Strymon's OB.1 optical compressor was the first effects pedal the company made—and ever since its release, it's been a popular choice for players looking to put studio-style compression on their pedalboard. However, earlier this year, Strymon discontinued the model.
Today, Strymon is releasing its successor: the Compadre Dual Voice Compressor & Boost, which offers a spread of compression options in a platform reminiscent of the OB.1, but with circuitry all its own. The Compadre is available now in Strymon's Reverb Shop.
As Strymon sound designer Pete Celi says, "In designing Compadre, we wanted to expand upon the capabilities of our OB.1 compressor, and that served as sonic inspiration for us to begin the process."
The Compadre offers two different types of compression: Studio and Squeeze. Studio mode is closest to the OB.1-style effect, while the Squeeze mode gives heavier compression and longer sustain. The Boost side of the pedal also offers two types: a clean boost or a dirty boost, with an extra switch for additional boost EQ options.
While the OB.1 was voiced for guitar (with a bass modification available), the Compadre is built for guitar and bass use, with its frequency response going as low as 20Hz.
According to Strymon, other specs include:
- Premium analog VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) compressor circuits
- Independently controlled clean or dirty boost circuit with 3 EQ options
- Dirty boost option provides overdrive when boost is engaged
- DRY Knob lets you blend the dry signal with the compressed signal to preserve attack transients
- High impedance ultra low-noise discrete Class A JFET preamp input
- Output VCA allows Compadre to function as a volume pedal when a standard TRS expression pedal plugged into the dedicated Volume jack
- Full featured MIDI control. Access to 300 presets and remote parameter control via quarter-inch TRS.
- Compressor Signal/Noise: 109 dB typical
- Designed and built in the USA
For the first time, you can now buy brand-new Strymon effects, including the Compadre, directly from Strymon through the Strymon's Reverb Shop. Find the Compadre and more there now.