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Welcome to our list of today’s top compression pedals. Like other list of the top pedals for each type of effect, this list attempts to give you, the reader, a quick guide to buying a compression pedal. No doubt if you found this page that you are in the market for a compression pedal. This list will enumerate the top 3 compression pedals that are available today.
But first, what is compression? Compression is perhaps one of the most subtle of effects, making it hard to distinguish the sound, or to even pick it out from a recording. That makes this effect much less popular with new guitarists, but bear in mind, it can be very important. Compression affects the dynamics of the source, evening out the sound. Loud sounds and quiet sounds equal out. This can help too limit the difference between a switch between strumming and picking, rhythm and solo. It can push back more extreme sounds from other effects as well. A compression pedal is not always used, and like many pedals has to fit the guitar, amp and other effects.
Top Compression Pedals – Choosing the top 3
The methodology for choosing our top compression pedals is simple, and just like our other top guitar pedal features; we look at the top guitarists, past and present, see what compression pedals they use, and select the top 3 according to their popularity.
Without further ado, here are the 3 top compression pedals!
Top Compression Pedals – Boss CS-3
Used by: Noel Gallagher of Oasis
Boss almost always occupies a place among the top 3 pedals by effects. They are well built and dependable. Noel Gallagher pairs this pedal with his hollow body guitars, which also benefit from the sustain these pedals offers, along with a Boss Blues Driver, placing it among the top compression pedals.
Buy Top Compression Pedals from:
Musician’s Friend
Amazon
Guitar Center
American Musical Supply
Top Compression Pedals – Keeley Compressor
Used by: Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam (later pedalboards), Adrian Belew of King Crimson, John Mayer
The popularity of Keeley pedals is focalized on few particular models all in the realm of subtle changes, with the Keeley modified Tube Screamer, the Keeley Katana boost and this, the Keeley Compressor.
Buy top Compression pedals from:
Musician’s Friend
Amazon
Guitar Center
Top Compression Pedals – MXR Dyna Comp / MXR Super Compressor
Used by: Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam (earlier pedalboards with Super Comp), Eddie Van Halen, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd (early, Adrian Belew of King Crimson
This is the compression pedal most found on pedalboards of the stars, giving it the highest rank of our top compression pedals list. Like many compression pedals, it is also very affordable.
Buy Top Compression Pedals from:
Musician’s Friend
Amazon
Guitar Center
American Musical Supply
