tc electronic HyperGravity Compressor

The only compressor that I have found worthwhile using for the last 4 years or so is the Mad Professor Forest Green Compressor. This is an exceptionally good hand built analogue device with an opto-isolator inside. It is very expensive! TC Electronic appear to take the digital approach to their pedals (otherwise you couldn't have TonePrint) and I am well impressed with their Flashback X4, particularly the low noise of the digital implementation. The price of the Hypergravity compressor is less than half the analogue device. The digital technology gives the possibility of exceptionally wide (even extreme) control of the sound. With ultra low noise, this should be capable of incredible sustain (like a wall of stacks, but at bedroom level). Not my normal setting, but I'd like to have the option. The option of a personalised TonePrint will take me some time to explore, but the standard range of control is really impressive. The Spectra position gave an unexpected treble cut (particularly compared to the Forest Green with tone set at 12 o'clock). The Vintage position was (to my surprise) much better, but still lost a little top. The default TonePrint sample was excellent to my ears - plenty of clarity and cut with masses of compression or sustain depending on the position of the rotary controls. There is no trace of noise from this pedal (of course it will boost noise from other pedals before it in the signal path). I can only say it's "Studio quality" and depending on if you're prepared to spend some time customising your own TonePrint it is possible to get exactly what you want out of it. This really is 21st century electronics! (Less than £100 as well!).

I use this compressor on my electric (Gretsch), acoustic (Larrivee), and bass (Ibanez) guitar. It's transparent, and performs perfect on any use and gender. It doesn't colorize the sound, so some musicians may find this useless but this is is the point for me: I want a compressor, not a pedal that will change my sound. On electric I use it to tight the sound and give all notes over the fingerboard the same volume and feeling, on bass to smooth out the peaks, and on acoustic to keep the sound on the same level when strumming. You can fine-tune the settings (i.e. the frequency of the 3 bands that the compressor will be apply) through the toneprint editor. The ability to mix the dry and compressed signal is perfect for my acoustic guitar.

Pros: Sound quality, build quality, toneprint editor, price.

Cons: I need more toneprint slots to use it on different instruments, some lag on response when you turn the knobs but this is not a dealbraker.

Definitely recommended.