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EarthQuaker Devices The Warden V2 Optical Compressor Pedal

Guitar Compressor Pedal with Tone, Level, Sustain, Ratio, Attack, and Release Controls and True Bypass
9 Write review Item ID: TheWardenV2
$199.00

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The Warden V2 Pedal with Patch Cables

$213.99 $207.00

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EarthQuaker Devices The Warden V2 Optical Compressor Pedal
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Dynamic Control with Opto-cell Character

The Warden V2 keeps your dynamics in line. But it does so in eminently musical fashion. This EarthQuaker Devices' optical compressor pedal sports classic feedback-style circuitry and a feature set you'd expect to find on studio compressors. Built with high-grade components and internally powered by 18 volts, The Warden V2 has gobs of gain and sustain on tap. With total control over attack, release, sustain, and ratio, The Warden V2 delivers everything from heavy squash with quick attack and release to super-subtle compression. Optical compressors enjoy a reputation for having more character than VCA- or FET-based designs, and Sweetwater can attest that EarthQuaker Devices' The Warden V2 sounds wonderfully warm and characterful, indeed.

Related Videos: The Warden V2 Optical Compressor Pedal

Classic feedback-style compression

A feedback-style compressor, The Warden V2 likes it hot — as in, the louder the signal, the more compression you get. Short sustain equals little compression, more sluggish attack and release, and cooler signal; maximum sustain equals heavy compression, longer sustain, hotter signal, and more sprightly attack and release. If you've ever used a Teletronix LA-2A (the holy grail among those in the know), that's classic feedback-style compression, in all its glory. The Warden V2 nails it. Add dead-quiet operation and a complete modern control set to the vintage mojo, and you've got what may be the ultimate compressor pedal for guitar or anything else. Put EarthQuaker Devices The Warden V2 in your signal chain, and you'll hear what we mean.

From the pedal gurus at EarthQuaker Devices

Akron, Ohio's, EarthQuaker Devices is a boutique pedal company that puts all their focus on building tools for musicians to find their own tone. Their designs range from enhanced classics to pedals that have never been seen or heard before. Company founder Jamie Stillman was working with rock band the Black Keys when he came upon a design for the pedal that kick-started the company's success. Ever since then EarthQuaker Devices has been committed to helping you find your tone with high-quality products at great prices.

EarthQuaker Devices The Warden V2 Features:

  • Warm, colorful optical compression with tons of control
  • 2nd-generation edition with silent relay-based switching
  • True bypass
  • Requires standard 9-volt DC power supply with negative-center barrel (not included)
  • Handcrafted in EarthQuaker's Akron, Ohio, factory

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Tech Specs

  • Pedal Type: Compressor
  • Analog/Digital: Analog
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (instrument)
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • True Bypass: Yes
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply required (sold separately)
  • Power Usage: 31mA
  • Height: 2.25" with knobs
  • Width: 2.50"
  • Depth: 4.75"
  • Weight: 0.87 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: The Warden V2

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Customer Reviews

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Tone steroids

This thing takes everything you like about your guitar's tone and amplifies it, with some added warmth that doesn't take long to love. It adds some color, but the for the amount of "hot" signal you get, it's totally worth it.

You can dial up sustain to the point where any chord will ring out until it becomes feedback.

If you drone, doom, dirge, whatever - this is your new best friend. Put it in front of your dirt pedal(s) and you'll never turn it off.
by Zach from PNW on

Works great as a second compressor

This compressor is so natural and clear that it can be used with very little noise later in the chain for smoothing out the gain section. Obviously, it is also entirely adequate as an "only compressor", but that is not why I ordered the warden. It was very difficult to find a second compressor that was smooth enough to use after my gain section without adding too much noise. This one does this very well. Adds a great deal of clean headroom as a "boost with benefits". Adds some wonderful, pulsing sustain when set just right and even gives me the option to work with that natural feedback which remains musical. A held note will blend into this beautiful, singing feedback (when I want, I'm doing this intentionally)
by Robert Pelletier from Hadley, MA on

My new favorite

After playing through an Xotic SP and a Keeley, I found I liked the optical style compression more than FET. It sounded a bit more natural to me. So when I started building a second board, instead of getting a second SP, I decided to look into other similar comps and liked what I read and heard from demos of The Warden. After having it a few weeks and playing with different knob combinations, I've finally dialed it in and gotta admit, it sounds amazing! Playing clean is very smooth and glassy, and even improved the sound quality when using overdrives like the TS9. I highly recommend the Warden for those looking for a top-notch optical compressor in pedal form.
by Casey from Broussard, LA on

Just What I Needed

I've owned at least 4 other brand name compressors that were okay. But I longed for a pedal that was as adjustable as my rack mounted unit. Alas, in comes the Warden. I can dial in a tad or strangling amounts of compression, make it jump on notes pronto or saunter slowly up to calm down the sonic confusion. I hate otherwise good compression pedals that have one or more functions factory set. This compressor is as adjustable as my rack mounted unit. And it makes all the difference to me. It is solidly constructed and easy to use. Finally, a compressor pedal made for me.
by Bloozy from NC on
Music background: Playing guitar, drums, and bass for 50+ years. Now exclusively in home studio.

Finally a compressor I can live with

I purchased the Ego but though a well made pedal, it did not work for me. The issue
was that certain notes played on my strat were like 6 dB louder than other notes. If I set the attack to a faster setting than transients were muted. Now this could certainly be me losing patience.
Enter the Warden... Though I started to experience the same dilemma, the inclusion of ratio and release control made it easy to find a solution. The Warden is a transparent and milder compressor and versatile do to the many controls... very useful compressor.
As always, thank you Aaron for your valued assistance.
by Stephen from Saratoga Springs on
Music background: Guitarist
See also: Compressors, EarthQuaker Devices, EarthQuaker Devices Compressor & EQ Pedals
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