Strymon Introduces the Successor to Its OB.1 Pedal

April 30, 2020 · 1 sources

Strymon announced the Compadre Dual Voice Compressor & Boost, a dual compressor and boost pedal that succeeds the company's OB.1. The pedal puts two tone-shaping effects in one enclosure, aimed at the front of a pedalboard, with a compressor side and a boost side that can each be set to different characters¹.

The compression side offers two voices. Studio mode gives smooth compression, which Pedal of the Day compared to vintage rack compressors, while Squeeze mode is a harder compression typical of classic guitar pedals. A Compression knob sets the amount of compression, a Dry knob blends in as much or as little of the dry signal as needed, and a Level knob adjusts the output level from -6dB to +6dB, with unity at noon¹.

The boost side is built around a main Boost control that gives about +14dB of boost power, with three tone-shaping modes that interact with it¹:

• Flat: full range frequency response
• Mid: fattens the tone by pushing midrange frequencies
• Treble: tightens the bottom end by boosting mid to high frequencies¹

A small switch near the jacks selects the boost type, either Clean or Dirty¹.

The signal path is analog throughout. The Class A JFET input circuit and VCA-based compression are 100% analog, with the signal never converted to or from digital, while the pedal keeps the digital functionality and programmability Strymon is known for. Connectivity goes beyond the basics: an Expression pedal can be connected via TRS to the Volume jack for full-time volume pedal functionality, and the Fav/MIDI jack allows remote selection of Favorite settings or connection to a MIDI rig¹.

Pedal of the Day's reviewer summed up the pedal's appeal¹:

The reviewer described the Compadre as a dual pedal that fits at the front of a board, giving access to two tone-shaping effects in one box¹.