The Carl Martin Andy Timmons Signature Compressor/Limiter is a studio-grade compressor pedal with two easily switchable presets, one voiced for rhythm playing and one for solos, developed in cooperation with guitarist Andy Timmons1. Carl Martin describes it as a studio-quality compressor/limiter with fixed Threshold and Response, delivering the same clarity, quietness and performance as top studio compressor/limiters in a compact pedal format1.
Carl Martin lists the Andy Timmons Signature Compressor/Limiter as a discontinued legacy product1. Andy Timmons now uses a Carl Martin Dual Compressor as a current signature pedal2.
Two presets, one for rhythm and one for solos
The core idea is simple: instead of one compression setting you have to bend down and adjust between songs, the pedal holds two complete compression setups, Preset A and Preset B, and you toggle between them with a footswitch1. Carl Martin positions one preset for rhythm compression and the other for solo compression, so a player can step from a subtle rhythm setting to heavier sustain for a lead without touching a knob1.
Essentially, the pedal takes Carl Martin's analog Compressor/Limiter circuit and gives you two switchable compression settings1. When Carl Martin announced the pedal in August 2015, the company said that, just like the original Compressor/Limiter, it believed the unit to be the most musically useful guitar dynamics processor available34.
The controls: six knobs and two footswitches
The pedal carries two footswitches: one to engage or bypass the compressor, and another to toggle between Preset A and Preset B1. On top, there are six knobs. The Threshold and Response settings are fixed for both presets, set as 6mm miniature knobs, which is what keeps the knob count down to six15.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Threshold (6mm mini) | Sets the signal level at which compression kicks in; a lower threshold compresses even quiet notes, a higher one leaves them alone1 |
| Response (6mm mini) | Controls how fast or slow the compression reacts and recovers, the attack and release characteristics1 |
| Preset A knobs | The compression settings for the rhythm preset1 |
| Preset B knobs | The compression settings for the solo preset1 |
| Level knobs | Up to 12dB of extra level for driving your amp5 |
Because Threshold and Response are shared miniature knobs, both presets operate with the same fixed threshold and response character, and the differences between A and B come from the remaining controls15.
Power and remote switching
The pedal requires a 9V DC regulated power supply, drawing about 120 to 140 mA, through a standard 2.1mm center-negative jack1. It does not take a battery: Carl Martin says the current draw plus the size of the unit mean external supply only1.
At roughly 120 to 140 mA, this pedal draws more current than most analog stompboxes, so plan for a dedicated outlet on a power supply rather than sharing a low-current output1.
For live use, the pedal offers remote preset switching via a quarter-inch jack, using a latching footswitch, for seamless transitions during performance1. That means you can place the pedal anywhere on your board and switch presets from a remote switch at your feet.
Built with Andy Timmons
The pedal was developed in cooperation with Andy Timmons, and Carl Martin's artist pages list him using his signature Compressor/Limiter16. The announcement in August 2015 introduced it as a two-preset compressor/limiter with fixed Threshold and Response, remote preset switching and new DC/DC converter circuitry1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's reviewer, Trevor Curwen, found the pedal versatile, listing "very few" reasons to avoid it and calling it "a smart idea for your 'board in a user-friendly format"5. He also noted its flexibility beyond compression:
"you can set the pedal for no compression and use it purely as a booster with two levels of boost"5
Trevor Curwen, MusicRadar5
That gives the pedal a second life as a two-preset clean boost, with the Level knobs offering up to 12dB of extra clout for driving an amp5.
Where it sits in the Carl Martin range
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The Guitar Sanctuary
Harry Maes
Sound Affects
Questions
Does the Andy Timmons Compressor/Limiter take a battery?
No. Carl Martin says the current draw plus the size of the unit mean it runs on an external supply only. It needs a 9V DC regulated supply through a standard 2.1mm center-negative jack, drawing about 120 to 140 mA.
Is the Carl Martin Andy Timmons Compressor/Limiter analog?
Yes. It uses high-headroom analog circuitry that runs internally at plus and minus 12V from a 9V supply, which Carl Martin says keeps it from dulling your highs. It is built around the same analog Compressor/Limiter circuit as the company's original pedal.
Can it be used as a clean boost?
Yes. MusicRadar's reviewer noted you can set the pedal for no compression and use it purely as a booster, with two levels of boost available, one per preset. The Level knobs also provide up to 12dB of extra level for driving an amp.
Can I switch presets with a remote footswitch?
Yes. The pedal has remote preset switching via a quarter-inch jack, using a latching footswitch, so you can move between Preset A and Preset B without stepping on the pedal itself during a performance.
Is the Andy Timmons Signature Compressor/Limiter still made?
No. Carl Martin lists it as a discontinued legacy product. Andy Timmons has since moved to a Carl Martin Dual Compressor as a current signature pedal, according to Guitar Pedal X.
Sources (6)
- Andy Timmons Signature Compressor/Limiter, Carl Martin, 2026
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-05-24
- Andy Timmons Signature Compressor by Carl Martin, Premier Guitar, 2015-08-27
- Carl Martin Announces the Andy Timmons Signature Compressor Limiter, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-08-28
- Carl Martin Andy Timmons Compressor review, MusicRadar, 2017-07-15
- Artists - Carl Martin, Carl Martin (carlmartin.com), 2026
