The Jeds Peds Optical Compressor is a DIY guitar effects pedal kit: a set of parts and a circuit board you solder yourself to build an optical compressor, a type of compressor pedal that uses a light based element to control gain. Jeds Peds describes it plainly as "a simple, but effective optical compressor."1
What the kit is
An optical compressor is a compressor circuit built around a light dependent gain control, and this kit lets you build one yourself rather than buy a finished pedal. The maker's own framing is modest: "This is a simple, but effective optical compressor."1
One build detail worth knowing before you start: "the newly laid out PCB now hangs from both pots inside the case," so the board mounts on the two potentiometers rather than on standoffs.1
Versions and what each includes
The kit is sold in four versions, from a bare board to a ready to finish package:1
| Version | What you get |
|---|---|
| PCB Only | Just the plain PCB |
| PCB & Components | PCB, onboard components and any pots and toggle switches |
| Full Kit | As above, with undrilled enclosure and off board components (foot switch, jacks, 9V, LED) |
| Full Kit & Drilling | The Full Kit with all the holes drilled for a complete pedal, for a small surcharge |
Drilling is an optional extra for the Full Kit only, with a small surcharge. The standard Full Kit enclosure is undrilled.1
Controls and build requirements
The build needs two knobs, and the maker suggests medium sized ones: "You will need 2 knobs for this kit. I suggest you get medium sized."1
If you would rather not solder at all, pre-built versions of Jeds Peds kits are available, but they are not immediate: "Pre Built Kits have a 1 to 4 week build time."1
Related optical compressors
Two optical compressors from other makers have been covered by reviewers: the Greer Amps Lamplighter Optical Compressor, reviewed by Pedal of the Day in 20172, and the Pete Cornish OC-1 Optical Compressor, which Aion FX traced and documented in its circuit journal3. Jeds Peds also makes other DIY compressor kits, such as the Jeds Peds Orange Squeezer kit.
Questions
What circuit is the Jeds Peds Optical Compressor based on?
Jeds Peds says the kit compares to the Flatline Compressor. It is described by the maker as a simple but effective optical compressor, a design that uses a light dependent element to control gain rather than a voltage controlled amplifier. For other optical designs, see the Greer Amps Lamplighter and the Pete Cornish OC-1.
What is included in the Jeds Peds Full Kit?
The Full Kit adds to the PCB and onboard components an undrilled enclosure and the off board parts: the foot switch, jacks, 9V connection and LED. Drilling is an optional extra for the Full Kit, with a small surcharge, and includes all the holes needed for a complete pedal.
Does the Jeds Peds Optical Compressor kit come drilled?
Not by default. The Full Kit comes with an undrilled enclosure, and drilling is offered as an optional extra for a small surcharge. The drilled option includes all the holes for a complete pedal.
How many knobs does the Jeds Peds Optical Compressor need?
Two. Jeds Peds suggests medium sized knobs for this kit.
How long do pre-built Jeds Peds kits take?
Pre Built Kits have a 1 to 4 week build time, according to the maker's product page.
Sources (3)
- Optical Compressor, Jeds Peds
- Greer Amps Lamplighter Optical Compressor, Pedal of the Day, 2017-07-31
- Tracing Journal: Cornish OC-1 Optical Compressor, with X-rays!, Aion FX (aionfx.com), 2019-11-15
