The Strymon Compadre is a dual compressor and boost pedal from Strymon, released in May 2020 at $2991. Every aspect of its audio signal processing is fully analog, built around premium VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) compressor circuits, with digital control and programmability layered on top2. Two footswitches run the show: one for the compressor, one for the boost, so each effect can be used independently3.
The compressor side gives you two voicing options: Studio, which Strymon describes as smooth compression as found in vintage rack compressors, and Squeeze, which delivers heavy compression with maximum sustain2. The boost side offers a Clean Boost and a diode soft-clipping Dirty Boost, with three EQ shapes4. A Dry knob blends your dry signal back in with the compressed signal to preserve attack transients, a parallel-compression approach borrowed from studio practice2.
What the Compadre does to your sound
The compressor section is VCA-based, with two distinct voices selected by the Comp Type control5. Strymon says Studio mode gives you smooth, transparent compression like the best vintage studio rack units, while Squeeze mode delivers heavy compression with maximum sustain2. Guitar World's reviewer Trevor Curwen found Squeeze mode has an obvious clamping down on note transients that he judged just right for country players doing chicken pickin' and pedal-steel-style bends5.
The Boost offers a generous maximum 14dB of boost with its EQ set flat5. The Boost EQ switch selects the frequency shape for both clean and dirty boost6:
| Boost EQ position | What it does |
|---|---|
| Treble | Tightens the bottom end by boosting mid to high frequencies2 |
| Mid | Fattens tone by pushing midrange frequencies2 |
| Flat | Full range frequency response2 |
Guitar World's reviewer found the Treble setting pitched in classic treble booster territory, pushing upper mid and high frequencies and tightening up the bottom end, while the Mid setting accentuates midrange frequencies and fattens up your tone5.
Clean or dirty boost
A rear BOOST TYPE switch selects between a clean or dirty boost6. The Dirty Boost uses diode soft-clipping, which puts it in overdrive territory rather than a pure volume lift4. Guitar World's reviewer found that with Dirt engaged, the boost is conspicuously Tube Screamer-like in the Mid setting5. Players comparing it against overdrive pedals should know it is a boost circuit first, with clipping as an option.
Where it came from: the OB.1 connection
The Compadre is built around premium analog VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) compressor circuits2. Every aspect of its audio signal processing is fully analog, with premium quality components, while digital control and programmability sit on top of that analog signal path2.
The Compadre's power requirements also set it apart from simpler compressor pedals: it needs a supply delivering a minimum of 150mA of current through a standard 5.5mm x 2.1mm barrel connection2. Its compression is voiced in two modes, studio for smooth compression as found in vintage rack compressors and squeeze for hard pedal style compression2.
Controls and connections
The Compadre's front panel carries the compressor and boost footswitches, the Dry knob for parallel compression, a Boost knob that adjusts the amount of boost when the boost circuit is active, and the Boost EQ selector2. Around the back and edges:
- In: High impedance ultra low-noise discrete Class A JFET preamp input2
- Out: Low impedance mono output2
- Volume: TRS expression pedal jack for full-time volume pedal functionality2
- Fav/MIDI: Full featured MIDI control with access to 300 presets and remote parameter control via quarter-inch TRS, requiring the Strymon MIDI EXP Cable or a MIDI to TRS interface2
- BOOST TYPE and BOOST EQ: rear switches for boost character and frequency shape6
Strymon recommends an expression pedal with a minimum of 25k Ohm potentiometer for the Volume jack7. When the pedal is set to Buffered or Auto Bypass modes, the expression pedal still functions as a volume pedal even when both the boost and compressor are bypassed7. Firmware updates are handled through a micro-USB port inside the chassis, accessible by removing the bottom plate8.
MIDI and presets
The Compadre contains 300 preset locations, numbered sequentially from 0 to 2999. It can be controlled with an external MIDI device via the Fav/MIDI jack, and it is set to MIDI channel 1 by default9. The MIDI specification is listed on page 13 of the Compadre manual10.
Power and bypass
The Compadre takes a 9V DC center-negative power supply only, drawing a minimum of 150mA, and the supply is not included2. Strymon warns that subjecting the pedal to any voltage above 9V will damage it and void the warranty11. There is no battery option, unlike the older OB.111.
The power connection is a standard 5.5mm x 2.1mm barrel2. Bypass is selectable: True Bypass with electromechanical relay switching, or an ultra low-noise Buffered Bypass2. The compressor's signal-to-noise ratio is 109 dB typical2.
