The Homebrew Electronics Compressor Retro, sometimes called the CPR, is a compressor pedal from HomeBrew Electronics, the pedal company run by Joel Weaver. It is a deliberately simple design: two controls, a true-bypass footswitch, and a circuit that MusicRadar describes as modeled on a certain vintage compressor. The aim, per the maker as reported by MusicRadar, is "a very transparent type of compression"1.
What it does
As a compressor, the pedal evens out the dynamic range of your playing and extends sustain, and it sits alongside other designs covered on the Compressor Pedals type page. The Compressor Retro keeps the control layout minimal. MusicRadar's advice on setting it up is straightforward: "just set the amount of sustain you need and then adjust the output level to balance the on/off sounds"1.
On transparency, MusicRadar found that "at low sustain settings there are no noticeable tonal difference from the dry amp sound, apart from the obvious increase" in sustain1. That makes it a set-and-forget style of compressor rather than one that imposes its own character on your tone.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sustain | Sets the amount of compression and sustain you need12 |
| Level | Adjusts the output level to balance the on/off sounds12 |
Build and power
Vintage Guitar's January 2005 review notes that the Compressor Retro "uses the same components, battery clip, and general build as the Power Screamer", HomeBrew's overdrive pedal, and that the tester had the standard polyester powdercoat finish2. MusicRadar describes the range's enclosures as "simple and sturdy, built in either small or medium die-cast boxes and powder-coated in bright, sparkly colours"1.
Power comes from either a nine-volt battery or a DC adaptor, and the adaptor is not supplied with the pedal1.
The DC adaptor is not included in the box, so plan to use a battery or supply your own adaptor1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's verdict was short and positive: "Simple, transparent and sounds great."1 The reviewer also noted that at low sustain settings there is no noticeable tonal difference from the dry amp sound, apart from the obvious increase in sustain1.
The pedal itself reflects the company's approach to hardware: the units are simple and sturdy, built in either small or medium die-cast boxes and powder-coated in bright, sparkly colors1. Power is equally straightforward, with each pedal running on either a nine-volt battery or a DC adaptor, though the adaptor is not supplied1.
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Questions
What does the Homebrew Electronics Compressor Retro do?
It is a compressor pedal designed to provide a very transparent type of compression. MusicRadar's review describes it as modelled on a certain vintage compressor, and notes that at low sustain settings there is no noticeable tonal difference from the dry amp sound apart from an increase in sustain. You set the sustain you need, then use the level control to balance the on and off sounds.
How is the Compressor Retro powered?
It runs on either a nine-volt battery or a DC adaptor, but the adaptor is not supplied with the pedal, so you need to provide your own. Vintage Guitar's review also notes a true-bypass footswitch with an LED indicator.
What controls does it have?
The Compressor Retro has two controls: sustain, which sets the amount of compression and sustain you need, and level, which adjusts the output so the pedal's on and off sounds are balanced. Vintage Guitar's January 2005 review confirms the same two controls plus a true-bypass footswitch with LED.
Sources (2)
- Homebrew Electronics Compressor Retro review, MusicRadar, 2007-12-06
- HomeBrew Electronics Power Screamer/Compressor Retro, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2010-05-01
