The Analog Alien Alien Comp is a compressor pedal with a second job: it doubles as a clean boost. Pedal of the Day's 2018 review describes it as using an expected control section to produce not just high-quality compression but a clean boost, and notes it can be used not only on guitar but in other recording and live situations as well1. It sits in the wider family of compressor pedals, several of which also lean toward boost duties.
Controls
The pedal keeps a familiar three-knob layout, and each knob does double duty depending on where it is set1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ratio | Sets the amount of compression applied to signals breaking the threshold. Its range goes from 2:1 to 10:1, for subtle to heavy compression. |
| Sensitivity | Lets you tame hotter output pickups, or give lower output sets a bit of a boost, to keep everything nice and even across the board. |
| Output | Sets the output level of the pedal. |
Using it as a clean boost
The clean boost side comes from the same knobs. Pedal of the Day describes the recipe: turn the Sens and Ratio knobs down to around 10:00-ish and crank the Output knob1. With the compression effectively backed off and the output level raised, the pedal pushes the front of an amp or the rest of the chain without adding compression of its own. That puts it among the compressor-plus-boost designs players sometimes reach for when they want one pedal to cover both jobs, alongside dedicated boost pedals.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's reviewer came away positive on both sides of the pedal's character, describing the compression as natural and warm while keeping the original character of the tone intact, and adding a sparkle and shine to the overall sound1.
"Not too squishy like some compressors can be, the Alien Comp will add just the desired amount of compression"
On the squish question, the reviewer's verdict is that it is not too squishy like some compressors can be, adding just the desired amount of compression without killing the original tone, and enhancing the overall dynamics and compression feel1. For players who find heavy compressors flatten their playing, that places the Alien Comp on the gentler side of the category, closer to leveling than clamping.
The reviewer also thanked the crew at Analog Alien for the chance to put "this red beauty through the wringer," a nod to the pedal's red enclosure1.
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Brett Kingman
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What compression ratios does the Analog Alien Alien Comp cover?
According to Pedal of the Day's review, the Ratio knob has a range going from 2:1 to 10:1, which covers everything from subtle to heavy compression. At the low end the pedal applies gentle leveling, while at the top it clamps down harder on signals that break the threshold.
How do you use the Alien Comp as a clean boost?
Pedal of the Day describes the method directly: turn the Sensitivity and Ratio knobs down to around 10:00-ish and crank the Output knob. With the compression backed off and the output level raised, the pedal acts as a clean boost rather than a compressor.
Does the Alien Comp suit hotter pickups?
The Sensitivity knob is the control for that. Pedal of the Day notes it lets you tame hotter output pickups, or give lower output pickup sets a bit of a boost, keeping the level even across the board between different guitars.
Is the Analog Alien Alien Comp a squishy compressor?
Pedal of the Day's reviewer found it was not: not too squishy like some compressors can be, adding just the desired amount of compression without killing the original tone, and enhancing the overall dynamics and compression feel.
Sources (1)
- Analog Alien Alien Comp Compressor Boost, Pedal of the Day, 2018-08-13