Strymon
Strymon Compadre
Best dual-function dynamics tool for professional guitarists and bassists.
Shape your tone with the Strymon Compadre, a dual-voice analog compressor and boost pedal. It offers studio-grade dynamic control with two distinct compression modes: the transparent 'Studio' mode and the sustain-rich 'Squeeze' mode. An independent analog boost provides clean or dirty clipping options with selectable EQ. Featuring a Class A JFET input for superior touch sensitivity and headroom, it also includes parallel compression blending to preserve natural attack. Full MIDI programmability allows for extensive preset recall and remote control, making it an indispensable tool for guitarists and bassists.
$299.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
11
/ 81
#11 in Noise Gates & Compressors
Price vs Category Average
-76%
Below average
Dimensions
4.542.4
/ ” deep x ” wide x ” tall
Who it's for
- Recording guitarists seeking pristine, noise-free dynamic control
- Tone chasers needing versatile clean or harmonically rich boosts
- Modern players managing complex, MIDI-integrated pedalboard rigs
Who should skip it
- Live performers requiring instant, footswitch-accessible boost mode changes
- Budget-conscious musicians preferring separate, more affordable effect units
- Minimalists needing to save space on crowded pedalboards
Performance breakdown
Dynamic Range
Studio-grade compression that maintains exceptional clarity across all playing styles.
Boost Versatility
Clean and dirty clipping modes offer immense flexibility for lead tones.
Signal Integrity
Class A JFET input preserves the natural character of your instrument.
Integration Capability
Full MIDI programmability makes this a powerhouse for complex pedalboard rigs.
Parallel Blending
Dry signal mixing ensures your pick attack remains punchy and defined.
Build Robustness
Anodized aluminum chassis provides professional durability for heavy touring schedules.
Key Specs
Dimensions
4.5” deep x 4” wide x 2.4” tall
Input
High impedance ultra low-noise discrete Class A JFET preamp
Output
Low impedance mono output with VCA for volume control
Bypass Options
Selectable True Bypass (relay switching) or Buffered Bypass
Power Requirement
9V DC center-negative, minimum 150mA
Boost Range
Approximately 14dB maximum clean boost (flat setting)
Chassis Material
Strong and lightweight anodized dark red aluminum
Compressor Signal/Noise Ratio
109 dB typical
Features
- Two distinct analog compression voicings
- Independent clean/dirty analog boost
- Selectable EQ for boost
- Parallel compression blending
- Class A JFET input circuit
- Full MIDI control and 300 presets
- Favorite setting recall
- Analog audio signal processing
What customers say
The Compadre is celebrated for its outstanding studio quality sound, featuring a pristine compressor and a versatile boost. Players find its intuitive controls allow for quick professional tone shaping. Despite its premium price, the consensus highlights exceptional build quality and sonic performance, deeming it a worthwhile investment and a reliable pedalboard foundation. This unit offers excellent value for its superior sound and dependable construction.
Know before you buy
The 'Studio' mode offers a transparent, subtle compression ideal for evening out your dynamics while maintaining your natural tone. 'Squeeze' provides a more aggressive, sustain-heavy compression that is perfect for country chicken-pickin' or adding length to lead notes.
Yes, the Compadre features two independent circuits. You can engage the compressor and the boost separately or use them together to push your amplifier into natural overdrive.
It does. The pedal includes a dry blend control, allowing you to mix your uncompressed signal with the compressed signal. This parallel compression technique ensures your pick attack remains punchy and articulate even when using heavy compression settings.
Absolutely. The high-headroom Class A JFET input circuit is designed to handle the wide frequency range and output levels of both electric guitars and bass guitars without clipping or signal degradation.
The Compadre is fully MIDI-capable, allowing you to recall up to 300 presets via an external MIDI controller. This makes it an excellent choice for complex pedalboard setups where you need to switch between specific compression and boost settings instantly.
Yes, you can select between True Bypass, which uses relay switching for a completely clean signal path, or Buffered Bypass, which helps maintain signal integrity over long cable runs.
Still have a question?
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