The Dunlop CSP102SL Script Dyna Comp is a compressor pedal from Dunlop's MXR line, spec'd from the company's own 1976 Dyna Comp Compressor1. Dunlop's own history of the pedal describes it as modeled on the circuitry of the classic compressor pedal as first released by MXR2. A compressor evens out the difference between your quietest and loudest notes, and the Dyna Comp is the pedal that defined that job for a generation of players.
The Script version carries the rare CA3080 "metal can" integrated circuit, which Dunlop says yields quieter operation, greater transparency, and increased dynamic range1.
The controls
The CSP102SL keeps the Dyna Comp layout to two knobs and a footswitch1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| SENSITIVITY knob | Sets compression ratio |
| OUTPUT knob | Controls overall effect volume |
| FOOTSWITCH | Toggles effect on/bypass (red LED indicates on) |
Dunlop's manual suggests a starting point: "Start with both controls at 12 o'clock."1 From there, raise SENSITIVITY for a firmer, more compressed feel, and use OUTPUT to set your level against your bypassed signal.
An effect status LED and AC power jack upgrade this compressor for easy use on stage, in Dunlop's words1.
Power and specifications
The pedal runs on 9 volts DC and draws 2.2 mA, a very light load for a pedalboard power supply1. Dunlop's manual names a 9-volt AC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB003, or the DC Brick and Iso-Brick power supplies, as suitable power sources1. It also runs from one 9-volt battery, fitted by removing the bottom plate1.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 9 volts DC |
| Current draw | 2.2 mA |
| Input impedance | 470 kΩ |
| Output impedance | 10 kΩ |
| Max input level | -5 dBV |
| Noise floor | >- 87 dBV A-weighted, all controls at mid position |
| Bypass | True Hardwire |
Signal path is straightforward: run a cable from your guitar to the CSP102SL's INPUT jack, then run another cable from the CSP102SL's OUTPUT jack to your amplifier1.
The manual specifies a 9-volt AC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB003, or the DC Brick and Iso-Brick power supplies1. Match the adapter to the manual's recommendation rather than assuming any 9V pedal supply will do.
Where it sits in the Dyna Comp family
Dunlop has built several Dyna Comp variants over the years, and the CSP102SL is the one aimed at players who want the original circuit as closely as possible. If you want more control over the compression, the Dunlop M228 Dyna Comp Deluxe Compressor adds attack, tone and blend controls, and the Dunlop M291 Dyna Comp Mini Compressor packs the circuit into a smaller enclosure. For a wider look at what compression does and how other designs approach it, see the Compressor Pedals page12.
Questions
Does the Dunlop Script Dyna Comp take a battery?
Yes. According to Dunlop's manual, the CSP102SL is powered by one 9-volt battery, and you remove the bottom plate to install it. The pedal also has an AC power jack, so you can run it from a 9-volt adapter such as the Dunlop ECB003, or from Dunlop's DC Brick or Iso-Brick power supplies, if you would rather keep it on a board power supply.
Is the Script Dyna Comp true bypass?
Dunlop's manual lists the bypass type as True Hardwire, meaning the signal passes through the pedal unaltered when the effect is off. The FOOTSWITCH toggles the effect on and into bypass, and a red LED indicates when the effect is on.
Where should I set the knobs to start on the Script Dyna Comp?
Dunlop's manual suggests starting with both controls at 12 o'clock. From there, the SENSITIVITY knob sets the compression ratio, which is how hard the pedal clamps down on louder playing, and the OUTPUT knob controls the overall effect volume. Adjust SENSITIVITY to taste and use OUTPUT to match or boost your level.
What is a CA3080 metal can chip?
It is an integrated circuit, the part at the heart of the pedal's compression circuit, housed in a round metal can rather than the usual plastic package. Dunlop says the CSP102SL features the rare CA3080 metal can IC, and that this yields quieter operation, greater transparency, and increased dynamic range compared with the standard version.
Can I power the Script Dyna Comp with a standard 9V adapter?
Dunlop's manual specifies a 9-volt AC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB003, or the DC Brick and Iso-Brick power supplies. The pedal runs on 9 volts DC and draws only 2.2 mA, so it is a light load on any supply that meets the manual's recommendation.
Sources (2)
- CSP102SL.pdf, Jim Dunlop, 2019
- A Dyna Comp-rehensive History, Dunlop (lifestyle.jimdunlop.com), 2018-10-25
