The Strymon Compadre Dual Voice Compressor & Boost is a compressor and boost in one enclosure, sitting at the front of a pedalboard where compression and a level push usually live. Reviewers have found it covers that front-of-board role well: as one put it, "this thing is a real one-stop shop for all your front-of-board (and more) needs"1.
The Compadre arrived shortly after Strymon discontinued the OB.1, the company's first ever pedal release, and it is seen as the successor that fills the gap the OB.1 left1. The earlier Strymon OB.1 Compressor & Clean Boost was likewise a compressor and boost combination.
The controls
The Compadre's front panel splits its work between the compressor voice and the boost voice2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Compression | Controls the amount of compression present2 |
| Dry | Blends in as much or as little of your dry signal as you need2 |
| Level | Adjusts the output level by -6dB to +6dB, with unity at noon2 |
| Boost | Gives about +14dB of boost power to add into your signal2 |
| Boost type switch | Selects Clean or Dirty boost, a small switch near the ins and outs on top2 |
The Dry knob is a blend control: it lets you add in as much or as little of your dry signal as you need alongside the compressed signal, which Pedal of the Day's reviewer called an excellent feature2.
Compression modes: Studio and Squeeze
The compressor offers two voicings2:
- Studio: smooth compression, like that found in vintage rack compressors
- Squeeze: harder compression, typical of classic guitar pedals
Boost EQ: Flat, Mid and Treble
The boost side has three tone-shaping modes that interact with the Boost control2:
- Flat: full range frequency response
- Mid: fattens the tone by pushing midrange frequencies
- Treble: tightens the bottom end by boosting mid to high frequencies
Alongside the EQ modes, the small switch selects the boost character itself, either Clean or Dirty2.
Expression and MIDI connections
Two jacks extend the Compadre beyond its front panel2:
- Volume jack: connect an expression pedal via TRS for full-time volume pedal functionality
- Fav/MIDI jack: remote selection of your Favorite functionalities, or connect the Compadre to your MIDI rig
The expression pedal connection is via TRS to the Volume jack, so an expression pedal wired for TRS is what the pedal expects2.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Compadre in June 2020, a few weeks after release, and summed it up this way:
"this thing is a real one-stop shop for all your front-of-board (and more) needs"
The same review described it as "a wonderful dual pedal that will fit perfectly at the front of your" board, and noted that despite the analog signal path, "You do still, however, get the digital functionality and programmability you've come to know and love with all your Strymon" pedals2.
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Questions
Is the Strymon Compadre fully analog?
The audio path is. Pedal of the Day's review notes that the Class A JFET input circuit and the VCA-based compression are 100% analog, with the signal never converted to or from digital. The digital side of the pedal handles functionality and programmability, such as the Favorite and MIDI features, rather than processing your guitar signal.
What is the difference between Studio and Squeeze modes on the Compadre?
Studio mode gives a smooth compression, described by Pedal of the Day as like that found in vintage rack compressors. Squeeze mode is harder compression, typical of classic guitar pedals. You choose between them with the compressor mode control, then set the amount with the Compression knob.
How much boost does the Compadre give?
The main Boost control gives about +14dB of boost that you can add into your signal, according to Pedal of the Day's review. The boost side also offers Clean or Dirty types, selected by a small switch, and three EQ voicings: Flat, Mid and Treble.
Can I connect an expression pedal to the Compadre?
Yes. You can connect an expression pedal via TRS to the Volume jack for full-time volume pedal functionality, so the Compadre can double as a volume pedal on your board.
Does the Compadre have MIDI?
The Fav/MIDI jack allows remote selection of your Favorite functionalities, or you can connect the Compadre to your MIDI rig. That gives the pedal programmability beyond what is on the front panel.
What does the Dry knob do on the Compadre?
The Dry knob lets you add in as much or as little of your dry, uncompressed signal as you need, blended with the compressed signal. Pedal of the Day called it an excellent feature, and it is a common way to keep attack and dynamics present while still getting compression.
Sources (2)
- Strymon Compadre officially released and it's a Dual Voice Compressor and Boost, gearnews.com, 2020-04-27
- Strymon Compadre Dual Voice Compressor & Boost, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2020-06-07
