Keeley Compressor Plus Pedal, Black (KCompPlus)

Keeley's compressor pedals have been an industry favorite for many years, and the Compressor Plus is a compact and relatively affordable example of why. Keeley certainly didn't "invent" the compressor, and I've used pedals like the BOSS CS-3, MXR Dyna Comp, and Ross Compressor that have done the job well for several decades. However, this particular pedal from Keeley merges the best attributes of all of those pedals into a single, easy-to-use box.I find that the BLEND control is a important addition that you see in more and more compressors nowadays. (Wampler's excellent Ego Compressor also features this control). Basically, it's a "mix" control so that you blend in and amount of dry signal along with the compressed signal. This is important because in many cases, you want the note sustain and volume limiting qualities of a compressor, but don't want to lose that initial "punch" of the note. The BLEND knob allows you to adjust for both, and there's a toggle switch that further adjusts for the difference in attack between single-coil and humbucker pickups. (Coincidentally, my Reverend guitar features P-90's and I found that those worked better on the humbucker setting, despite them being technically a variant of a single coil pickup).The Compressor Plus is capable of adding tons of rich sustain, similar to that first time I plugged into a BOSS CS-3 and was amazed that an electric guitar could sound like that! It also can do the "chicken picking", "squished" type of compression prevalent in country or other music with quick, clean note passes. Thanks to the interplay between BLEND, LEVEL, and SUSTAIN, it's possible to also make it quite transparent for a more subtle effect.A few notes/caveats... The TONE knob works well, but it is not really meant to be an "EQ shaper" for your overall tone. It is more subtle than that, and basically just enhances or subdues the upper end dynamics through compression.Also, this pedal (as with many compressors) is susceptible to noise issues if you have problems with your power supply. I initially plugged it in with a separate power supply than my pedalboard. I must have been getting some type of ground loop or something because it resulted in terrible noise to the point of being virtually unusable. However, when I attached it to my board and used the same isolated power supply as the other pedals (Voodoo Labs Pedal Power Mini x4), the noise was almost completely gone. Just something to be aware of if you encounter that issue.

Do the research and try different types of compressors until you find your own sound. This is the one I bought and have no regrets. Great sound and very easy to dial it in. Just an FYI, I use this is in front of the distortion pedals (Rat V2, BD-2 etc).

Excellent!!! Love the blend knob, which allows you to dial in a perfect guitar tone.

Magnificent way to very simply polish your tone. Set knobs to recommended 'always on' positions, teak the blend a bit more to taste, and forget it. Enjoy.

This is a good compressor, that's it. It does what it says it can do. The plus is for the blending knob I guess, that's one of the few things you don't get on most compressors. I put it right at the front of the chain and it gives me the EQ and slight boost I need. I play classic hard rock in my current band and it tightens up the sound and adds a bit of bottom end so I use the tone to equalize that. It is a solid, well built product and fits great on my board. Great price too. Thank you Robert Keeley!

I tried a whole bunch of compressor pedals, and this is the best. Perfectly dialed in for guitar frequency and tone. Don't bother with any others - this is the one you want.

Excellent Pedal, Great Price, Well Packaged, Arrived Ahead Of Time!Could Not Be Happier 😊

Works great with humbuckers or single coils and is perfect for country twang or with a Rickenbacker 12 string. I have one on both of my pedalboards.