The Dr. J Aerolite Compressor is a compressor pedal from Dr. J Pedals, a maker the reviewer described as being "in Scandinavia". It sits in the broad field of compressor pedals, evening out a guitar's dynamics, but Mike B, writing at Pedal of the Day in May 2014, called it "a unique pedal in a sea of comp[ressors]", largely because of the mix control that lets you blend compressed and uncompressed signal.1
What it does
The Aerolite's controls cover the usual compressor ground with one addition most pedals of the type leave out:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| ATTACK | Adjusts the dynamics and reacts to your playing, depending on how hard or soft you pick the strings1 |
| MIX | Controls the amount of Wet/Dry signal coming out to your amp1 |
| OUTPUT | Controls the volume boost coming from the pedal itself1 |
| INPUT switch | Varies your input signal to the pedal in 3 degrees: High, Mid and Low1 |
The MIX knob is the pedal's distinguishing feature. Turned all the way down, it sends only the dry signal, and the reviewer found a second use in that position: "if you turn it all the way down, you can use the Aerolite as an awesome clean boost, it's like 2 pedals in one!" That makes it a candidate for players who also keep a dedicated unit on their board, such as those covered on the boost pedals page.1
"The Aerolite from Dr. J is just about the best compressor on the market in its price range, and one of the best I've played through period."
Videos
EytschPi42
All Things Weatherly
TOMTOP
Sources (1)
- Dr. J Aerolite Compressor, Pedal of the Day, 2014-05-15