11 Cool Ways To Use A Compressor Pedal - That Pedal Show

In this episode we deliver on a clickbaity title in only the way That Pedal Show can - well over an hour of something somebody half our age could do in about 10 minutes with loads of jump cuts AND boundless enthusiasm. Not here sunshine…
Nevertheless, these are 11 ideas for using a compressor pedal, taking in some general compressor knowledge along the way as well as hearing a bunch of different compressor types. Somewhat surprisingly there is slide, bass and enough funk to sink a modest lilo. Some come on baby, let’s squash…
Enjoy the episode!
Please subscribe to our channel and visit our store www.thatpedalshowstore.com
Life too short for long KZbin videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.
Pedals & stuff in this episode…
• TheGigRig Three2One
www.thegigrig.com/three2one
• TC Electronic PolyTune 2 Mini - No longer made, link to new version
UK & Europe: bit.ly/30GVcUn
USA: imp.i114863.net/jdN0e
Australia: bit.ly/348bMOY
• Vintage MXR DynaComp (links for new versions)
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2qgWgOA
USA: bit.ly/30efWrI
Australia: bit.ly/2WzMUuI
• Analog Man Small Comprossor (with attack and mix controls)
www.analogman.com/rossmod.htm#...
• Keeley Aria
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2KNbLGh
USA: bit.ly/309xPYv
Australia: bit.ly/2KLRXGG
• Origin Effects Cali76 Stacked Edition
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2vMuSdG
Australia: bit.ly/2HbYgAr
USA: bit.ly/3GvlyNO
• Wampler Mini Ego Compressor
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2Falp4Z
USA: bit.ly/3y930jo
Australia: bit.ly/2ISWJzd
• JHS Whitey Tighty
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2Rfjl0q
USA: bit.ly/3EAJhvj
Australia: bit.ly/2KjA3Lk
• Effectrode PC-2A Photo Optical Tube Compressor
www.effectrode.com/products/e...
• Thorpy The Fat General
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3LNonMR
Australia: bit.ly/2ZpbSyu
USA: bit.ly/3uarqZu
• Boss CE-2w Waza Craft Chorus
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2fkq9tv
Australia: bit.ly/2iqp2rs
USA: bit.ly/3rOPqk3
• Catalanbread Topanga Reverb
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2mj3leK
Australia: bit.ly/2qVOTyJ
USA: bit.ly/3DDCorW
• TheGigRig G2
www.thegigrig.com/g2
* Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: www.thatpedalshow.com/partners
Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing: 0:00
- Hello! 1:18
- Springs: 1:35
- What are we doing today? 2:08
- Compression basics: 4:03
- The most famous guitar compressor ever: 4:20
- Threshold: 5:02
- Ratio: 5:38
- Attack: 6:43
- Release: 7:13
- Knee: 7:20
- Thing 1: That Country Picking Sound: 9:10 (10:38)
- Two amps today: 9:54
- Thing 2: Fabulous Funk Chops (albeit not from Mick): 15:20
- DynaComp and Cali76 Stacked compared: 16:49
- Thing 3: Get Sustain For Leads: 20:58 (23:00)
- Honorary mention for Robert Keeley: 27:50
- Comp before and after drive: 28:40
- Thing 4: Try a General Fattener: 31:30 (33:55)
- Humbuckers and single coils? 37:30
- Thing 5: Simulate The Squash Of A Valve Amp? 43:30
- Effectrode PC-21: 44:30
- Bondi In The Effects Loop: 49:30
- Thing 7: Two Compressors At Once…
- and Thing 8: Ease Your Slide Playing: 53:32
- Thing 9: Sweeten Your Modulations: 58:15
- …and a 12-string? 1:01:03
- Thing 10: A Boost For Solos: 1:03:52
- Thing 11: Oh No - Bass! 1:08:07
Guitars in this episode:
• Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster - Mick’s video at bit.ly/2cQv3yT
• Fender Custom Shop ’52 Telecaster - Dan’s video at bit.ly/2Hlpy5Y
• Gibson Custom 1958 Les Paul Standard - watch Dan’s video at bit.ly/2dbwbvS
• Fender Classic Series Jazzmaster Lacquer
• Gibson Memphis 1958 ES-335 - no video yet
• Danelectro 59X12: danelectro.com/guitars/59x12/
• Supro Jamesport (discontinued)
Amps in this episode
• Victory V40 The Duchess and V212VCD cab/Celestion G12M-65 Creamback Speakers
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2KBfRU0
USA That Pedal Shop: bit.ly/3SnrFKn
• 1961 Vox AC30 with Celestion Alnico Blue speakers
We hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to our channel.
You can buy TPS merch to support our efforts www.thatpedalshowstore.com
We are on Patreon - crowdfunding for creatives
/ thatpedalshow
Please visit our preferred retailers!
UK & Europe: Andertons Music bit.ly/2cRvIvt
Australia: Pedal Empire bit.ly/2mWmJQf
USA: That Pedal Shop www.thatpedalshop.com/

