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Compression 101


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I will venture the compression pedal is one of the least understood pedals on our pedal boards. It is probably not fair to say this just based on my ignorance of the workings of the compression pedal, but if I am at all representative it may be true. I'm sure many, as I did, dialed in settings until it "sounded good" and left it there. 

This is the best explanation/tutorial video I have seen on how to use a compression pedal.  There are many more videos on YouTube and also on places like Sweetwater, on their website, that have explanations.  But most of them, the Sweetwater ones as  perfect examples, are little more than suggested settings.  (I highlighted "video" above because this is the best video I've seen.  I also have a link at the end of this post for a good print article.)

This video goes into all the different settings, demonstrating the knobs on different compression pedals may have different terms for the same settings, demonstrates with graphs how the settings effect tone (the geek in me loves the graphs), and even uses Jimmy upstairs, mom on the main floor and dad in the basement for example🤔

JHS pedals is a pedal manufacturer so one would logically expect lots of selling of his product.  But, in all of his pedal videos, he goes to great lengths to describe lots of his favorite pedals from other manufacturers.  He also always includes humor ("start your own music genre, spaghetti western"!)  and he always ends every video with a record that  demonstrates remarkable use of the effect he is discussing.  Finally, he is a very good guitar player and demonstrates the settings he uses.

If you are the type that prefers a written explanation this, perhaps somewhat self-aggrandizing, article calls itself the Ultimate Guide to Guitar Compressor Pedals. Ultimate or not it is very comprehensive.
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