Diamond Pedals Comp/EQ

The Diamond Pedals Comp/EQ is an analog compressor pedal with a built-in EQ section, a next-generation take on the classic yellow box Diamond compressor. It keeps the original circuit architecture while adding range and functionality: a new mids boost/cut control, an attack switch, custom spec'd opto-isolators and modern, quiet switching¹². Diamond positions it as a mastering solution for your effects chain, with what the maker calls silky smooth, natural optical compression feeding a hi-fi inspired, center-detent active tilt EQ³⁴.

The pedal is made by Diamond Pedals. Diamond describes the Comp/EQ as a next-gen compressor that maintains the classic circuit architecture while increasing range and functionality, adding an EQ section and an attack switch that goes from the signature ultra-snappy Diamond comp style all the way to softer transparent compression¹⁴.

What it does to your sound

The Comp/EQ combines two jobs in one box. First, an optical compressor using custom spec'd opto-isolators levels out your signal, the same approach that made the original yellow box Diamond compressors sought after²³. Second, an active EQ section shapes the tone after compression, so the pedal can both even out your dynamics and sit as a tone-shaping stage on your board.

Diamond describes the compression as silky smooth and natural, and the EQ as hi-fi inspired with a center-detent active tilt design³⁴. The tilt EQ works like a see-saw: one control boosts the treble side while cutting the bass side, or the reverse, with a center detent for a flat setting. On top of that sits the mids boost/cut control for scooping or pushing the middle frequencies²³.

The attack switch and EQ controls

The attack switch is the headline new feature over the original yellow box design. RockBoard's PedalPedia says it allows you to go from the signature ultra-snappy Diamond comp style all the way to softer, more transparent compression¹. In practice, that means one setting grabs the signal quickly for the pronounced squash the older Diamond compressors were known for, while the other lets transients through for a subtler, more transparent leveling effect.

The EQ side of the pedal breaks down like this:

On the Bass Comp/EQ version, a tilt switch lets you select the fulcrum frequency of the tilt EQ for sculpting mids, a feature Guitar.com highlighted when the new range was announced⁵.

Versions of the Comp/EQ

The Comp/EQ line includes several variants sharing the same core circuit:

• Comp/EQ: The standard compact version, an all analog, Burr-Brown audio path with the mids boost/cut control and attack switch added to the original yellow box design².
• Bass Comp/EQ: A bass-tuned version that augments the original bass-tuned yellow box design with the mids boost/cut control, aimed at bass players⁶.
• Surf Green Comp/EQ: The same next-gen compressor in a Surf Green finish, maintaining the classic circuit architecture while increasing range⁴.
• Limited Maple Leaf Edition: A limited run with the same feature set, including top-mounted jacks, 9 to 18 VDC operation and relay based true bypass switching³.

All versions share the same power specification and current draw of 22 mA at 9 VDC²⁶³⁴.

Powering it

The Comp/EQ runs on 9 to 18 VDC through a 2.1 mm barrel jack with a negative tip, the standard arrangement for modern pedals². It draws 22 mA at 9 VDC, which is easy on a typical isolated power supply².

Where it came from

The Comp/EQ's story starts with Diamond's earlier compressor designs, and the company is now back after a few years of inactivity, releasing compact versions of its iconic pedals⁷.

Diamond Pedals positions the Comp/EQ as a next-generation compressor: the maker says it maintains the classic circuit architecture while increasing range and functionality, with the new EQ section and an attack switch that allows you to go from the signature ultra-snappy Diamond comp style all the way to softer transparent compression¹⁴.

The Comp/EQ is one of those compact versions, carrying the yellow box circuit forward with the added mids control, attack switch and modern switching².

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