[@OhBHayes]

There once was a player named Mick, with many-a-tasty lick, his latest obsession is pedal compression and his tone is massive and thick!

[@grisok]

What a fantastic limerick about Thick Lick Mick

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

@@grisok I hope Thick Lick Mick sticks.

[@mmmichelin1]

A healthy guy like Mick should like being called thick. It’s clearly not a reference to his waist. OFC, saying one is thick can be an insult (ie-thick skulled). It’s like a pet name you might give to a politician whose policies you disagree with. In a musical context it’s great, and the ladies like a good “Thick Mick Lick” as well. You could say that episode after episode he consistently gives us a good “thick Micking.”

[@coolvibesradio3267]

they call him: Mick Sick Lick

[@mattgilbert7347]

@@mmmichelin1 Rumour has it he's *the* General Fattener When you've got thick licks and they call you General, you've got everything.

[@tituschalk]

Sometimes I forget there's a TPS every Friday, and when I get home from a crappy day and instinctively open up KZbin, it always puts me in a great mood to discover it. Thanks for everything you do guys, it's a real lift to many of us.

[@davidgood6744]

Alternate click bait title: So You Bought a Compressor Because It Seemed Like A Reasonable Thing For a Guitarist To Do and Now You Would Like To Know Exactly What The Hell You’re Supposed to Do With One. Too wordy?

[@tcarad2]

David Good this title needs some compression

[@shawndouglass2939]

No, describe me cept I'm finding out what it does before I get one

[@isaacwilliams9919]

“COMPRESSOR EXPLOXES AND KILLS DAN (GONE WRONG) (COPS CALLED) feat: Brian Wampler”

[@BrianSGuitars]

@@tcarad2 LOL

[@markdavidofficial4274]

It’s not wrong lol

[@PaulSmith-ji3js]

Seriously - Mick and Dan are 2 of the best players around - so graceful and gifted. The subtlety and layers of delicacy in their picking, melodies etc is just breathtaking.

[@ThatPedalShow]

That is incredibly kind Paul, thank you. Humbled and continuing forwards. :0)

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I know Nile. Super cool & down-to-earth guy. Knows Crazy-Music Theory. I have taken his recording classes, & have gone clubbing & hung-out with him in NYC. "He got da Funk" - One of the Best R&B Guitar players & Songwriters on the planet = The Hitmaker !!!

[@pedalgazer7109]

Good show guys! I bought a Keeley Aria a while back after you guys demoed it. I was putting together a pedal board for my new band- a alt country, folk rock thing. That pedal is magic. I am def a "general thickener" type. I leave the Aria comp on all the time- set to just give my guitar a "little extra" - and boy- that one pedal (with the tone knob up a smidge) does more for my guitar than anything else. I find it also helps one switch guitars- humbuckers too dull?- dial up the tone knob a smidge, singlecoils lacking sustain after you get used to the sound of your humbuckers? - just dial up a bit more sustain. Perfect. You guys did an "always on" show a while ago- the Aria is it for me- so good!

[@jt3483]

I couldn't figure out compression for the longest time. Just picked up a Pigtronix Micro Germanium Philosopher's Tone and wow... love it. It is exactly what I was looking for to go with my new amp. Love the natural sound of the amp, and the compressor gives me that plus more, without coloring the sound too much at all.

[@joshuapdavis74]

That pure joy in the intro is infectious. That's the stuff. Well done, guys.

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I have 6 compressors and have sold 2 or 3 others. I recently bought the Fat General. Everything you said is spot on about it.I will still keep 5 of my other favs as they work uniquely to solve problems as you have mentioned. The Seymour Duncan Vice Grip has a 20:1 ratio. It is killer for players using dirt pedals that want a 'wall of sound' for very, very long sustained power chords.

