The Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor is a compression pedal from Marshall Amplification, built in a retro-styled heavy-duty metal chassis with four adjustment knobs: Emphasis, Volume, Attack and Compression. It runs on a standard nine volt battery or an optional AC adapter, and it carries an LED to show On/Off status along with a metal button-style foot switch1.
The controls: Emphasis, Volume, Attack and Compression
The ED-1's four knobs each cover a separate part of the compression effect1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Emphasis | A Hi/Lo adjustment, and everything in between, that selects which end of the tonal spectrum you wish to emphasize1 |
| Volume | Controls the level of sound1 |
| Attack | Controls the level of the initial strike of the note or string1 |
| Compression | Adjusts the amount of compression desired1 |
The Emphasis knob is the one that sets the ED-1 apart from a simple two- or three-knob compressor: rather than only setting squeeze and level, it lets you bias the effect toward the top or bottom of the tonal spectrum, with the full range in between1.
Power and enclosure
The ED-1 is housed in a heavy-duty metal chassis with chrome metal knobs and a metal button-style foot switch. An LED displays On/Off status. Power comes from a standard nine volt battery compartment found on the bottom of the unit, which requires a coin or screwdriver for opening, or from a jack for an optional AC adapter1.
Price
When MusicPlayers.com reviewed the pedal in February 2007, the ED-1 carried a $119.99 MSRP and sold for approximately $70, which the reviewer placed squarely within the middle range of compression pedals1. In a 2020 buying guide, Josh Scott of JHS Pedals put it more plainly: "So for $45, you can have the compressor Marshall ED-1 Edward"2.
What reviewers said
MusicPlayers.com's reviewer, Derek Davodowich, found the ED-1's sound depended on the guitar plugged into it1:
"Depending on the guitar you play, the ED-1 is a very good sounding compressor. We first tested the pedal using a Strat..."
With a Strat, he reported it worked beautifully, giving a very smooth and warm sustain in series with an overdrive pedal, and by itself a very clean, compressed sound1. He also noted that Marshall provided good documentation regarding connections and sample settings to get the user acquainted with the unit, a practical touch for anyone setting up a compressor for the first time1.
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Questions
Does the Marshall ED-1 Edward take a battery?
Yes. The ED-1 has a standard nine volt battery compartment located on the bottom of the unit, which requires a coin or screwdriver to open. It can also run from a jack for an optional AC adapter, so players can choose between battery power and mains power.
How much does the Marshall ED-1 Edward cost?
When MusicPlayers.com reviewed it in February 2007, the ED-1 carried a $119.99 MSRP and sold for approximately $70. In a 2020 buying guide, Josh Scott of JHS Pedals put the price at $45, so the going price has varied over the years depending on when and where you look.
What does the Emphasis knob do on the ED-1?
The Emphasis knob is a Hi/Lo adjustment, with everything in between, that lets you select which end of the tonal spectrum you wish to emphasize. In practice it shapes whether the compression leans toward the higher or lower end of your tone.
Does the Marshall ED-1 come with sample settings?
Yes. According to MusicPlayers.com's review, Marshall provided good documentation regarding connections and sample settings to get the user acquainted with the unit, which is helpful for a first compressor.
Can the ED-1 Edward run on an AC adapter?
Yes. Alongside the nine volt battery compartment, the ED-1 has a jack for an optional AC adapter, so it can be powered from a mains adapter instead of a battery.
Sources (2)
- Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor, MusicPlayers.com, 2007-02-07
- $70 PEDALS THAT DON'T SUCK, JHS Pedals, 2020
