The NUX NBK-5 Masamune Booster & Kompressor is a booster and compressor pedal in one box, made by NUX. It belongs to the Verdugo Series Stompbox lineup, NUX's range of two-knob effects pedals, and puts both effects in a single metal housing1.
The idea is simple: instead of carrying a separate boost pedal and compressor on your board, the Masamune gives you both. It sits early in your chain, shaping your dry signal before it reaches your amp or any other effects unit1.
The two sections and their controls
The pedal is split into a Boost Section and a Compressor Section, each with its own controls1.
| Section | Control | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Boost | Boost Level | Sets the boost level |
| Boost | Drive | Sets the drive character of the boost |
| Boost | Hi-Cut | Toggle switch that cuts high frequencies on the input signal |
| Compressor | Sustain | Adjusts the compression ratio and increases sustain; higher settings squash the signal harder for longer, richer sustain |
| Compressor | Komp Level | Sets the compressor's final output level, balancing input and output signals |
| Compressor | Blend | Adjusts compressor transparency from 50% to 100% |
The Hi-Cut switch works after you have set your Boost and Drive levels, letting you cut high frequencies on the input signal1. That is a practical touch for players who find a boosted signal too bright or fizzy going into an amp.
The Blend control is the compressor's transparency control. It runs from 50% to 100%, so at the low end you are mixing a good amount of dry signal with the compressed signal, which keeps your picking dynamics more intact while still evening out your levels1.
Routing and how it shapes your sound
The Masamune comes with selectable signal routing, so you can choose the order of the two effects: boost into compressor, or compressor into boost1. That choice matters. Boost first means the compressor sees a hotter signal and clamps down harder; compressor first means a more even signal hits the boost, which is a common setup for pushing an amp.
Pedal of the Day describes it as a pedal that forges your dry signal, enhancing your sound before sending it to your amp or any effects unit, and notes that it can add beneficial color to the signal, boost your volume, or break up your amp1.
"Bring the funk, boost your volume, breakup your amp, they're all possible with this gleaming white beauty!"
Where it sits in the NUX lineup
The Masamune is one of NUX's compact effects pedals1. Players comparing NUX boost options can also look at the NUX Boost Core Deluxe and the Nux Lacerate FET Boost2.
Videos
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Mike Hermans
Brett Kingman
Questions
Can you change the order of the boost and compressor on the NUX Masamune?
Yes. The NBK-5 Masamune comes with selectable signal routing, so you can choose which of the two effects, boost or compressor, hits your signal first. That lets you set up either a clean level boost into a squashed signal or compression into a boost for pushing the amp.
What does the Hi-Cut switch do on the NUX NBK-5?
The Hi-Cut toggle switch cuts high frequencies on the input signal. You set your Boost and Drive levels first, then use the switch to tame any harshness or fizz the boost adds, which is useful when pushing an amp into breakup.
Does the NUX Masamune have a blend control for parallel compression?
Yes. The Blend control adjusts the compressor's transparency from 50% to 100%, so you can mix compressed signal with dry signal. At lower settings the compression is subtler and your picking dynamics stay more intact.
Is the NUX NBK-5 part of the Verdugo Series?
Yes. The NBK-5 Masamune Booster & Kompressor belongs to the Verdugo Series Stompbox lineup from NUX, a range of two-knob effects pedals that the NBK-5 expands with its dual boost and compressor design.
Sources (2)
- NUX NBK-5 Masamune Booster & Kompressor, Pedal of the Day, 2024-07-25
- Nux Announces Lacerate FET Boost Mini Pedal, guitarworld.com, 2017-09-18