[@mattburdock1734]

"It's the overdrive for your clean sound" :))

[@ThatPedalShow]

yeah baby :)

[@hammill444]

I keep hearing people say that. But I've never been able to hear or feel it that way. Useless pedal in my opinion. Particularly since they are so ridiculously expensive.

[@Psyfonify]

@@hammill444 then dont think of it that way then if it doesn't feel that way to you. To me, it is my "give me another bar of this note I'm holding without changing the sound of my overdrive" button, placed first in my chain after the wah. How anybody could live without a free extra bar of sustain button that sounds natural upon engagement instead of "oh he kicked on a pedal"...beats me

[@hammill444]

@Infinite Revery Nope. Sustain isn't everything to everybody.

[@keithremedy]

@@hammill444 you’re not using the right compressor period. Wasn’t a fan until I got a Slide Rig. Anything from Origin Effects is what you want

[@johnbeloe]

Talking about using something you wouldn't expect to use as a boost, I've recently been using an Effectrode Tube Vibe in the vibrato setting, no vibrato volume up. Best clean boost I've ever owned! 12ay7 in v1, two 12at7s after. Awesome! Great episode today chaps

[@LTsurge10]

Loved seeing some bass in the this video hope y’all do more with it. I’d love to see what you guys thing about drives and fuzz on bass

[@matnukin1584]

It’s really interesting that a compressor for me at least is an effect of feel rather than anything you actually hear. I use a 5-knob Ross-style pedal with blend. I always set it up so that when I twist the knobs it sounds almost like it’s off. But it feels a whole lot different than with the pedal off. Plus, it’s a blessing at low volumes. The amp sounds like it’s louder. Another thing is that I run my comp after the dirt. The good thing in this is that into my one-channel amp, the always-on reverb at the end of the chain will not get too overwhelming if I run my overdrives really hot. Kind of a limiter in this use, I guess. Of course, when using it like this you lose some of the fun with overdrives. Whenever I run the amp loud I don’t feel a need to use a comp as often. This leads to the fact that almost all gain pedals need to be set up in this scenario a bit differently. But that’s the nature of the game.

[@ZaneDWells]

I love my Wampler Ego Compressor. There is lot I don't understand about compression, but I do know it's sounds better when it's on.

[@JasonClute]

Just when I thought my mind wasn’t blown enough with modulation and compression, you do it on the bass too 🤯 Game changer for me! Thx for all you do!

[@XLR8Wales]

At 15.33 Dan having a sulk over mick being able to honk Nile Rogers . ... Classic

[@Guitaural.]

Mick 'Pinot Noir Palladino' on bass! I almost dusted off my robot dance moves with the Nile Rogers chops early on...good thing you stopped when you did! Good Show guys!

[@_RLP]

I asked you about an update on comps awhile back and you said you had something in the works, but I never thought it would be this good an update. Definetly one of my favorite TPS episodes ever. I've always been a fan of comps and this was absolutely stellar. Much respect and appreciation. Cheers

[@rs700910]

For a newbie like me, thanks for clearing up what “type” of compressor I like the sound of.. and more importantly how and when to use it. 👍

[@tedayre]

When I saw this week's video was about compressors I was SO happy! I've been interested in compressors for a while but didn't really know how to use them. Thanks for showing me the ways of the force D&M!

[@jeremiahmccann83]

I have a feeling the real name of this episode should be “Mick tries to find a compressor he might like”. Either way, love the episode as always, great work gentlemen.

[@lucasheidenreich7861]

Loved the discussion on the Niles Rogers direct tones! Could you guys do an episode on how to get great “direct into the console” tones using pedals? Could cover everything from Zeppelin to Niles to Prince. I’m sure there are some great preamps and compressors that would get you there!

[@Zilmayjaink]

Jhs color box my friend!

[@caleshtcincredibles]

Compressor is an always on thing for me I thought I knew what I needed to know you dudes smashed my illusion and a BIG THANKS for that. I am going have watch this a few times......like button smashed!!

