The One Control Lemon Yellow Compressor is a compact compressor pedal designed by Björn Juhl, the Swedish designer known as BJF, for One Control. It is part of One Control's BJF Series FX line, a range of mini-case pedals built around Juhl's circuits. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio called it "a very musical compressor in a mini case" and "a simple, versatile compressor that delivers extremely high-quality tone"1.
The pedal keeps the control set minimal: three knobs for ratio, compression amount and level, plus a side switch for sustain. One Control's later Lemon Yellow Compressor 4K, a related version of the circuit, was designed, in the maker's words, "to have the three-dimensional warmth of a vintage studio rack compressor while still being a" standard compressor pedal2.
A compact, musical compressor
The Lemon Yellow Compressor sits in a high-quality, compact aluminum enclosure, one of the defining traits of the BJF Series FX pedals. Delicious Audio notes that the whole series is "incredibly light (approximately 1/3 lb./ 160 grams)" and "built using high-quality, compact aluminum enclosures"1. For a player building a tight pedalboard, that small footprint and solid construction are the practical draw: the pedal takes up little room and does not add noticeable weight.
On how it sounds, One Control describes the 4K version as "a particularly natural compressor. You will be able to experience an illusion tha[t] does not lose its clearness even in loud play, and a great presence in slide play"2. That last point is worth noting for slide players, who often lean on compression to keep sustain even at low playing volume.
Delicious Audio's reviewer was positive enough to add the pedal to the site's article about the best mini compressor pedals1.
"The One Control Lemon Yellow Compressor is a simple, versatile compressor that delivers extremely high-quality tone."
The controls: gain, ratio and volume
The control set is three knobs and one switch. One Control's description of the 4K version gives the knob functions directly2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| GAIN | Adjusts the strength of the compressor |
| RATIO | Adjusts the compression ratio of the compressor |
| VOLUME | Adjusts the volume |
On the 4K, the compression ratio can vary from 1:1 to 5:12. At 1:1 the pedal is effectively not compressing; at 5:1 it is working noticeably harder, squaring off peaks and evening out your picking attack. Delicious Audio describes the original's controls the same way in substance: "controls for compression ratio, amount of compression, and level"1.
A switch on the side of the pedal "allows for increased release time (more sustain)"1. Release time is how quickly the compressor lets go after a note's initial attack: a longer release holds the gain reduction open, which sustains the note as it decays, while a shorter release returns your dynamics sooner.
Specifications
The 4K version's maker specifications2:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input impedance | 500K |
| Output impedance | 10K |
| Dimensions | 39W x 100D x 31H mm (excluding protrusions); 47W x 100D x 48H mm (including protrusions) |
| Weight | Approximately 160 grams (200 grams with battery) |
| Battery | Built-in battery possible, batteries not included |
| Bypass | True bypass switching |
Power comes from a 9V battery or standard DC power supplies, as with all BJF FX pedals1. The 4K's built-in battery compartment is an option if you run the pedal off a board without isolated power, though batteries are not included2.
One Control lists the Lemon Yellow Compressor 4K as sold out on its product page as of October 20262. The original Lemon Yellow Compressor page at Delicious Audio dates from 20221.
The designer and the series
The Lemon Yellow Compressor was designed by Björn Juhl for One Control. One Control describes him as a famed pedal designer who "has created several classic compressor designs over the years"2, and Delicious Audio calls him "world-renowned pedal guru and mad professor Bjorn Juhl"1. The BJF Series FX pedals carry his initials and share the mini aluminum enclosure, true bypass switching and 9V battery or DC power arrangement1.
Players comparing compressors in the same line can also look at the One Control Pale Blue Compressor, and the Lemon Yellow Compressor 4K has its own page with the newer version's details.
Videos
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Mike Hermans
Guitar Sound Systems TV
Questions
Who designed the One Control Lemon Yellow Compressor?
It was designed by Björn Juhl, the Swedish pedal designer known as BJF, for One Control. Juhl has created several well-known compressor designs over the years, and the Lemon Yellow is part of One Control's BJF Series FX pedal line.
What does the sustain switch do on the Lemon Yellow Compressor?
A switch on the side of the pedal increases the release time of the compression, which gives you more sustain. With the switch off, the compressor recovers faster, which keeps your playing dynamics more immediate.
Is the One Control Lemon Yellow Compressor true bypass?
Yes. The Lemon Yellow Compressor uses true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off your signal passes through without active circuitry in the way. This is standard across One Control's BJF Series FX pedals.
How much does the One Control Lemon Yellow Compressor weigh?
The BJF Series FX pedals, including the Lemon Yellow Compressor, weigh approximately 160 grams, about a third of a pound. The 4K version is listed at approximately 160 grams, or 200 grams with a battery inserted.
Sources (2)
- One Control Lemon Yellow Compressor, Delicious Audio, 2022-02-17
- LEMON YELLOW COMPRESSOR 4K (OC-LYC4Kn), One Control USA
