Compressor | Guitar World

“A journey into the soul of timeless studio tones”: Wampler looks to cram the essence of the legendary studio compressor that “shaped the fabric of music” into a pedal with the Ego 76

By Phil Weller published 8 March 24

The new stompbox pays homage to the legendary 1176 Peak Limiter, complete with a standout sparkling finish

Everything you need to know about guitar compression: its history, how it works and how it can make your guitar sound better than ever before

By Huw Price published 22 February 24

Every guitar sound – whether on vinyl or Spotify – has been compressed. Here’s our guide to how to dial in your guitar compression settings, and what a compressor can do for you

“Enhances your tone and feel with little to no effort”: Misha Mansoor wants Horizon Devices’ new Clarity Compressor to be your new always-on pedal

By Phil Weller published 18 January 24

The pedal was designed to “take the guesswork out of compressors” with Periphery guitarist and Horizon chief Mansoor saying it’s the only pedal he never turns off

“Affordable, gig-worthy stompboxes that bring pro-level polish and timeless tones to any rig”: Universal Audio UAFX Evermore, Heavenly, Orion and 1176 review

By Chris Gill published 11 January 24

Offering studio hardware in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format, UAFX is democratizing reference-quality guitar tones – and we can't get enough of it

Electro-Harmonix Pico Platform Compressor/Limiter review – small, affordable and makes you sound better

By Stuart Williams published 6 December 23

This new launch from EHX is now one of the mini compressor pedals to beat

Origin Effects Cali76 compressor pedal on a brown metal floor

Best bass compressor pedals: Our pick of pedals for keeping your low end dynamics in check

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 16 October 23

We look at the best compressors for bass, from some of the biggest names around including MXR, Boss, Aguilar and more

Electro-Harmonix Pico Platform Compressor/Limiter pedal

Electro-Harmonix just launched a serious competitor in the mini compressor pedal stakes

By Michael Astley-Brown published 9 August 23

The Pico Platform Compressor/Limiter won’t take up much room on your pedalboard, but it will deliver studio-style squeeze with plenty of flexibility

DOD Compressor 280 review

By Alex Lynham published 5 July 23

A good compressor is a guitarist's best friend and this compact optical comp is the sort of pedal you might never turn off. Do the market-leading Boss and MXR comps need to be worried?

Maestro Agena, Arcas, Mariner and Orbit review

By Alex Lynham published 8 February 23

Gibson's expansion of its freshly-revived Maestro effects continues apace – we put its compressor, phaser, tremolo and envelope filter to the test

PRS Horsemeat, Mary Cries and Wind Through the Trees pedals review

By Chris Gill published 24 January 23

Paul Reed Smith's pedalboard debut offers top-tier options for transparent overdrive, optical compressor and analog flanger

Orange Sustain review

By Trevor Curwen published 24 November 22

The Vintage Series from Orange Amps revisits the archive for a trio of retro stompboxes – none more classic than this optical compressor

How the MXR Dyna Comp became the go-to compressor pedal for countless all-star guitarists

By Chris Gill published 21 October 22

Much loved by Andy Summers, Yngwie Malmsteen and legions of country players, the Dyna Comp is the little red box that became an evergreen choice for those looking for pro-quality compression

PRS announces its entry into the effects pedal world with three all-new stompboxes

By Matt Owen last updated 30 September 22

Horsemeat, Mary Cries and Wind Through The Trees were inspired by Paul Reed Smith's personal pedal builds

Becos CIQ5 CompIQ Pro Stella Compressor review

By Steve Lawson published 18 August 22

With a comprehensive set of controls over your dynamics, Stella is a pro-quality tone-sweetener that offers studio-quality compression for your pedalboard

Walrus Audio promises “mountains of sustain and a smooth attack from” the Mira Optical Compressor pedal

By Jonathan Horsley published 2 August 22

Take full control of your dynamics with a highly tweakable studio-grade compressor that features a handy side-chain hi-pass filter

Aguilar DB599 Bass Compressor pedal review

By Mike Brooks published 10 May 22

A super-compact, transient-taming compressor from the storied bass amp brand

Source Audio's new Atlas Compressor pedal

Source Audio promises a comprehensive library of compression with new Atlas Compressor pedal

By Jackson Maxwell published 6 May 22

Said to be more than a decade in the making, the Atlas pedal boasts six types of compression, with more varieties of the effect accessible via Source Audio's Neuro app

Crazy Tube Circuits introduces new-and-improved, ultra-versatile Golden Ratio compressor pedal

By Matt Owen published 11 October 21

The φ (Phi) crams three separate circuits – OTA, Optical and FET – into one unit in a bid to serve up studio-grade compressor sounds

Becos FX CompIQ Mini Pro Compressor review

By Paul Riario published 15 July 21

Studio-quality compression in a mini-pedal format

Empress reboots one of the top compressor pedals on the market, and launches new bass version

By Michael Astley-Brown published 4 November 20

Downsized Compressor MKII and Bass Compressor unveiled