The Endorphin.es Golden Master Pedal is a digital multiband compressor and equalizer designed to sit at the end of a signal chain. Endorphin.es positions it as a pedalboard's or entire electronic mix end-of-chain processor, built to deliver high pressure audio for live concerts and venues, in other words a loud, punchy final stage that pushes a mix without overloading the master limiter1. It is a pedal-form take on the company's Golden Master eurorack module, based on that module and Endorphin.es's experience in electronic live music performance1.
What it does and how it is controlled
The pedal combines multiband compression with three-band equalization. Alongside the three-band EQ, the pedal offers a choice between direct compression and mid-side compression2.
Mid-side compression is the mode most players coming from a mixing background will recognize. Instead of compressing the left and right channels identically, it processes the middle of the stereo image, what both channels share, separately from the sides, the differences between them. That makes it possible to tighten the center of a mix while leaving the stereo width alone, or the reverse.
The controls break down as follows:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Band knobs (low, mid, high) | Each of the compressor's three bands has its own control knob4 |
| Band buttons | Each band has a button for activating and muting that band's compressor mode4 |
| Two footswitches | Cycling through presets or activating signal bypass2 |
| Expression pedal input | Dedicated input; Endorphin.es says it allows master volume control2 |
MusicRadar's reviewers described the layout this way:
"The compressor has three bands, each with a control knob and a button for activating and muting the effect."
Stereo use and the expression pedal
The Golden Master Pedal has stereo input and output, plus the dedicated expression pedal input32. Its connections:
- Stereo input
- Stereo output
- Expression pedal input for master volume control2
MusicRadar's reviewers found the pedal works best on stereo signals overall, and made a specific point about one of its modes: a stereo input is needed for the stereo field enhancer mode to work, and it won't do much with a single input4. A player running a mono guitar into the pedal should therefore expect the stereo enhancement to be off the table, even though the compression and EQ themselves still apply.
Power
The pedal runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 150 mA1. That is a higher draw than many compact pedals, so a supply outlet rated for at least 150 mA is needed, and a daisy chain shared with low-current pedals may not be adequate.
With a 150 mA current draw at 9V DC1, the Golden Master Pedal needs its own adequately rated outlet on a pedalboard power supply.
Where it came from
Endorphin.es showed the Golden Master Pedal publicly alongside its Ghost Pedal, with both scheduled to ship that Autumn2. Premier Guitar's report on the debut described the pedal as harkening Endorphin.es's highly successful Golden Master eurorack module2, and RockBoard's PedalPedia says the pedal is based on that module and its experience in electronic live music performances1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review team summed up their findings in a pros and cons format. On the positive side, they listed that the pedal "Works best on stereo signals"4.
Videos
Endorphin.es
Mark Johnston
Matt Lowery
Questions
Is the Endorphin.es Golden Master Pedal analog or digital?
It is a digital pedal. Endorphin.es lists the circuit type as digital, and the pedal runs 24 bit / 96 kHz input and output. It is a pedal-form version of the company's Golden Master eurorack module, carrying over that module's multiband compressor and equalizer approach for use at the end of a pedalboard or electronic mix chain.
Does the Golden Master Pedal work in stereo?
Yes. The pedal has stereo input and output. MusicRadar's reviewers found it works best on stereo signals overall, and one mode in particular, the stereo field enhancer, needs a stereo input to work at all. With a single input, they noted, that mode will not do much.
What is mid-side compression on the Golden Master Pedal?
The pedal offers two compression options: direct and mid-side. Mid-side compression processes the middle of a stereo signal, roughly what the two channels share, separately from the sides, the differences between them. That lets you compress the center and the stereo width of a mix differently rather than treating both channels the same way.
Can I use an expression pedal with the Golden Master Pedal?
Yes. The pedal has a dedicated input for an expression pedal, and Endorphin.es says it allows master volume control. The pedal also has stereo input and output jacks alongside that expression input.
How much current does the Golden Master Pedal draw?
The pedal draws 150 mA at 9V DC with a center negative plug. That is more than some small pedals need, so it is worth checking what your power supply can deliver on the outlet you plan to use.
Is the Golden Master Pedal the same as the eurorack module?
It is a pedal-form version of the same design. Endorphin.es says the pedal is based on its Golden Master eurorack module and the company's experience in electronic live music performance, and Premier Guitar described the pedal as harkening the highly successful Golden Master eurorack module.
Sources (4)
- Golden Master Pedal by ENDORPHIN.ES, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Endorphin.es Ghost Pedal and Golden Master to Make Debut, Premier Guitar, 2023-05-08
- Endorphin.es Ghost Pedal Gets Major Firmware Update, gearnews.com, 2026-04-13
- Endorphin.es Golden Master review, MusicRadar, 2024-01-05