[@aaroncurtis4476]

Super helpful video guys. I’ve been a fan of optical compressors as both a slight compression and tone enhancement at the start of my chain. Recently upgraded to the Union Tube & Transistor Lab compressor, which is based on the LA-2A, LA-3, and LA-4 studio compressors. Super sweet pedal. Again, great job on this one guys!

[@Cornan1980]

The compressor 101 video that you mention around 3:05 was the first TPS video I ever watched! I've seen every one since. Thanks for all the content, guys!

[@HumbleInitiative]

Thx for this episode. I just bought my first simple 'budget' compressor and immediately see the benefits. Now you've got me contemplating an upgrade.

[@MythosSoundStudio]

Compressor, disco lights, and a bass. Get out my platform shoes, huge 70s collar, and plenty of polyester! Great show guys. Always a reminder of how versatile a simple thing like compression can give that extra ‘something’. Cheers.

[@lifeworldmusic4855]

mick absolutely killing it with the sounds made in the beginning. my ears thank you

[@kylepatterson8445]

Thank for going over. Compression can be such a boring topic to listen to, especially since you guys were getting technical about it. But once you actually start playing with it yourself, it just make all the difference in the world. You guys first introduced me to this and my life has never been the same. I can't believe I used to play without it. Once the modulation came in, my attention when back to the video from what I was doing lol.

[@JoePerkinsMusic]

Been a happy Effectrode PC-2A user for a few years but always wished it had a slightly slower attack....managed to completely miss the fact that it has an internal trim for that! Slowed the attack down....now absolutely perfect! Thanks folks :-)

[@user-oy7gz5bf2h]

Never thought of doing that lick at 0:37! Nice! It'll take a bit of work to use it in context.

[@dirtyhilljack]

Another great show guys! In all the things you have discussed that impacts your sound, you have touched on the number of speakers 1x12 vs 2x12 vs 4x12, but how would different speakers in you amps/cabs impact things? How would an alnico blueback impact a tubescreamer sound compared to a greenback? Or a creamback with higher wattage? What about Jensen speakers (classic fender)? What do you all prefer for speakers, all the same or mix and match? Keep up the awesome work!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

12 String Danelectro!! The double string thing is already a bit chorus-ey, but with the CE-2W it took it over the edge. Great sounds!

[@anthonyS84235]

I agree - recently you have done a effect combination show, and compressor+chorus is something I used a lot in my "progressive rock" band in the 80's (Boss CS2 +CE2). I also did compressor+flanger (electric mistress + CS2 as a sustainer) it gives also a cool effect (you can strum the "walking on the moon" chord really hard and let it ring like a synth pad...)

[@BaronsDuju]

Some love for the Keeley Aria at the start using both the drive and comp sides. I’ve been using mine against a mid gain Marshall to give it a boost. It’s good!

[@scottw9732]

Great stuff, guys. I am currently shopping for a compressor, and now I have some better questions to ask, thanks for that. The bass loop was just great, too. The only thing else I could have asked for was Dan picking up his Jazzmaster to join in at the end and make it a true Funkadelic Friday. Cheers! Oh, and if you guys do go to live stream VCQ, I truly hope you can still read all the comments. I am about 5 hours behind you, and I can't watch until you are either in bed or in a bar. Hard to watch or listen with power saws and air compressors running, and it would suck to feel left out. The ways you guys involve and interact with your viewers is just awesome. It makes you the best show on youtube.

[@forester057]

I finally pulled the trigger on a Cali 76 couple of months ago. First heard one on this show and wanted one for ages (but dang they’re expensive). Tried a couple of other highly recommended and while they were pretty good the Cali is just fabulous especially for articulate clean playing and for making your solos sing. I’m a pos 4/5 strat player that likes clean/edge of clean mostly with OD for many solos of course. At home the compressor helps my amp sing at lower volumes. Thanks guys for making me sound so much better. Family still doesn’t listen lol but it makes me feel better when Chris Bucks wife closes the door on him. 😂

[@ragingchimera8021]

Yep, good compression isn't cheap compression.

[@MattVoyageOfSound]

Boss cs3 is my always on pedal. It evens out frequencies and gives some more sustain. It is 2nd after tuner and before the il torino. I absolutely love it

[@GazMoz78]

Best bit was the bass section at the end! War of the world's bass-line Horsell Common and the heat ray!!!! Followed by some mighty jazzy blues bass. AWESOME :-)

[@livi39]

Thanks gents! Hearing about the various parameters around 6:00 was enlightening. As a suggestion, having a white board to draw up the bits you draw in the air would be supremely useful to demonstrate the impact on the signal. Even just a little hand held one stuck to the stool you can whip out would be great.

