Origin Effects replaces Cali76 Compact Deluxe and Compact Bass with two new compressors

April 25, 2024 · 4 sources

Origin Effects announced on April 25, 2024 that the Cali76 FET Compressor and Cali76 Bass Compressor will replace the Cali76 Compact Deluxe and Cali76 Compact Bass in its line-up, described as "representing the latest evolution of our Cali76 compressor circuit"¹. The maker said both are available from its dealers worldwide or direct from Origin Effects².

The two pedals are 17% smaller than their predecessors, with a footprint of 64mm x 124mm (2.5" x 4.8")¹. They add a 10-LED gain reduction meter, which the maker says gives an accurate visual indication of how much the signal is being compressed and how fast the compression circuit is reacting¹. They take a 9V supply and boost it internally to 24V, which the maker says gives very high headroom, "even higher than running their predecessors at 18V"¹. Origin Effects says the result is a cleaner, more transparent compression tone that can handle hot pickups, line level signals and studio outboard gear¹.

The maker also made small changes to the sidechain design, which it says bring the dynamic response closer to its original "large-format" pedals, now described as highly collectible, with a punchier response, flatter frequency response and more clarity in the low end¹. The pedals are inspired by the Urei 1176 studio compressor². Gearnews reports that Dry, Out, In and Ratio controls are standard on both units, the FET version has dedicated Attack and Release controls, and the Bass model combines Attack and Release into one control and adds a high pass filter³. Guitar Pedal X lists an all-analog signal path, ultra-fast FET compression, a Dry Blend control for parallel compression and buffered bypass for both⁴.

Origin Effects said warranties will continue to be honored for all pedals still within the warranty period, and that it offers repair services on all current and discontinued products¹. Guitar Pedal X reported the guitar model in Silver and Black and the bass model in Silver, Black and Blue⁴.

Reported US prices differ. Gearnews lists $329.00 for both models³; Guitar Pedal X lists $369⁴. Guitar Pedal X reported both were available for pre-order at the time of its listing⁴.