The TC Electronic HyperGravity Mini Compressor is an ultra-compact compressor pedal that packs the company's multiband compression into a mini enclosure. Announced in April 2017, it is a shrunken version of the full-size HyperGravity, which TC Electronic launched in 2015 as part of its TonePrint pedal line12. TC positioned the Mini as "the worlds smallest multi-band compressor," built on the same MD3 algorithm as its bigger sibling1.
Where a typical one-knob compressor squeezes the whole signal at once, a multiband design splits the compression work across frequency bands, the approach TC Electronic drew from its studio processing. Gearnews described the Mini as carrying "the same features and 'studio quality' multi-band compression of its older sibling" in a smaller box3. For a player, that means evened-out volume and added sustain without the whole guitar being flattened the same way at once.
A multiband compressor in a mini pedal
The Mini arrived alongside the Mimiq Mini Doubler in TC Electronic's compact pedal line. Premier Guitar's announcement called it a "studio-quality multi-band compressor" in an "ultra-compact design"1. MusicRadar had earlier spotted a HyperGravity Compressor Mini on TC's pedalboard in a promo video, ahead of the official unveiling5.
The full-size HyperGravity set the stage two years earlier. At its 2015 launch TC Electronic described it as "the latest addition to their ingenious line of TonePrint pedals," with an estimated price of $129.99 US2. Guitar Interactive reported the pedal's core spec at launch: multiband compression, TonePrint support and true bypass6.
The controls: Attack, Sustain and Level
The Mini keeps the control set down to three knobs. Gearnews reported that "the simple control layout includes only Attack, Sustain and Level controls, which should let you dial in your sound" easily3.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Attack | Shapes how the compression engages, from fast to open and airy |
| Sustain | Sets the amount of compression and sustain applied |
| Level | Sets the output volume when the pedal is engaged |
The Attack and Level descriptions come from Pedal of the Day's review of the full-size HyperGravity, whose knobs work the same way: "Attack gives the compression its depth, from super-fast to open and airy," while "Level sets the output volume when the [HyperGravity] is engaged," usable either to match your regular volume or as a solo boost7.
TonePrint
TonePrint is TC Electronic's system for loading a pedal with alternative versions of its effect. The Mini is TonePrint enabled1, and Gearnews noted that "the pedal can also be expanded upon with its Tone Print capability, which allows you to download different compressor types" and load them onto the pedal3.
On the full-size HyperGravity, MusicRadar's Guitarist reviewer called TonePrint "the jewel in the crown," where "you can load the pedal with compression programmed by TC, one of i[ts roster guitarists]" or by yourself8. In a 2024 four-knob compressor comparison, Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson noted the HyperGravity was "the only one with a Preset essentially - courtesy of TCE's TonePrint technology" among the pedals he compared9.
How it differs from the full-size HyperGravity
The Mini is a miniature version of the HyperGravity with the same multiband compression and TonePrint capability3. The difference is the control surface. The full-size pedal carries Sustain, Level, Attack and Blend knobs plus a mode switch with Spectra, TonePrint and Vintage positions9. Pedal of the Day described that switch as letting you "select from even more transparent to vintage sound, or select the now-classic TonePrint" mode7. The Mini drops the Blend knob and the mode switch, leaving the three core controls.
If you want to blend compressed and dry signal, or switch between vintage and transparent compression voicings on the pedal itself, the full-size HyperGravity has those controls and the Mini does not. TonePrint can still load different compressor types onto the Mini3.
Price and availability
The Mini was announced at $99 US / €99 EU, with worldwide availability from May 20171. Gearnews listed the European price as an RRP of EUR 993. The full-size HyperGravity launched at an estimated $129.99 US in 20152, and a later Premier Guitar quick-hit review listed it at a $129 street price2.
Videos
TC Electronic
Jordan Coley
Questions
What is TonePrint on the TC Electronic HyperGravity Mini?
TonePrint is TC Electronic's system for loading a pedal with custom versions of its effect. On the HyperGravity Mini it lets you download different compressor types and load them onto the pedal, including compression programmed by TC or by roster guitarists, or tones you create yourself38. It effectively gives the pedal presets, which Guitar Pedal X noted was unique among the four-knob compressors it compared9.
Is the HyperGravity Mini a multiband compressor?
Yes. TC Electronic described it as the world's smallest multiband compressor, built around the company's MD3 algorithm1. Rather than compressing the whole signal at once, it splits the work across bands, the approach TC used in its studio processors.
Is the TC Electronic HyperGravity Mini true bypass?
Yes. Gearnews reported that "the pedal is also true-bypass, and so won't muck up your tone when not in use"3.
What is the difference between the HyperGravity and the HyperGravity Mini?
The Mini is an ultra-compact version of the full-size HyperGravity with the same multiband compression and TonePrint capability3. The full-size pedal adds a Blend knob and a mode switch with Spectra, TonePrint and Vintage positions9, while the Mini keeps only Attack, Sustain and Level3.
How much does the HyperGravity Mini cost?
At announcement in April 2017 it was priced at $99 US / €99 EU, with worldwide availability from May 20171. The full-size HyperGravity carried an estimated $129.99 US price at its 2015 launch2.
Sources (9)
- TC Electronic Launches HyperGravity & Mimiq Mini, Premier Guitar, 2017-04-28
- TC Electronic Announces the HyperGravity Compressor, Premier Guitar, 2015-09-22
- TC Electronics debuts Hypergravity Mini Compressor and Mimic Mini Doubler pedals, gearnews.com, 2017-04-28
- HYPERGRAVITY COMPRESSOR, TC Electronic
- TC Electronic debuts “the world's smallest realistic guitar doubling pedal”, the Mimiq Mini Doubler, MusicRadar, 2017-04-28
- TC Electronic Introduces HyperGravity Compressor, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-09-23
- TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor, Pedal of the Day, 2016-01-11
- TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor review, MusicRadar, 2015-11-23
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-09-04
