Compressor and Sustain Pedals

Compression is used in every type of music. Some guitarists use compressor effects to boost solos, even out finger-plucked strings, or push overdrive pedals. Almost every guitarist can use compression with positive results, and mini compressor pedals, like the Wampler Mini Ego, make it easy to squeeze one onto your pedalboard.

Most compressor pedals have a control labeled “compression” or “sustain.” Set this (and the “attack”) where you like: Country and funk players may prefer lots of compression and less attack, for example. Then, adjust the tone, blend, and volume.

If you're using the compressor to boost solos, try setting the volume higher than unity. Usually compression is the first, or one of the first pedals in a signal chain, although you may want to try it after an overdrive or fuzz.

While most compressor pedals can increase sustain, some builders have released pedals that push the standard limits of guitar sustain all the way to infinite, such as the Electro-Hamonix Freeze and Gamechanger Audio Plus Sustain.