Customer Reviews

Danelectro DJ-9 Surf & Turf Compressor Mini Effects Pedal

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If you know how compressors works, you can see that it has two knobs: "Level", which will determine the signal output, either louder for boost, equal for only compression, or quieter for whatever reason. "Sensitivity" on a compressor means it will automatically compress the peak signals and boost the quieter signals - the more sensitive, the greater the compression.

This pedal works great for simply that function: transparent compression. Placed right after the instrument and before other effects, it will keep your peaks from blowing or distorting your sound, and it will keep your signal troughs louder so that you don't have to up the volume. The final product is an even, "big" sound, great for both live and recording.

For specific uses like extra sustain or chicken picken, use another compressor that has specific sustain, threshold and attack settings so you can really adjust your sounds.

I like these food series pedals. Many of them are good working pieces that do their job, but it's still hit or miss. This is a MISS. Did an OK job at compressing, but for a few weeks during rehearsals we always wondered where the hell we were picking up the radio station that was coming through our sound system. Then one day I forgot to turn it on, and noticed that as soon as I did, the radio kicked in again. EMBARASSING. I ditched this pedal quick and got a real one.

For electric guitar, I prefer the squashed sound, so I use a modded Boss CS-3 for that. The Danelectro Surf and Turf is a much more transparent compressor, though, and I use it mostly for acoustic. It is one of those pedals that you don't realize is on until you turn it off. And for that purpose, this pedal does the job admirably.

My problem with Danelectro pedals is the housing. Behringer -- another maker of cheap pedals -- also has plastic albeit sturdy enclosures that are practical, and much more pleasing to the eye. I don't know of anyone who likes Danelectro's 50s design (which doesn't even make sense for some of their effects, such as their distortion pedals. And I can't imagine that anyone enjoys the tiny knobs.

For the sound and price, I highly recommend it if you're looking for transparent compression. For the housing/design, I absolutely do not recommend it for frequent live gigs unless you leave it on the whole time.

These pedals are tiny, which is cool... I guess. The problem comes as soon as you try to use them at any kind of volume that competes with drums in a real band. At that point, you will likely realize as one of my bands' guitar players did that these pedals generate a lot of noise, and aren't too professional sounding. They are also quite flimsy; if you jumped on one, it would crack the case. They're ok for jamming in your bedroom at that kinda volume, but I would really steer clear of these for any band/studio work.