The Ross Audibles Gray Compressor is a compressor pedal, the first of the planned Ross Audibles reissues of the original Ross line. Pedal of the Day describes it as giving "warm compression, without being overbearing," with long-lasting sustain that lets the original sound come through while evening out highs and lows1. The original Ross Compressor it continues is counted among the all-time classic compressors by General Guitar Gadgets2.
Circuit lineage
The original Ross Compressor was based on the MXR Dyna Comp, with small updates mostly related to power filtering and noise reduction. As Aion FX puts it, "It has better power supply filtering and thus lower noise, but is otherwise very similar to the Dyna Comp."4
The Gray Compressor is a faithful continuation of that line rather than a component-for-component copy. Pedal of the Day describes the layout, look and feel as "practically identical to the original," but the pedal uses a new circuit design and new internal components, along with the original custom enclosure design1.
Controls
The two-knob layout carries over the original Ross design: "Ross Controls - Sustain, Level," as Guitar Pedal X notes in its overview of Ross-style compressors3. On Ross-style circuits with an internal trimpot, Guitar FX Layouts' setup procedure runs the Sustain full clockwise, then adjusts the trimpot for the cleanest sound6.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's reviewer found the sound "incredible," saying the pedal's qualities "form one of the most enjoyable and cohesive compression sounds we've come across"1.
"The Gray Compressor is also true bypass, something the first models didn't feature, resulting in zero tone loss or signal degradation."
How it differs from the original
Two practical changes set the Gray Compressor apart from the first Ross Compressors1:
- True bypass, which the first models did not have, so there is no tone loss when the pedal is off1
- The power jack is now placed on top of the enclosure1
Related pedals
The tan Ross Distortion was released alongside the Gray Compressor as part of the same reissue run1. The Ross circuit family has also inspired later designs, including the Olinthus Pillbug, a small FET compressor Guitar Pedal X describes as inspired by the Boss CS-2 and the Ross Compressor3. For more on the effect type, see Compressor Pedals.
Videos
Ross Audibles
Pedal of the Day
Demos In The Dark
Questions
Is the Ross Audibles Gray Compressor true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day notes that the Gray Compressor is true bypass, something the first Ross Compressor models did not feature. According to the review, this results in zero tone loss or signal degradation when the pedal is off, so it can sit on a board without coloring the bypassed sound.
Is the Gray Compressor the same circuit as the original Ross Compressor?
It is a faithful continuation of the original Ross Compressor line rather than a straight copy. Pedal of the Day describes the layout, look and feel as practically identical to the original, but the pedal uses a new circuit design and new internal components alongside the original custom enclosure design.
What other pedal was released alongside the Ross Audibles Gray Compressor?
The tan Ross Distortion was released alongside the Gray Compressor. Pedal of the Day describes the Compressor as the first of the planned Ross Audibles reissues, with the tan Distortion also released at the same time.
Where is the power jack on the Ross Audibles Gray Compressor?
The power jack is placed on top of the enclosure. Pedal of the Day notes this as one of the few changes from the original Ross Compressor layout, alongside the addition of true bypass.
Is the Ross Audibles Gray Compressor available yet?
At the time of Pedal of the Day's May 2019 review, the Gray Compressor was available for preorder, with the reviewer directing readers to get on the preorder list. The page's information reflects that date.
Sources (6)
- Ross Audibles Gray Compressor, Pedal of the Day, 2019-05-04
- Ross™ Compressor Clone: DIY Kit, PCB & Schematic, generalguitargadgets.com, 2014-05-12
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-12-11
- Aurora Compressor / Sustainer, Aion FX, 2018-06-30
- JHS Pedals resurrects the Ross Electronics brand and relaunches it with five new pedals, MusicRadar, 2023-08-15
- Guitar FX Layouts: Way Huge Saffron Squeeze MKI, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2017-06-13
