Monday, January 6, 2025
GuitarGuitar Effects

How Do Compressor Pedals Work?


Compression can be a really difficult concept to wrap your mind around so in this episode we’re gonna tackle this topic and hopefully bring some clarity. In the comments let me know what compressors you’re using.

https://www.thejhsshow.com/
https://www.patreon.com/thejhsshow
https://www.jhspedals.info/

Check out the gear in this and past episodes here:
https://reverb.com/c/jhs-pedal-picks?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott

Gear in this video:
1:24 Roland AS-1 Sustainer
https://reverb.com/p/roland-as-1-sustainer?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
1:49 Boss CS-1
https://reverb.com/p/boss-cs-1-compression-sustainer?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
1:56 MXR Dynacomp
https://reverb.com/p/mxr-dyna-comp-m-102?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
2:04 Ross Compressor
https://reverb.com/p/ross-compressor?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
2:11 Dan Armstrong Orange Squeeze Compressor
https://reverb.com/p/dan-armstrong-orange-squeeze-compressor?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
2:17 JHS Pulp N’ Peel V4
https://reverb.com/p/jhs-pulp-n-peel-v4-compressor-pedal?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
5:08 JHS Whitey Tighty
https://reverb.com/p/jhs-whitey-tighty-compressor?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
9:23 JHS Panther Cub V2
https://reverb.com/p/jhs-panther-cub-v2?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
9:23 Fulltone Distortion Pro
https://reverb.com/p/fulltone-distortion-pro?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
9:23 Boss OD-3
https://reverb.com/p/boss-od-3-overdrive?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
9:23 Keeley Compressor Pro
https://reverb.com/p/keeley-compressor-pro?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
9:23 JHS Whitey Tighty
https://reverb.com/p/jhs-whitey-tighty-compressor?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
15:15 Boss CP-1X
https://reverb.com/p/boss-cp-1x-compressor-blue?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
15:23 Diamond Compressor
https://reverb.com/p/diamond-compressor-2010s-yellow?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
15:28 JHS Pulp N’ Peel V4
https://reverb.com/p/jhs-pulp-n-peel-v4-compressor-pedal?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
15:38 EarthQuaker Devices The Warden
https://reverb.com/p/earthquaker-devices-the-warden?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
15:51 Keeley Compressor Pro
https://reverb.com/p/keeley-compressor-pro?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
16:00 Keeley Compressor Plus
https://reverb.com/p/keeley-compressor-plus?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
16:06 MXR Dynacomp
https://reverb.com/p/mxr-dyna-comp-m-102?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott
16:20 JHS Whitey Tighty
https://reverb.com/p/jhs-whitey-tighty-compressor?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=JoshuaScott

Record Time:
Talking Heads – Remain in Light
https://amzn.to/2Pt8NKU

Josh’s record player is by U-Turn Audio:
https://amzn.to/34CRXjr

#jhs #thejhsshow #compression

#Compressor #Pedals #Work

Originally posted by UCjfbkA4jJkJY5g0wbjuoZWA at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUXR8UnYhzc

46 thoughts on “How Do Compressor Pedals Work?

  • 5 years late but here to say Jimmy from FOALS is the reason I finally understood compression and have one on my board now (along with a Fuzzrocious Rat [now Cat] King). Great channel, y'all.

    Reply
  • In a interview with David Gilmore he said "it may not be popular but I put my compression first." I did it and Wow!

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  • but my dyna comp noisy, it is placed before overdrive, im buying noise suppression just for this.

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  • Compressor is great for really getting spring reverb drip. Put the reverb before a compressor.

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  • I appreciate that your favorites are often the least appealing to me. I usually go for "More switches = more good," but your expressing and showing your favorites is teaching me not to. Thank you, love your work.

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  • Learned a ton quickly about using my tighty whitey better. Moving it before my over drive now when i had it at the end of my chain before

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  • I have both Keeley compressors. I use the pro, a comp./limiter, in the effects loop of my setup and the comp./sustainer in the front. Compression is so useful for my style of playing.

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  • LOL absolutely no difference when turning the blend knop … Its his favourit … But nice undertrouser

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  • I have been re-tooling my tone using ONLY my old Digitech RP2000 (which was the best spent $100 in my 32 yrs of playing) but the compression options are Greek to me (1.2-infinity, 1.5-infinity, etc, attack setting (?) then a gain of 1-20). Joe Bon called compression his kryptonite, and I see what he means cuz bypass on compression setting sounds better on B channel distortion.

    Reply
  • Hi Josh, thank you for the detailed explanations on comp controls. I use a Strymon Compadre analog dual voice compressor first in my signal chain as an "always on" pedal (it was released right after you made this video). Compression set to about 65%, Blend at 50%, Level set to unity gain and voice switched to "Studio" setting. I am new to using compression and it is a true game changer for my 80's rock pedalboard setup.

    Reply
  • I want to see a behind the scenes clip of the guy holding the family board laughing his ass off behind it. Daddys in the dark basement reading Mark Twain. Too funny

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  • 5 years too late and never owned a tube amp or compressor pedal???? now that i have a tube amp… finding out that i need one pedal soon????

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  • I love my Diamond Compressor. It’s the only one I’ve ever owned so I don’t know how it compares to

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  • there is no need for a compressor if you know how to play or how to sing does not need to be a word famous name to learn how to control your playing or singing some times i want some of my note is louder than the rest or not so loud.. do not use compressor it will take you out of your music you will be able to express yourself everybody can learn to play 1000 notes in 1 minute but not everybody can show they feeling when playing music..

    Reply
  • Wow… listening to this in my car 12:10
    The mix of the audio…the drums and the guitar mix… ???????? ????????
    Not to mention everything else talked about in this video… Everything put into the making of this video, totally done with passion. I love it.

    Reply
  • I always figured a "Compression" knob would set the ratio…. you know, the amount the signal is compressed. Calling the threshold or sensitivity knob "Compression" is confusing at best.

    Reply
  • YES!!! Remain in Light is the Best Talking Heads album! And “Born Under Punches” is my favorite track. Awesome video! Thanks for all of the insight ????????????

    Reply
  • Awesome beautiful man you are covering so much Sonic territory right there I mean just big Music Man love it

    Reply

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