[@rawknbearbell7032]

Great job describing all the uses of compression. I will say it's one of those things that you kind of need to be in the room to understand or at the very least be playing it yourself. Even with y'alls wonderful audio production and headphones, it's still a little hard to grasp. It did peak my interest however, so mission accomplished guys! Awesome work as usual.

[@bhcarpenter]

Great to see Barber get a brief mention! Their stuff is outstanding.

[@khai_nomore8613]

Compressors. Used to be my only pedal I used. The red MXR dynacom was a solid performer and built like a tank.

[@radpastorchad]

That 335 steals the show. I always treated compression as a dirty word, but I was really only thinking of one use for it. well done, my friends!

[@pedalscapes]

Fab! only got as far as number one but loving it already, will watch rest later, cheers...

[@davidozab2753]

Finally found the right compressor for me. A Mooer Yellow Comp. Got it yesterday at my local music store. After years struggling with compressors, I learned that optical compressors are right for me.

[@monkobillo5806]

if you guys ever look more at cheaper pedals then I highly recommend the Mooer Yellow. great always-on pedal that is fairly subtle as a compressor but which really thickens up your sound. also very quiet

[@DragonofLimerick]

It was such a blast to watch you guys just tooling around and improvising

[@satchmodog2]

Ha! Thank you, mates! I've been waiting for this. I thought you forgot about it!! :)

[@coop1912]

Glad to see the bass yes as i play both and you have sparked new ideas thanks

[@weschilton]

NIce timing! I just got my Cali76 in the mail... cant wait to compare it to my Keeley Bass Comp!

[@Locust66]

Ah my Friday lunch treat is here ♥️

[@sameoldjames]

Yep confirms that Bass is definitely it’s own thing... great episode love the Nile Rogers 1176 sound!

[@simpleking1]

Wow, Mick! I'm only 1 min in and I need to restart the video. That was some serene bending you did there! Kudos to all your practice and musical love.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thanks Tim!

[@giantessmaria]

Great stuff, thanks again guys for the very informative vids... On a side note, i was trying to figure out where Mick keeps his pick when he goes to finger style playing...absolutely love his style ....some great country riffs as well...got be inspired to try my best Buck Owens and Roy Clark impersonations! ;)

[@JesusGonzalez-sd3ql]

I love these guys, they just love what they do !!!

[@floydgrobinson]

best ending to a night in the studio with whiskey and other consciousness altering...ehem greetings from Nashville boys :) good morning night

[@themattitude]

I have a CS-1, which, being kind, has its own particular thing. Part of that thing is not a lot of sustain, so I occasionally use it with a clean boost slammed into the front.

[@Bmont1491]

I was expecting a Phil X episode but hey im never going to complain about anything you do ever!

[@johnroberts838]

Hi Dan and Mick, Excellent Show 👍👍👍. Great ways to use a Compressor, Thank you! I enjoyed the Bass Segment, Laughed with the "Sometime Later" on the screen,, just Brilliant. Take care ♥️👍. Melbourne, Australia.

[@toploadtele]

New Pedal day! I just scored the new Walrus Audio Optical comperosor partially due to this lesson on guitar comperssion... Fantastic tool!

[@3l84r70]

I use my PC2A just like that... and almost exactly same settings... sounds divine!

[@allidoisplay]

this is hands down my favorite of your musical intros. full staff guys, full staff.

[@noisecode5867]

Also Niles' one of a kind guitar is part of that tone. He has quite a unique strat worth a study in itself.

[@kaiserjoe2316]

After watching I had to get the Keeley Aria. It's bloody marvelous. Thanks guys!

[@danielo174]

Really helpful and enlightening. Thank you very much gentlemen!

[@dtop200]

Great explanations of how a compressor pedal works guys 🤘 both of you have a crackin sense of humour too 👍

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

I love all the compressors in my Zoom G3Xn. Make me sound like I know how to play!

