The Analog Man Bi-CompROSSor is a compressor pedal that puts two complete effects in one box: the left side is the compROSSor, based on an improved version of the Ross compressor, and the right side is the Juicer, based on the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer1. Each side has its own footswitch, so you can use either compressor alone, both together, or neither, with true bypass on both effects1.
Analog Man describes the compROSSor side as quite similar to an MXR Dyna Comp but improved to make the sustain more solid and less wavering, with a cleaner sound and more sustain than the Juicer1. The Juicer side follows the Orange Squeezer, which Analog Man calls legendary for its smooth compression and "squashing" tone, adding a bit of grit for what the manual calls a nice soulful sound1.
What it does: a Ross-style compressor and an Orange Squeezer in one box
The compROSSor side is the more flexible of the two, with four knobs: ATTACK (ATK), MIX, SUSTAIN and compROSSor VOLUME, laid out left to right, with the Juicer's single VOLUME knob on the right1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| ATTACK | 12:00 is identical to the vintage Ross pedal; counter-clockwise squashes the attack more (faster attack time), clockwise gives more attack than a stock Ross1 |
| MIX | All the way up is standard Ross compression; turn it down to blend in non-compressed sound, and Analog Man calls 3:00 a nice setting1 |
| SUSTAIN | Sets the amount of sustain and compression; higher settings swell the volume louder and compress the attack more1 |
| compROSSor VOLUME | Sets the level and can boost the signal somewhat to push an amp further into distortion; volume also rises if SUSTAIN or ATTACK are set higher1 |
| Juicer VOLUME | Sets the Juicer's output level1 |
The MIX knob is the feature a stock Ross never had: it lets you keep some of your dry, uncompressed signal alongside the compressed one, which softens the effect's grip on your picking dynamics1.
Both sides are built from vintage-style parts. The compROSSor uses NOS (new old stock) 2SC1849 Matsushita transistors of the type used in the original Ross compressor and Dyna Comp, along with higher quality capacitors than the original for improved sound, and its circuit board is double-sided with ground planes everywhere possible to minimize noise12. The Juicer uses NOS 2N5437 transistors, rare germanium diodes and a JRC4558 chip, which Analog Man says gives the smoothest sound, plus expensive high quality capacitors12. From 2003 onward, the SUSTAIN knob uses a special taper pot so its position matches what you would set on an original Ross or Dyna Comp3.
Vintage Guitar reviewed the Bi-CompROSSor in June 2014 and found the two sides had clearly different characters2:
"the Ross side provided a volume increase and severe cut of the low and high frequencies, perfect for tight chicken pickin', Rickenbacker jangle, and punchy sounds that pop from the mix"2
The reviewer found the Ross side similar to an MXR Dyna Comp but with better sustain, and described the Orange Squeezer side as compressing the attack of each note with a natural-sounding decay increase, yielding the compressed signature grit heard on Steely Dan and Dire Straits records2.
Power and connections
The Bi-CompROSSor runs on a 9V internal battery or a 9V DC adapter, and explicitly not an AC adapter; it can also run on 12V to 15V DC1. The power jack is Boss style, with the center of the plug negative1. Current draw is under 10mA with both effects on and just under 4mA with both LEDs off, light enough that a battery is a realistic option: Analog Man says a battery lasts over 40 hours with both effects on, and the battery is disconnected when the input cord is removed13.
There are two 3PDT stomp switches, right for the Juicer and left for the compROSSor, each with its own LED: yellow for the Juicer, red for the compROSSor1. The right jack is the input and the left jack is the output1.
A special 4-jack version exists, built for players including moe.'s Al. It has an input and output for each effect, so the Juicer and compROSSor can be run through an effects switcher separately, or with other effects placed between them. This version does not really have room for a battery, though one could be used in an emergency with the wire hanging out the side4.
Which side comes first in the chain
Each side is independent and can be used separately or together, and when both are on, Analog Man specifies the order: Juicer first, then the compROSSor1. Since the two sides are wired in series inside the standard pedal, that order is fixed unless you have the 4-jack special version described above.
Related pedals
The two circuits are also available on their own: the Analog Man Comprossor is the Ross-style side, and the Analog Man Juicer is the Orange Squeezer-style side. There is also a smaller Analog Man Mini BiComp that packs both effects into a more compact box.
Videos
David Fisher (tibbon)
Guitar Player Magazine
Kevin Bryant
Questions
How long does a battery last in the Bi-Comprossor?
The pedal runs on a 9V internal battery, and Analog Man's manual says a battery lasts over 40 hours with both effects on. The battery is disconnected when you pull the input cord, so unplugging the guitar stops the drain between sessions.
Which side of the Bi-Comprossor comes first in the chain?
Each side is independent and can be used separately or together, but Analog Man specifies the order when you run both: Juicer first, then the compROSSor. The right jack is the input and the left jack is the output.
Is the Analog Man Bi-Comprossor true bypass?
Yes. Analog Man's manual states the pedal has true bypass on both effects, so each side is out of the signal path when its footswitch is off. Both effects can be off at once with the signal passing straight through.
What is the difference between the compROSSor and the Juicer?
The compROSSor is based on an improved Ross compressor, similar to an MXR Dyna Comp but with more solid, cleaner sustain, and it has ATTACK, MIX, SUSTAIN and VOLUME controls. The Juicer is based on the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer, known for smooth squashing with a bit of grit, and has a single VOLUME knob.
Sources (4)
- BiCompManual2020.pdf, Analog Man Guitar Effects, 2020-11
- Analog Man Bi-Comprossor, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2014-10-24
- BiCompROSSor Manual (older), Analog Man Guitar Effects
- Analog Man Compressor Pedal Page, Analog Man (www.analogman.com), 2022
