In the realm of music production, consistency is critical. To that end, compression is an excellent option for musicians looking to balance out their instruments’ dynamics or the stability of their final mixes. It’s also a great way to beef up your tone in ways not accessible by EQ alone. Within the past few decades, compression has been utilized mainly as a valuable tool for jazz, country, and bass musicians. Still, artists of every genre can reap the benefits of compression. Luckily, Sweetwater has an extensive arsenal of compressor pedals in stock, which offer limitless control options and varying designs for use in any project you have in mind. After letting our best players test out a bevy of stompboxes, we’ve constructed a list of the best compressor guitar pedals we offer — hopefully making the search for your next pedalboard addition a little easier.
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
- Keeley Compressor Plus Compressor Pedal
- Wampler Cory Wong Compressor and Boost Pedal
- Xotic SP Compressor Mini Compressor Pedal
- MXR M102 Dyna Comp Compressor Pedal
- PRS Mary Cries Optical Compressor Effects Pedal
- JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 Compressor Pedal
- BOSS CS-3 Compression Sustainer Pedal
- Universal Audio Max Preamp and Dual Compressor Pedal
Keeley Compressor Plus Compressor Pedal
Keeley’s coveted compression with limited graphics
Easy-to-use controls, stunning performances, and gorgeous graphics — the Keeley Compressor Plus compressor pedal bears every single one. The front panel of this beautiful stompbox includes sustain, blend, level, and tone knobs that allow you to summon any effect, from subtle volume corrals to balanced levels with a dignified low-end punch. The Compressor Plus’s standout feature is the single-coil/humbucker switch, which dictates the intensity of the compressor’s release based on your instrument’s pickups. It’s an excellent choice for guitarists, bassists, and other musicians looking to squeeze a bit more out of their instruments. Plus, it’s wrapped in a limited-edition Sweetwater exclusive graphic — who can say no to that?
Wampler Cory Wong Compressor and Boost Pedal
Don’t get off on the Wong foot
Cory Wong has attained stardom status among guitarists here at Sweetwater due to his expertly crafted contemporary axe tones. What is his secret to success? Formidable compression and boost, as found in the Wampler Cory Wong Compressor and boost pedal! You’ll have the reins of attack, tone, “Sustaaiin,” volume, blend, and boost controls and a mid/flat boost switch for swapping between a mellow and snappy response. It is easy to navigate between the onboard compress and boost options with the help of the front panel’s LED indicator light. Likewise, a dedicated “Comp On” button will ensure your compressor remains activated even after an accidental press. This multiuse stompbox is topped off with an additional XLR for enhanced studio compatibility and deserves a spot on every guitarist’s pedalboard.
Xotic SP Compressor Mini Compressor Pedal
Sparkling compressed tones in 100% transparency
If you’re looking for the utmost retained tone while giving your axe a clear, balanced punch, then there’s no better pedal than the Xotic SP Compressor mini compressor pedal. Based on the formidable Ross Compressor circuit, the SP Compressor quickly evens out your sound with coveted sparkle and shine. An onboard blend control and hi, mid, and lo compression settings allow you to iron out the pedal’s effect on your signal, offering anywhere from slight level boosting to full-authority compression in a flash. Sweetwater guitarists especially love the internal dip switches, which allow you to further finesse a unique tone without the fear of losing the foundation of your sound setup. With its compact form factor and true bypass switching, the SP Compressor is a worthy addition to any modern pedalboard.
MXR M102 Dyna Comp Compressor Pedal
Simple, spirited spunk in two simple knobs
Why is the MXR M102 Dyna Comp compressor pedal among Sweetwater’s most popular compression pedals? Its 2-button interface proves to be a quick and simple pathway to exclusively compressed sparkle, making this pedal a perfect addition to both stage and studio playing environments. Plus, its distinct tonal circuit provides ample sustain for multiple punchy rhythm applications and several soloing scenarios. In terms of tone, the Dyna Comp is known for its meaty, clean guitar tones, making it a formidable palette for chicken-pickin’ players, jazz enthusiasts, metal shredders, and many more. If you’re having difficulty deciding between pedals, then deciding on a Dyna Comp is always a ripe choice.
PRS Mary Cries Optical Compressor Effects Pedal
Cry tears of joy with this compressor
Since its humble beginnings, PRS has pinned down the execution of every piece of equipment that has left its doors. That’s why we knew we had to include the PRS Mary Cries optical compressor effects pedal. By way of its 2-knob control scheme, the Mary Cries pumps out exclusively rich and musical compression, from subtle shaping to downright powerful sound squashing. This makes it an incredibly versatile tool that works like a charm on any pedalboard. As this pedal was based on one of the most coveted optical compressors of all time, let us be the first to tell you: Paul nailed this combination of classic sound and modern performance with absolute authenticity.
JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 Compressor Pedal
Orange you glad your signal is clear?
It may not be edible, but the JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 compressor pedal‘s name and good looks certainly foreshadow the juicy tonal flavors it has packed inside. If it’s a bevy of dynamics and sustain you’re looking for, then this pedal is your go-to. An update of the classic compressor of the same name, the Pulp ‘N’ Peel features four controls — volume, comp, EQ, and blend — to easily dial in the right amount of squash without interrupting the clarity of your signal. Likewise, with the right amount of headroom, the Pulp ‘N’ Peel also doubles as a suitable boost! Finalized with an XLR DI output for convenient recording and projection, this sweet pedal is a formidable option for any guitar, bass, or acoustic 6-string.
BOSS CS-3 Compression Sustainer Pedal
This compressor has sustained the test of time
The BOSS CS-3 Compression Sustainer pedal has been around since 1986, yet its mainstay performance keeps it among the most powerful compressors today. Like other BOSS pedals, the CS-3’s front panel controls are incredibly simple. You get a level, a tone, an attack, and a sustain knob, above which rests a convenient LED check indicator for operation status. You also get the same recognizable BOSS rubber footswitch, which is handy during studio recording sessions. In terms of sound, there’s a reason why the CS-3 has remained at the top of the pile for so many years. With this stompbox on your pedalboard, you get a range of compression options from mellow level pulls to rowdy, beefy authority.
Universal Audio Max Preamp and Dual Compressor Pedal
A trio of compression power in a single box
Discerning Sweetwater guitarists demand to be in control of their tones. If you’re in the same boat, then a Universal Audio Max Preamp and Dual Compressor pedal is precisely what you need. Rather than a single compressor, you’ll have access to three — a Dyna, a FET 1176, and an OPTO LA-2A — for endless sound options. Plus, two separate compressor engines allow you to dial in more-than-extreme levels of squash, enabling you to swap between various settings quickly. Within its preamp, comp, output, attack, ratio, and release controls, there’s no limit to what you can create. We know tweak freaks, and if there’s a compression pedal that they can agree on, then it would be the Max Preamp and Dual Compressor.
Explore Every Option!
While this list includes our top choices for guitar players, remember that compression is also great for bass, drums, vocals, and more! There are plenty of other pedal options at Sweetwater, so it’s worth navigating our entire collection if none of these products strike your fancy. If you have any questions or comments or need expertise on other recommendations, then please don’t hesitate to contact one of our expert Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