[@TheSutts12]

The excitement I got from thinking ‘my god they are lighting up the dials so we an see how and what they are dialling in!!!! Flip yeah’ to the slump of realising it was the way the lighting of the room hit the Cali comp was a real roller coaster and one I couldn’t take on a regular basis

[@jeandrevanzyl2588]

Mick, that slide playing was tasty. Especially the bit with the Cali from 55:19

[@semin811]

nice video thanks tps. Now I need to go and buy a comp pedal! I've been wanting to ask this for a while, but guys, I really really loved the OCD pedal that you used on the show before. I want to get one used but found out that there are so many versions of them. I can't go out and buy all of them for comparison but I wonder if you guys can bring them on the show! I really enjoyed the in-depth video on the RAT pedal. Can we get a in-depth show on other pedals? like OCD or Klon clones! from very cheap to original vintage! Thanks and Hi from Korea!

[@richclayton5785]

Great detailed explanations! Thanks!

[@tskjek08]

Sweet bends in the intro Mick! I love compression and for decades it has been an “always on” pedal for me. For the past year or so I have been using the Keeley Aria so was glad to see that on the board. My favorite rhythm sound is probably the tightly compressed sound Bryan Adams gets on Reckless - particularly on Run To You. That Strat thru a Vox sound is something I’m always aiming for with a little “squash” on it to make it tight. Great show as usual lads!

[@egokillerband]

Just use Lyon by Washburn LL15 made in China so cheap to buy if you can find one. Sounds exactly like the Reckless album. I bought one to sell at the car boot ended up keeping it because it's that classic 80s Adams sound!

[@gitargris]

@1.08:30 YES" That riff is from War of the Worlds by Jeff Wayne! That's awesome! :) Great episode, as well! Cool that you mentioned the Barber Tone Press. That's been my go-to compressor for many years.

[@nismofire1388]

Yes! So glad to hear some country tones!!!! Mick's Strat sounds killer compressed! I need those pickups in my Strat. Dan, where is Red? I have to say though, that blonde Tele with the Topanga and compression reminded me of Danny Gatton.

[@dclange]

The sound of that amplifier combo today was Ace! (to coin a phrase)

[@Tomsdrawings]

Would you use the Cali76 also for compressing vocals in the studio? How would you deal with impedance then? The same question goes for the studio grade pre-amp pedals of the latest generation. How about using them as studio preamps on mics (could be lovely on double bass)?

[@ragingchimera8021]

Thing 4 is my thing... I use an Empress Effects compressor for this and it works beautifully. Great info guys, thank you!

[@chrisj2155]

I love the playing fellas, and an episode I’ve been keen to see for a while. I must confess, I’ve struggled with my compressor somewhat (it’s an xotic SP), with it prompting a lot more feedback when I’m operating with moderate gain, but because it sounds so good on cleans, I never end up turning it off and have to “ride the feedback wave” a bit. Any pointers on how to manage this?

[@timjones9727]

Hi Guys, I use a small 2w Fender Greta into a 1x12 at home. Thanks to Dan’s advice I now have on my pedal board a TC Spark to control the little monster that is the Greta followed by my Love Pedal OD11. Question is, having pulled my MXR Dyna Comp out from under the sofa do I put it before or after the Spark?

[@whatsthatnoise8497]

How can people dislike this? So much better than any talking head on tv!!! No more tele of Netflix for me.

[@PJSGBC]

Thanks for the hard work guys...

[@leavnsmallville78]

Nice show, gentlemen. Have you done any episodes featuring single-ended tube amps? Would you consider such a thing? Thanks, keep up the good work.

[@ajsrhodes]

Great show guys! Now I don't feel like an oddball with 2 compressors on my pedal board. I have a Bogner Harlow at the front of the chain and a Pigtronix Philosophers Tone after my drive pedals and before my modulation and delays.

[@philipharris2273]

A really good guide to compression, although given the recent offerings from Wampler, Keeley, Strymon, an update would be appreciated. And yes, pedal makers ARE artists. The work of Marcus Reeves is breathtaking!

