The Donner Ultimate Comp is a mini compressor pedal from Donner, a compact unit aimed at players who want studio-style compression on a small pedalboard. Delicious Audio's reviewer called it "a surprisingly subtle, great-sounding mini compressor"1. The circuit is inspired by expensive studio rack-mount optical compressor and limiter units, recreating what the reviewer describes as the iconic smooth, warm compression sound associated with those machines1.
The pedal is also sold under the Rowing and VSN brands, so the same circuit can be found under different names1. Guitar World listed it at $35.99 when it reviewed the pedal in 20162.
An optical-style compressor in a mini pedal
Optical compressors use a light-dependent element to control gain reduction, which is why studio optical units are known for a smooth, unobtrusive character. The Ultimate Comp takes that idea and puts it in a mini enclosure. Delicious Audio's reviewer, Paolo De Gregorio, found the result surprisingly subtle for a pedal of its size and price, and added it to the site's article on the best mini compressor pedals in February 20221.
The pedal keeps the practical details simple: a footswitch taps on and off, with an LED that lights up when the effect is engaged, and 1/4" mono input and output jacks for connecting a guitar, other effects, or an amplifier1.
The Ultimate Comp is also sold under the Rowing and VSN brands1, so the same circuit may appear under different names when comparing listings.
The controls: Level, Comp, Tone and a Normal/Treble switch
The control set is small but covers the essentials. Three knobs and one toggle handle everything:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| LEVEL knob | Controls the output volume1 |
| COMP knob | Controls the intensity of compression1 |
| TONE knob | Controls the effect tone1 |
| Treble accent/Normal toggle | Selects between two voicings2 |
Guitar World's reviewer, Billy Voight, noted the Level and Comp knobs as the two main controls, with Donner adding a Tone knob and the Treble accent/Normal toggle switch on top of them2.
The two-way tone selector chooses between two sound settings1:
That toggle is the quick fix for a familiar issue with compressors on a pedalboard: the TREBLE position gives a brighter compression tone, selected with the two-way tone selector1.
What reviewers said
The two published reviews that cover the pedal came to similar conclusions. Delicious Audio's verdict was short and positive:
"The Donner Ultimate Comp is a surprisingly subtle, great-sounding mini compressor."
Paolo De Gregorio, Delicious Audio1
Guitar World reviewed it in 2016 alongside other Donner mini pedals, at the $35.99 list price2. Neither review flagged the pedal as a problem at its price; the emphasis in both was that it delivers more subtle, usable compression than its size and cost suggest12.
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Questions
How much current does the Donner Ultimate Comp need?
It runs on a 9-volt DC adapter with center negative polarity, and the listed requirement is at least 500mA. That is a high figure for a mini pedal, so a dedicated output on a power supply is the safe way to feed it rather than a small daisy chain.
What does the Treble switch on the Donner Ultimate Comp do?
The two-way toggle selects between two voicings. NORMAL gives a neutral compression tone, while TREBLE gives a brighter compression tone. It lets you add top end back into your sound when heavy compression has dulled it.
Is the Donner Ultimate Comp the same pedal as the Rowing and VSN compressors?
Yes. The Ultimate Comp is also sold under the Rowing and VSN brands, according to Delicious Audio's review. The circuit and controls are the same; only the name and enclosure branding differ.
Does the Donner Ultimate Comp have a tone knob?
Yes. Alongside the Level and Comp knobs there is a Tone knob that controls the effect tone, plus a Treble accent/Normal toggle switch. So you get both a continuous tone control and a two-way voicing switch.
Sources (2)
- Donner Ultimate Comp Mini Compressor, Delicious Audio, 2022-02-25
- Gear Review: Donner Tuner, Looper, Ultimate Comp and Holy Octave Pedals, Guitar World, 2016-04-25
