The Farm Pedals Kegel Compressor is a compressor pedal from Farm Pedals, a Maine builder whose pedals are handmade and hand-painted, with no two units identical. Pedal of the Day's 2017 review described it as a compressor that "can get down and dirty, with enough squeeze to make your tone sparkle and pop," setting it apart from compressors that stay strictly clean.1
Controls
The Kegel keeps things simple with three knobs:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| C | Adjusts the compression1 |
| V | Controls the overall output volume of the Kegel Compressor1 |
| G (Gain) | Smooth, clean and crisp compression tones when turned all the way to the left; more dirt and a less compressed sound when maxed out, enough to drive a tube amp into saturation1 |
The gain control is the Kegel's distinguishing feature. Where most compressor pedals offer only squeeze and level, the G knob lets the circuit lean toward overdrive character as it is turned up, blurring the line between a compressor and a light overdrive1.
Bypass and build
The Kegel is available in two versions: true bypass, or buffered, with the buffered models carrying a "B" stamped on them. Each pedal is handmade and hand-painted in Maine, so no two Farm Pedals are ever identical.1
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's reviewer came away favorably, summing up the Kegel's character this way1:
"A very natural and organic sound, the compression isn't too overpowering or too transparent....it's just right."
Related pedals
Farm Pedals builds each of its pedals by hand in Maine, and no two are identical, since every enclosure is handmade and hand-painted.2
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What is the Farm Pedals Kegel Compressor?
It is a compressor pedal made by Farm Pedals, handmade and hand-painted in Maine. It has three controls: C for compression, V for overall output volume, and G for gain. The gain control takes it from smooth, clean and crisp compression to a dirtier, less compressed sound that can drive a tube amp into saturation. It is available in true bypass or buffered versions, the buffered models carrying a B stamped on them.
How does the Kegel Compressor sound?
Pedal of the Day's reviewer described a very natural and organic sound, with compression that is neither too overpowering nor too transparent. At the lowest gain setting it produces smooth, clean and crisp compression tones, while maxing the gain adds dirt and a less compressed sound, enough to push a tube amp into saturation.
Sources (2)
- Farm Pedals Kegel Compressor, Pedal of the Day, 2017-08-04
- Farm Pedals Farmhouse Compressor Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2019-02-08