[@Yupppi]

I recently remembered how That Pedal Show was when it started (also watched an old vid). Mick would always take the role of "I know nothing and don't understand this stuff, so would you please explain this in simply understandable terms". After asking, it apparently was also partly honest like a guitar clinic interview thing. This episode brought back those memories, I don't know how long it's been since Mick last time started with something like "I honestly don't know". I suppose you guys have also learned a lot since the beginning :) It feels like these days the only things Mick really just lifts his hands up is those unnecessarily complex digital systems with endless menus. And compression. And even that said, I recall Mick really studied that one Boss system or whatever it was to be able to use it to demonstrate its features. Long way mates, long way. Now Mick playing slide guitar with compressor sounding very low, I wonder if Joey Landreth made a huge impression... And I can't even list all the things I've learned here and how much it has expanded my possibilities with sound. I used to be straight into overdrive channel with integrated reverb guy, but now I have a small pile of pedals, looking to grow it and they are amazing tools. Compression is still that thing that I just don't know how to use properly and don't have any feel for. I've tried using some plugins with more parameters to dial it in slightyl, but it's always either: don't hear any difference or: too much, sounds silly. Like "I don't hear the quiet notes too well, I don't hear the quiet notes too well... and now it's twangy country because the loud notes get squashed...". Especially the part about using attack and release. I understand what they do, but I have no idea how to actually dial them in and what kind of applications there are for different releases for example, when do you hear the difference in release? So I'm really happy about this episode! Maybe you could have an episode like this about flanger (despite the few already existing flanger vids) too! It's an effect I'd like to learn to use subtly and in context. Watching Dan love it so much I'd love to understand it so that it doesn't sound like a coke bottle effect. After watching the episode I was left with one more question: what kind of compressor (brand, model) would you use for different applications, what do you require for which. Because there are simple ones and ones with a lot of controls, apparently the similar ones also sound different and different application probably needs different things. Like overdrives are plenty and for different uses, but how to compare them. With overdrive you can quickly judge the amount of gain and the character, be it tubescreamery, distortion, boost, klon etc. The controls are usually just extra adjustment, but you get an idea what to use it for. What do you listen to in a compressor and so on. I guess the question comes out as confused as the compressor is for a non-educated. The JHS pedal was really nice, it was the first one where I went "oooh this is a sound".

[@BrandOdyssey]

Custom shop Tele is back! Love the sound on that.

[@joseenriqueperezportugal3409]

The compressor after OD Sound awesome!!!! Like a valve amp squish Tone!

[@KarlElvis]

I have a question about the Cali 76 stacked vs the compact deluxe - I’m totally loving the sound of the stacked edition in demos, but it does not appear to have any way to change the compression ratio. Do you miss having that feature? It seems like it’d be a major feature loss (with what little I know of compression).

[@tonyduva8849]

Damn! What a great show! Much knowledge gained! AGAIN. Thanks guys. I love this show.

[@BrantonLangley]

This is just what the Dr ordered!! Thanks!

[@freebooterbiker]

intro...my cup o tea!!!

[@janatherton9194]

When you were talking about Nile Rodgers, the guitar playing also reminded me very strongly of Edwyn Collins and Orange juice too, it almost went into Rip It Up a few times.

[@SunnyvilleMusic]

Great episode guys! I've been using my Fender The Bends as an always on sustainer for my strat cleans. A VCQ about placement - on my board I have been trying the Amp11 before the compressor and a POT after it. Seems like it's reducing the sustain when I have all three of those on, as compared to the Amp11 and The Bends. Any idea on why this may be happening?

[@16brentboy]

I believe the pedal can change your relationship with your guitar and the way you choose to use it. Great job fellas.

[@SeanMower42]

Hey guys! Any thoughts on single coil sized humbuckers and how they compare to their full sized counterparts? Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience! Much appreciated!

[@biteyourcigarette2573]

Very helpful guys! How about fast attack slow release light-medium compression for palm mute heavy OD/dist tones ? :3 i find compression takes the sloppy tone of vintage amp and pick ups and brings it together for nice full sounded ride. Especially with EQ

[@Aleph_Null_Audio]

I used to use an optical compressor as part of my acoustic rig. I'd kick it on for the softer finger style stuff as a "general fattener". I slight volume boost evened out the level with pick playing and it added back some of the punch that I'd lose from ditching the pick.

[@jsalmons84]

Great video! I’ve always used a comp as a “general fattener”. I wish more people would include multi-band compressors in their videos for this reason. The TC hyper gravity and Boss CP-1X are two options. Have you ever tried them???

[@davidmaher1313]

I'm building my 1st guitar pedal, and I'm curious to know if a compression pedal is a good, core pedal to own as I discover sounds and tone that I love?