Using it on bass
Strymon says the Compadre has a full frequency response that does not filter out any of the low end, which allows you to use it with bass or any other instruments that output low frequency audio signals12. Bass players can treat it as they would any other bass pedal with a full-range signal path.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review team called the Compadre an ideal one-box solution for adding some secret sauce to your tone and bringing out the best in your amplifier, with a clever, intuitive design, and concluded it is "your new always-on stompbox"13.
"With a clever, intuitive design, the Compadre makes an ideal one-box solution for adding some secret sauce to your tone and bring out the best in your amplifier."
Pedal of the Day's reviewer called it "a wonderful dual pedal that will fit perfectly at the front of your" pedalboard14, and Guitar Player's Dave Hunter noted its lineage from the simpler OB.11415.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Compression type | VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier)2 |
| Compression modes | Studio and Squeeze2 |
| Boost types | Clean and Dirty (diode soft-clipping)4 |
| Maximum boost | Approximately 14dB with EQ flat2 |
| Bypass | Selectable True Bypass or Buffered Bypass2 |
| Signal/noise | 109 dB typical (compressor)2 |
| Power | 9V DC center negative, minimum 150mA2 |
| Connector | 5.5mm x 2.1mm barrel2 |
| Chassis | Anodized dark red aluminum2 |
| Dimensions | 4.5" deep x 4" wide x 2.4" tall (11.43 x 10.16 x 6.1 cm)2 |
| Presets | 300, numbered 0 to 2999 |
Videos
Rhett Shull
Andertons Music Co
strymon
News
Questions
Is the Strymon Compadre true bypass?
Yes, and it is selectable. The Compadre offers True Bypass using electromechanical relay switching, or an ultra low-noise Buffered Bypass mode you can choose instead. In Buffered or Auto Bypass modes an expression pedal connected to the Volume jack still works as a volume pedal even when both the boost and compressor are bypassed.
Can you use the Strymon Compadre on bass?
Yes. Strymon says the Compadre has a full frequency response that does not filter out any of the low end, which allows you to use it with bass or any other instruments that output low frequency audio signals. The compressor and boost circuits both work with bass signals.
Does the Strymon Compadre take a battery?
No. The Compadre is powered by a 9V DC center-negative power supply drawing a minimum of 150mA, and the power supply is not included. Strymon warns that subjecting the pedal to any voltage above 9V will damage it and void the warranty.
How many presets does the Strymon Compadre store over MIDI?
The Compadre contains 300 preset locations, numbered sequentially from 0 to 299. MIDI control runs through the Fav/MIDI quarter-inch TRS jack and requires the Strymon MIDI EXP Cable or a MIDI to TRS interface. The pedal defaults to MIDI channel 1.
Is the Compadre's dirty boost like a Tube Screamer?
Guitar World's reviewer found that with Dirt engaged, the boost is conspicuously Tube Screamer-like in the Mid setting, which accentuates midrange frequencies and fattens up your tone. The Dirty Boost uses diode soft-clipping, while the Clean Boost leaves the signal unclipped.
Sources (15)
- Is Strymon's new Compadre the 'always on' pedal your signal chain is missing?, MusicRadar, 2020-04-28
- Compadre Compressor & Boost, Strymon, 2026-08-12
- Strymon Compadre Dual Voice Compressor And Boost, Delicious Audio, 2022-09-26
- Strymon Compadre officially released and it's a Dual Voice Compressor and Boost, gearnews.com, 2020-04-27
- Strymon Compadre review, Guitar World, 2020-11-19
- What types of boost are available on Compadre?, Strymon, 2021-07-21
- How does the Volume jack on Compadre work?, Strymon, 2021-07-21
- How to connect to Strymon Update, Strymon, 2023-02-01
- Compadre Support, Strymon, 2025-10-17
- How can I control my Strymon Pedal with MIDI?, Strymon, 2023-10-19
- What are the power supply requirements for Compadre?, Strymon, 2021-07-21
- Can I use Compadre with a Bass?, Strymon, 2021-07-21
- Strymon Compadre review, MusicRadar, 2020-08-17
- Strymon Compadre Dual Voice Compressor & Boost, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2020-06-07
- Strymon Compadre Dual-Voice Compressor and Boost Review, GuitarPlayer, 2022-02-21
