BECOS CompIQ MINI Pro Compressor Pedal For Guitar & Bass

Studio-quality compression in a mini-pedal format

The CompIQ MINI Pro is an analog compressor pedal primarily tailored for guitar and bass but it can be used with any other instrument. It is built around the advanced 4320 THAT Analog Engine®, which delivers studio-quality compression in the most compact form. With precise signal processing, including a true RMS-level detector and a high-performance Blackmer® VCA, this pedal offers professional compression and limiting, setting new standards for its size.

With Ratio, Threshold, Gain, and Dry/Wet Mix controls, the CompIQ MINI allows for precise manual adjustment of compression settings, resulting in a balanced and refined sound. Its Compression Knee feature, which can be set to either Soft or Hard, lets users fine-tune the compression effect for various musical styles. The Soft Knee option offers subtle and transparent compression, while the Hard Knee option delivers a more pronounced effect, particularly suitable for “country” or specific bass playing styles where dynamic output is a key effect. Additionally, the CompIQ MINI Pro serves as an excellent limiting effect or compressor/sustainer pedal by adjusting the ratio, threshold, timing, and hard knee settings.

The CompIQ MINI Pro features a uniquely advanced side chain circuit that provides two compression modes, Feed Forward and Feed-Back, along with a Variable Side Chain Filter for precise compression adjustments, catering to both classic smoothness and modern dynamic sound.

Feed Forward processing emphasizes speed and accuracy, using a pre-VCA copy of the input signal. It can deliver subtle compression or brick-wall limiting based on control settings. In contrast, Feed-Back compression resembles “old-school” circuits, offering a smoother and more natural sound. It uses a post-VCA copy of the audio signal, preserving instrument character and dynamics without pumping or breathing.

While Feed-Back mode excels at low-to-medium compression ratios, it’s less suitable for hard peak limiting. Nonetheless, the MINI can function as a genuine Feed-Back limiter when you combine threshold adjustment, a hard knee, a higher ratio, fast timing, and a boosted control signal in the side chain filter.

It’s worth mentioning that the compression modes can partially overlap in their effect, based on their settings. The high-performance Blackmer® VCA in the Analog Engine® guarantees distortion-free operation in both modes.

The MINI features a variable side chain filter, specially tuned around the 90 Hz frequency point, which conditions the control signal. The filter’s range can be adjusted from Low-Pass to Normal to High-Pass mode. The effect of this filter on the side chain signal is opposite to that on the compressor’s output signal. In addition, it progressively compensates for the low amplitude of highs above 1kHz. This unique feature, combined with the characteristics of the RMS-level detector, helps the compressor achieve exceptional transparency and a natural sound, closely resembling human hearing.

Rotating the dial clockwise engages the High-Pass Filter, leading to the attenuation of frequencies below 90 Hz in the side chain. This results in reduced compression for these frequencies in the output signal. When the filter is set at the center of its range, the side chain filter operates in a “normal” mode, providing a more consistent control frequency range to the RMS-level detector. In this setting, compression is activated by high-amplitude low frequencies that reach the threshold first.

Conversely, a counterclockwise turn transforms the filter into a Low-Pass Filter, which amplifies the control frequencies below 90 Hz. This adjustment heightens the sensitivity of the side chain to high-amplitude lows, leading to increased compression in the output. This configuration is well-suited for applications like country music with a plucking style, bass limiting, or instruments lacking low-frequency content that can trigger compression, such as guitars equipped with thin-sounding single coils.

The Dynamic Auto Attack & Release Timing circuitry eliminates the need for a dedicated attack switch or manual controls, offering precise timings for all playing styles. It provides two timing options: Fast and Slower, accommodating both attack and release timings.

Fast timings deliver a modern, crisp, punchy sound, especially effective with a hard knee compression setting for limiting effects. When using the blend knob, it’s ideal for parallel compression, also known as the New York compression style.

In contrast, Slower timings are better suited for slower musical phrasings like bass lines or arpeggiated chords. However, experimentation is encouraged, as the ear is the ultimate judge. The dynamic auto-timing ensures high sound quality, quickly releasing fast transients while maintaining a slow decay for steady signals. The release time typically ranges from 10-15 times the attack time in each setting.

Compression level, or gain reduction, is visually represented by a 5-LED display, offering real-time feedback on the extent of signal reduction during compression.

In its inactive state, True-Bypass routing maintains the integrity of the bass or guitar signal chain, ensuring no alteration, whether the pedal is powered or not.

Pristine audio processing

While the CompIQ MINI Pro Compressor was primarily intended for guitar and bass, its versatility extends to improving the dynamics of various audio signals, including vocals when paired with an appropriate preamp. It’s highly regarded as one of the top mini compressors for bass instruments. The qualities of the CompIQ compressors are suitable for a wide range of instruments, including electric and bass guitars, electric-acoustic guitars and basses, electric stringed instruments, harmonicas, brass instruments, synthesizers, and more.

Key features 

• Blackmer® VCA / RMS-level Analog Engine® ensures professional compressor/limiter function
• Feed Forward / Feed-Back compression
• True RMS-level detector
• Ratio 1:1 to inf:1 (limiter) in Feed Forward mode; 1:1 to 10:1 in Feed-Back mode
• Threshold -40dBu to +10dBu
• Make-up Gain -6dB to +20dB
• Hard / Soft compression knee
• Fast / Slower dynamic attack and release timings
• Variable Side Chain Filter (raises or lowers control frequencies in the side chain ±12dB @ 90 Hz, 12dB/oct. imparting an opposite effect on the working signal at the output of the compressor)
• Dry / Wet mix
• 5-LEDs compression display
• True analog bypass
• Burr Brown FET  IC, low tolerance parts, plastic film audio capacitors
• Black powder-coated genuine Hammond aluminum enclosure
• 9-12 V DC external power supply (not included), center negative, 12mm long barrel plug
• 3-year premium warranty (direct to manufacturer, international, transferable)
• Hand-assembled in Vienna, Austria

Note! Optimal configuration of the CompIQ Stella for studio recording or live performances typically necessitates a solid understanding of audio compression.