The Harley Benton Dynamic Compressor is a compressor pedal built around three controls: sustain, attack and level. Harley Benton describes it as extremely easy to use because of that small control set, and it is aimed at players who want evening-out and sustain from a pedal without a deep menu of parameters1.
Controls
The pedal has three knobs, and Harley Benton's own description spells out what each does at a high level1:
- Sustain: sets how much compression the pedal applies, evening out the gap between loud and quiet notes1.
- Attack: shapes how the front of each note comes through the compression1.
- Level: sets the output volume of the effect1.
Harley Benton sums up the design this way: "With only three parameters (Sustain, Attack and Level), it is extremely easy to use."1
Power and bypass
The Dynamic Compressor runs on either a 9 V battery or a mains adapter, and neither is included with the pedal. Harley Benton lists the battery under article number #417473# and the mains adapter under article number #409939#, both as separate purchases1.
No power supply comes in the box. If you are adding this to a pedalboard, budget for a mains adapter or a battery before it arrives.
Switching is true bypass, so the pedal's circuit drops out of the signal chain when it is off. A status LED shows when the effect is engaged1.
Build and size
The pedal sits in what Harley Benton calls a "road-ready diecast casing" with solidly anchored 1/4-inch jacks, which the maker says will handle the rough and tumble of touring1. Its footprint is 38 x 64 x 118 mm, height by width by depth, a compact enclosure that fits a crowded board1.
Harley Benton builds a step-up model in its range, the Harley Benton Custom Line CS-5 Compressor, for players looking further up the line. The Dynamic Compressor itself sits in a road-ready diecast casing with solidly anchored 1/4" jacks, which the maker says will handle the rough and tumble of your next tour, and a status LED shows when the true bypass effect is engaged1.
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Questions
Does the Harley Benton Dynamic Compressor take a battery?
Yes. Harley Benton's product page lists operation with a 9 V battery, sold separately under the maker's article number #417473#. A mains adapter is also an option, and that is not included either, so plan to supply your own power whichever route you take.
Is the Harley Benton Dynamic Compressor true bypass?
Yes. Harley Benton describes it as a true bypass pedal, and the status LED shows when the effect is engaged. With true bypass switching, the pedal's circuit is taken out of the signal path when it is off.
Does the Harley Benton Dynamic Compressor come with a power supply?
No. The maker's page lists a mains adapter under article number #409939# as not included, and the 9 V battery option is not included either. You will need to provide your own power supply or battery.
How big is the Harley Benton Dynamic Compressor?
Harley Benton gives the dimensions as 38 x 64 x 118 mm, measured height by width by depth. That is a standard compact enclosure size that fits alongside other mini and standard pedals on a board.
What does the sustain knob do on a compressor?
On a compressor, the sustain control sets how much the pedal evens out the difference between loud and quiet notes. Turning it up increases the amount of compression, which lets notes ring longer at a more even volume, which players often use for sustained lead lines.
Sources (1)
- Dynamic Compressor, Harley Benton
