GUP Tech replaces SQWZR compressor with Galak-C

January 1, 2026 · 2 sources

GUP Tech announced in January 2026 that the Galak-C replaces the original SQWZR, a pedal the Quebec builder says it had offered since almost its beginning. The maker states the two pedals share a circuit and differ in enclosure design.

The Galak-C is an optical compressor that GUP Tech describes as a large headroom, studio grade unit for guitar, bass or any instrument. Its controls are Sustain, Level, Tone, Attack, Release and Ratio. In the maker's description, Sustain sets the pre-compressor boosted signal, Level is the overall output, Attack and Release shape the speed of the effect, and full Ratio gives a more compressed signal. GUP Tech calls it a very quiet compressor with a very useful Tone control, and points players to the SQWZR demo to hear how it sounds.

Power consumption is listed at 13mA, and the pedal runs on 9Vdc only; the maker warns that anything higher will blow some capacitors. GUP Tech says all of its pedals are made by the company in Saguenay, Quebec, Canada.

The standard Galak-C is listed as in stock¹. A Douche Edition in a metallic purple enclosure is listed with one unit remaining². The maker's page also lists a Deep-C, described as more vintage and less hi-fi, based on the old Ross compressor¹.