The Spaceman Effects Ixion is an optical compressor pedal in stompbox form, announced in February 2023. Spaceman describes it as "an extremely smooth, clean, and low-noise optical compressor" with "the fattest, juiciest tone with a warm, vintage appeal"12. It is a completely original discrete analog design, hand-wired and built in Portland, Oregon, and it carries a list price of $279.001.
The circuit uses an optical element in shunt formation with a feedback sidechain tapped directly after the gain control element, an arrangement Spaceman compares to the famous LA-2A studio compressor1. Delicious Audio's launch report likewise framed the pedal around the LA-2A circuit approach2. Both the original Ixion and the final Space Mod edition of NOS units are sold out as of October 202613.
How it works
An optical compressor reads a sample of your signal, called the sidechain, and uses it to drive a light source shining on a photocell. The photocell then controls how much the signal is pulled down. Because the light and cell respond gradually, optical compression tends toward smooth gain reduction rather than the abrupt grabbing of a hard limiter. The Ixion's maximum compression is 6:1, and Delicious Audio pointed out that this means "no limiting here," since a limiter works at a far higher ratio2.
Spaceman places the optical element in shunt formation, with a feedback sidechain tapped directly after the gain control element, and cites the LA-2A studio compressor as a prominent example of this arrangement1. The make-up gain that restores level after compression is described as harmonically rich and usable as vintage grit if desired1.
The controls
The Ixion's front panel gives you four knobs plus preset-style settings named Moderation, Smoothie, Jangle, Take The Edge Off, Double Wide, and Metamorph1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| THRESH | Sets the amount of signal needed to trigger compression, independently of the make-up gain1 |
| MIX | Blends compressed and dry signal, balancing natural tone and dynamic feel, and enabling parallel compression1 |
| Tone | Neutral when centered, treble-boosted clockwise, rolled off counterclockwise1 |
| CONTOUR | Controls an A-weighted equal loudness filter in the sidechain1 |
The THRESH control being independent of the make-up gain matters in practice: you can set how hard the compressor grabs without changing your output level, then add gain separately. The MIX control opens up parallel compression, blending your untouched dry signal back in so the attack and dynamics survive while the sustained body of the compressed signal fills out the sound. Delicious Audio's coverage described the tone control as a treble control, neutral in the center, that boosts or cuts high-end frequencies2.
The CONTOUR knob works on the sidechain rather than your audio. It shapes an A-weighted equal loudness filter, which changes what the compressor reacts to rather than what you hear directly1.
The sidechain jack and expression control
The Ixion's most unusual feature is its externally accessible sidechain jack, configured as RING-SEND and TIP-RETURN (Tip-Return / Ring-Send / Sleeve-GND)1. Delicious Audio noted this "opens up very interesting possibilities such as using a" different source to drive the compression2. Three uses stand out:
- Plug an expression pedal into the sidechain jack to control compression, which Spaceman highlights under its Metamorph setting1
- Feed it from other pedals to shape how the compressor responds1
- Drive it with a different audio source, so the Ixion compresses your guitar according to something else entirely1
For players who want compression that reacts to a signal other than their own, or who want to sweep the compression with their foot, this jack is the reason to seek one out. See expression pedals for the kind of controller that works here.
Power, switching and build
The Ixion runs on 9 to 18V DC, negative center, through a 2.1mm jack, with a bypass current draw of 14mA1. Delicious Audio noted the optional 18V operation gives higher headroom2. There is no battery option; it is a powered pedal.
Both the original Ixion and the final Space Mod edition of NOS units are sold out. The Space Mod edition was the last batch, with an updated engraved faceplate that nods to the original vintage device that inspired the Ixion, and updated knobs; that faceplate design was previously only available on an extremely limited Spacelab edition3.
Switching is true-bypass relay with a soft-touch footswitch, so the circuit drops out of the signal path entirely when off1. The pedal sits in a cast-aluminum enclosure with a durable, engraved vinyl faceplate and a jewel indicator light1.
Videos
Demos In The Dark
Mark Johnston
Sasha Ivantic
Questions
Is the Spaceman Ixion true bypass?
Yes. Spaceman Effects specifies true-bypass relay switching with a soft-touch footswitch, so the pedal's circuit is taken out of the signal path entirely when disengaged. Delicious Audio's launch coverage also lists it as true-bypass.
What is the maximum compression ratio on the Spaceman Ixion?
The maximum compression available is 6:1. Delicious Audio notes this means there is no limiting on tap, since a limiter works at a much higher ratio. Compression depth is set by the THRESH control, which adjusts independently of the make-up gain.
Can you use an expression pedal with the Spaceman Ixion?
Yes. The sidechain jack is configured as RING-SEND and TIP-RETURN, and Spaceman says you can plug an expression pedal into it to control compression. The same jack also accepts other pedals or a different audio source to drive the sidechain.
Where is the Spaceman Ixion made?
Spaceman Effects builds the Ixion in Portland, Oregon, and describes it as hand-wired. The pedal sits in a cast-aluminum enclosure with an engraved vinyl faceplate and a jewel indicator light.
Is the Spaceman Ixion still available?
No. Both the original Ixion and the final Space Mod edition of NOS units are listed as sold out on Spaceman Effects' product pages as of October 2026. The Space Mod edition was the last batch, with a faceplate previously seen only on a very limited Spacelab edition.
Sources (3)
- Ixion - Optical Photocell Compressor - Spaceman Effects, Spaceman Effects
- New Pedal: Spaceman Ixion Optical Compressor, Delicious Audio, 2023-02-28
- Ixion - Optical Photocell Compressor - Spaceman Effects, Spaceman Effects
