this do? It does multiple things:
- It standardizes the level of your attack, meaning that if you hit the strings harder or softer, or even finger-pick them, the output will be more consistent.
- It increases sustain, due to boosting the low-end signal that would normally disappear quite quickly. This can make all the difference in the world not only for fuzzed or distorted solos, but also things like dragging out delay trails or droning, spacey reverb… essential for some of the ambient and post-rock sounds I will be playing.
- Lastly, the squash definitely can also flavor your tone… and this alteration of tone is an iconic sound that’s now a staple essential for multiple styles and instruments, such as funk, country, 12-string, and bass guitars.
In this episode we explore and compare the sounds and features of three popular pedals, using them with a Squier Affinity stratocaster, Squier Bullet telecaster, Ibanez Artcore AFS75T, Danelectro 59×12, and even a Luna ukelele and a Rogue lap steel:
Then we compose a multi-track recording while digging deeper into using this effect to enhance the sustain and lushness of delay and reverb pedals and plugins:
(note: some of the links on this page are affiliate links)