Customer Reviews

MXR Super Comp Pedal

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been playing guitar on and off for over 20 years and I have used many effects pedals and multi effect modules and it's funny, but the ones that are the simplest to use and have the simplest setups are the ones that I have come to call the best. That is what I would call the MXR Super Comp. It has basic controls that allow the user to control the level of compression, the attack attenuation, and the level of the attenuated and compressed signal output. What else do you need on a compressor/sustainer? The switch is hardwired bypass and the case is metal so that you can "stomp on it". The compression set high is good for the clean to slightly overdriven "clicky" sound that is heard on most electric guitar country music. The effect is also good for low compression and high gain conditions when sustain is the desired effect. It is one of the best compressor effects that I have used. That is why I took the time to write this review. I feel that the MXR Super Comp is the best bang for the buck, so get one and see!

This compression pedal is very well made and does what it's supposed to do: compress and focus your guitar signal so it cuts through the mix. Compression is supposed to push your signal more toward the middle of the sound spectrum, but the effect is pretty subtle, really. According to an article I read, the compression pedal should be the first one in your chain. I didn't have it set up that way at first, but when I reconfigured my pedal board like that, the guitar signal really came into focus no matter what other pedals I was using. A few reviewers have stated that this pedal is noisy. I don't find that all. There's a little hiss if you max the output on the pedal, but I only keep it at about 60-70% and there's no problem. The hum from my Fender amp on a good day is louder.

This compressor does the job well, very easy to control and very well build.
It ads gain when moving the attack knob above 12 and that's why it has only 3 stars.
In any other setting it sounds very well though. Reacts very well to my other pedals on the board.
The sustain is very good too.

Has three knobs, I'll call them volume, squashing and grabbing. The attack knob grabs your signal. You can have it grab the signal early or late. Then the sensitivity compresses your sound, essentially making the quiet notes louder, and the louder notes quieter. Depending on how sensitive you make it, it makes your signal smoother and thicker with more perceived sustain. And then there's volume, you all know what that means right? For my use, rock, country, punk, blues and jazz, this is all I need. Sure it adds a little hiss, but if you do some research you'll understand why this is expected. As compressor pedals go, this one is pretty quiet, and I perceive no added distortion. Thumbs up MXR, you did a good job.

Let me note, that this is a subtle effect, but that's the way compression is. If your looking for something less subtle pick a different pedal.

This is definitely an improvement over the DynaComp. It has less noise for sure. The "Attack" knob really is only subtle for my type of playing. I say spend the few extra dollars and get this pedal instead of the DynaComp.

I grew up on MXR stuff in the 70's, it was all cutting edge back in the day. Now...notso happy with this device. I have an excellent understanding of signal processing and and years of experience with a Dyna Comp; the Super Comp was a big disappointment. My hope was that the attack control would be a useful add-on to the Dyna Comp functionality. Not quite so. The Super Comp is quite challenging to get dialed in (I read several reviews and was aware of this from the start). This said, the Super Comp does not deliver any of the mojo I was accustomed to with the Dyna; it seems to suck out a lot of tone and life from the signal (even understanding it's designed to reduce dynamics). My guess is that the compression threshold and ratio parameters combined into the one Sensitivity control are far different than those of the original Dyna. My absolute worst complaint is the lack of headroom...my Strat (w/only mild pups) will easily overdrive this thing (w/new battery) when cranked open, it distorts which is useless when going for the "squishy clean" type of sound. Maybe oh maybe I can conjure up some appreciation for this thing IF I spend MANY more hours tweaking but... Summed up: Newer is NOT better in this case. I would take a vintage Dyna over this thing any day, even without the attack control. I'm guessing somebody else makes something significantly better within the same price range. The actual purchase transaction was painless and professional.

I was somewhat disappointed after using this pedal for a few days, in that the effect produced was minimal unless turned to the maximum position, at which point an undesired amount of distortion was introduced.

I dont have lots of experience with compression, but I am shocked at how much noise this pedal adds to my signal. It seems to be damaged, but the noise increases as I increase output level or sensitivity--which leads me to believe its normal. While I love the effect---As it is (noisy), I am only using it before an envelope filter for more gain/sustain! The envelope filter also cuts the static/noise out of the line. But this is far from the pedals' design. Is this much static/noise common with compression, should be the opposite no? First time Ive noticed it.

After some time learning I now use this pedal alot more. It is still VERY noisy when there is no signal being processed. But compression is truly necessary for a professional sound and certain styles. I am about to recieve a smartgate noise reduction pedal so maybe that will help. More expensive compression systems/pedals apparently do not have the noise of this one...but they are pricey. Experience tells me it is usually a better value to save up and get the reAL DEAL--but ONLY AFTER LEARNING WHAT THE REAL DEAL IS! bEGINNERS SHOULD SPEND SOME TIME DETERMINING IF THEY LIKE/NEED THE STUFF, AND GAIN EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE BEST STUFF IN THE MARKET THAT ONLY tiME ALLOWS (SOORY FOR CAPS!)

Carl Martin brand compression seems to be highly recommended for a step up in quality. I would be interested in comparing the Dyna Comp and vintage Dyna with this.