The Catalinbread NiCompressor is a compressor pedal built around a FET-based design and inspired by the 1970s Loco Box 'The Choker' Compressor12. It was announced in October 2018 and is notable for its provenance: MusicRadar reports it was the last pedal designed by the company's founder, Nicholas Harris, before his passing in 20163. An illustration of Haystack Rock, a spot off the coast of Oregon that Harris allegedly visited right before his death, is imprinted on the pedal's chassis as a tribute to him2.
Controls
The pedal keeps its face simple. Guitar.com describes a single knob to govern compression, a two-band EQ and an output volume dial2. Guitar World adds that the single compression control enables quick and easy adjustments, and that a gain knob allows the user to add in some grit4. MusicRadar likewise lists a gain control to add grit, with compression and volume knobs adjusting the FET-based squash3.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Compression | Single knob governing compression, for quick and easy adjustments42 |
| Gain | Adds in some grit43 |
| EQ | Two-band EQ2 |
| Volume | Output volume dial2 |
Guitar World describes the pedal as boasting exceptional tone-shaping capabilities4.
Release and availability
The NiCompressor was listed at $249, available from Black Friday, 23 November3. It carries a particular weight in Catalinbread's history: it was the last pedal designed by the company's founder Nicholas Harris before his passing in 20163.
What reviewers said
Coverage of the announcement was positive about the approach. On gearnews, Jef wrote:
"I like the fact that Catalinbread have taken a classic compression circuit and brought it up to date by using high-end"
Guitar.com called the Loco Box 'The Choker' Compressor that inspired the pedal iconic2.
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Questions
What circuit is the Catalinbread NiCompressor based on?
The NiCompressor is based on the Loco Box 'The Choker', a compressor from the 1970s. Guitar.com described the pedal as inspired by the 'iconic '70s Loco Box 'The Choker' Compressor', and MusicRadar called it 'a compressor based on the Loco Box Choker'. Catalinbread built it around a FET design, using the MPF4393 transistor.
Who designed the NiCompressor?
MusicRadar reports that the NiCompressor was the last pedal designed by Nicholas Harris, Catalinbread's founder, before his passing in 2016. The pedal was announced by the company in October 2018, two years after his death.
Does the NiCompressor have a gain control?
Yes. Guitar World notes that 'a gain knob allows the user to add in some grit', and MusicRadar likewise describes 'a gain control to add grit'. Alongside the gain knob there is a single compression control, a two-band EQ and an output volume dial.
What does the Haystack Rock illustration on the NiCompressor mean?
Guitar.com reports that an illustration of Haystack Rock, a spot off the coast of Oregon that Nicholas Harris allegedly visited right before his death, is imprinted on the pedal's chassis as a tribute to him.
What colors does the NiCompressor come in?
MusicRadar reported in October 2018 that the NiCompressor was available to preorder in Silver & Black and White Soft Pearl enclosures.
What transistor does the NiCompressor use?
Gearnews reports that the pedal is based on a FET MPF4393 transistor, consistent with its FET-based compression design.
Sources (4)
- Catalinbread NiCompressor pedal recreates a classic 1970s compressor, www.gearnews.com, 2018-10-22
- Catalinbread unveils the NiCompressor, Guitar.com, 2018-10-22
- Catalinbread seeks to fatten your guitar tone with the NiCompressor, MusicRadar, 2018-10-25
- Catalinbread Introduces New NiCompressor, Guitar World, 2018-10-25