The DOD FX80B Compressor Sustainer is an analog compressor pedal from DOD's classic analog series. It is an updated version of the original FX80, which DOD introduced in the mid 1980s, and it was manufactured in the United States. According to the product description, the pedal provides smooth and natural sustain while maintaining the original tone and dynamics of the instrument.1
Controls
The FX80B keeps things simple with three knobs, each covering one job of a compressor pedal1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Adjusts output volume |
| Compression | Adjusts compression strength |
| Release | Adjusts release time |
The Level knob sets how loud the pedal sits in your chain, the Compression knob sets how hard the effect clamps down on your playing, and the Release knob sets how quickly the compression lets go. That three-knob layout covers the basics of what most players adjust on a compressor, without extra trimmers or internal settings1.
One independent technical analysis of the circuit, published on the Guitar FX Layouts blog, reported that the "release + compression controls don't seem to do anything" on the unit examined.2 Players comparing units may find the controls behave differently than the description suggests.
The FX80B and the original FX80
The FX80B belongs to a family of DOD compressors. The original FX80 appeared in the mid 1980s, and the FX80B is its updated version, keeping the same compressor-sustainer format.1 DOD's compressor line also includes other models covered elsewhere on the site, such as the DOD Compressor 280, the DOD 280A Compressor Clone and the DOD FX84 Milk Box.
For players who like to build their own gear, the Guitar FX Layouts blog published a stripboard layout of the FX80B circuit in May 2014, sized to fit a 1590B enclosure. A comment added to that post in December 2024 noted an error on the board: the second long link from the right goes to the 4th strip on one board and the 5th strip on the other, which is the correct placement.2
Power
The FX80B is listed as needing 10V DC with a center negative plug.1 That is worth noting on a pedalboard: it is not the 9V supply that most modern pedals use, so a standard 9V output may not be the right match. Check your supply's voltage options before adding one to a daisy chain.
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Questions
Is the DOD FX80B Compressor Sustainer analog?
Yes. The FX80B is an analog pedal and is described as part of DOD's classic analog series. It was manufactured in the United States as an updated version of the original FX80, which was introduced in the mid 1980s.
What does the Release knob do on the DOD FX80B?
According to the product description, the Release control adjusts the release time of the compression. One independent technical analysis of the circuit, however, reported that the release and compression controls did not seem to do anything on the unit examined, so results may vary from player to player.
What is the difference between the DOD FX80 and the FX80B?
The FX80B is an updated version of the original FX80, which DOD introduced in the mid 1980s. The B-version carries the same compressor-sustainer format with Level, Compression and Release controls.
What power does the DOD FX80B need?
The listed power requirement is 10V DC with a center negative plug. That is not the more common 9V, so players should plan their power supply accordingly.
Where is the DOD FX80B made?
The FX80B was manufactured in the United States and is part of DOD's classic analog series.
Sources (2)
- Compressor Sustainer FX80 B by DOD, RockBoard (www.rockboard.de), 2026
- Guitar FX Layouts: DOD FX80B Compressor Sustainer, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2014-05-15
