The Supercool Pedals Spritz! Saturator is a compressor pedal with a drive circuit bolted on. It takes the OTA-based compression design Supercool used in the original Spritz! Compressor and adds a single JFET transistor stage after the compression, which the maker describes as a "tube simulator" that delivers "a wide range of grit from natural amp-like breakup and harmonically-enhanced attack, all the way to searing-hot tube amp and overdrive tones"1. In practice that means one compact box can do clean, even dynamics, or push the compressed signal into breakup and overdrive.
The pedal launched on May 1, 2026 at a street price of $179 USD1, and is available worldwide through the maker's site and select independent retailers1.
A compressor with a JFET tube simulation circuit
The compression side of the pedal is inspired by what Pedal of the Day calls "cult-classic OTA-based compression circuits," naming the Ross Compressor and MXR Dyna Comp as the reference points3. OTA (operational transconductance amplifier) compressors like those use a single chip to sense and control the signal's level, and that family of circuits is the foundation of most classic guitar compressors.
What sets the Saturator apart is the second stage. Premier Guitar's review describes "the added 'tube simulation' feature, a simple JFET circuit activated by a small button perched atop the pedal's face"4. A JFET (junction gate field-effect transistor) is a transistor type whose clipping behavior resembles the soft, gradual breakup of an output tube, which is why Supercool chose it for the drive stage. Pedal of the Day notes the "Tube" button "adds a JFET boost circuit (chosen for its tubelike breakup) post-compression, allowing you to achieve a wide range of grit from lightly tamed sizzle to fully overdriven tube amp tones"3. Because the drive sits after the compressor, the grit is applied to an already smoothed signal rather than being squashed by the compressor afterward.
The result, in the maker's words, is "a wonderfully clean and easy-to-dial-in compressor that delivers crisp and juicy saturation with improved bass response"1.
The controls
The Saturator expands from the original Spritz's mini format to a compact format with four controls and a switchable JFET tube emulator2. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson lists them as "CORE / COMP, Sustain, Volume, a green JFET TUBE EMULATOR On button, and a light-up Mini Master Volume Knob"2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| SUSTAIN | Sets the amount of compression; controls threshold and release simultaneously, from a splash of saturation to squeezed dynamics, sharp attack and increased sustain13 |
| LEVEL | Sets the output volume of the compressed signal1 |
| TUBE SIMULATION button | Engages the JFET drive circuit, a small button on top of the pedal's face14 |
| TUBE SIMULATION knob | A mini knob between the two main knobs that adjusts the amount of drive; it illuminates when the circuit is engaged4 |
The Sustain control is the heart of the pedal. Pedal of the Day explains that it "is effectively controlling the threshold and release amount of the compression effect simultaneously," so one knob moves you from light saturation to heavily squeezed dynamics with sharp attack and long sustain3. The tube simulation mini knob sits "between the two big guns," as Premier Guitar puts it, and lights up whenever the JFET circuit is switched in4.
Karlsson's overall take on the control scheme: "The new pedal is both handsome and really potent - with still a very simple control topology. A fantastic stacking option and great for stand-alone duties overall"2.
How it differs from the original Spritz compressor
Guitar Pedal X frames the Saturator as the evolution of the compressor: "SuperCool evolves the one-knob OTA Spritz! Compressor into the Spritz! Saturator," expanding "from Mini to Compact Format with four controls and a switchable JFET Tube Emulator"2. Where the original Spritz kept compression to a single control, the Saturator gives the player four controls plus the switchable tube emulation circuit, and when that circuit is engaged its small control knob is illuminated2.
The Saturator is also the third Supercool pedal with artwork inspired by an Italian beverage, following the Caffeine Boost and the original Spritz4.
On bass
Premier Guitar's reviewer tested it on both instruments and came down clearly on one side:
"I liked the Spritz! Saturator on guitar, but I loved it on bass."
The reviewer found the saturator's full-frequency boost with a gentle midrange peak brought presence, grit and a bouncy low end to bass4. For bass players weighing a compressor, that verdict makes it worth a look alongside dedicated bass pedals.
Videos
Supercool Pedals
Pedal of the Day and Supercool Pedals
B's Music Shop
Questions
Is the Supercool Spritz! Saturator true bypass?
Yes. The pedal uses true bypass switching, so with the effect disengaged your signal passes through without the circuit coloring it. It runs on a standard 9V center negative power supply.
Who designed the Supercool Spritz! Saturator?
The pedal was designed by Jamie Muir of Supercool Pedals. Premier Guitar describes him as the builder who overhauled the original Spritz compressor design and released the Spritz! Saturator as its expanded successor.
What power supply does the Spritz! Saturator need?
It needs a standard 9V DC center negative power supply, the same type most pedalboards already use. No battery or special voltage requirement is mentioned in the announcement.
Does the Spritz! Saturator work on bass?
Yes, and reviewers found it especially strong there. Premier Guitar's reviewer liked it on guitar but loved it on bass, where the saturation's full-frequency boost with a gentle midrange peak brought presence, grit and bounce to the low end.
How is the Saturator different from the original Spritz compressor?
The original Spritz was a one-knob mini compressor. The Saturator expands it to a compact format with four controls, adding a Level knob and a switchable JFET tube emulator stage that can push the compressed signal into breakup and overdrive.
Where is the Spritz! Saturator made?
It is designed and assembled in Canada by Supercool Pedals. It ships worldwide through the maker's own site and is also stocked by select independent retailers.
Sources (4)
- Supercool Pedals releases the “SPRITZ! Saturator”, Premier Guitar, 2026-05-01
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-05-01
- Supercool Pedals SPRITZ! Saturator Compressor Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2026-05-01
- Supercool Pedals Spritz! Saturator Review, Premier Guitar, 2026-09-13
