Analog Man SSComp

Analogman's clone of the Way Huge Saffron Squeezer compressor is fairly easy to use, assuming your ear is attuned to guitar-dedicated compression. Two knobs, Sustain and Volume, with an internal trimpot which adjusts the circuit's response to signal "attack." (Were this control available without having to open up the box, it rate a "10.")

The SSComp also has an LED and adapter jack (which I haven't tried, as I run the very few pedals I gig off batteries).

I've gigged an original Saffron Squeezer for about 7 years now (bought it new while Way Huge was still in business), and it's my very favorite pedal of its type: a close cousin of the Ross compressor, but with better dynamics and less treble frequency loss at moderate settings (which is to say, you can actually use it with humbuckers without killing dynamics). It's more open and injects less noise than any script-logo DynaComp I've heard, which makes it ideal for the kinds of country and soul music which was originally cut to tape with clean and slightly compressed Teles and Strats. It's also the only pedal compressor I'd trust to handle recording chores on a 12-string, again because of the superior treble handing. Anyway, that box has since skyrocketed in value, so I decided to lay out for the Analogman clone.

The short version: this IS the Way Huge circuit in a different housing, though I did have to make a slight adjustment to the attack trimpot to make it sound identical to the Way Huge. Perfect- I especially like a touch of compression to accentuate the attack on clean fingerpicked parts, and the only other instrument level compressors I like as much in front of an amp are the FRM Audio RNC and the Joemeek Pro Channel, both half-rack boxes which require wall wart power. Each is a different flavor, and neither is more convenient that the Saffron circuit.

I've used the SSComp (in the small housing, slightly longer and deeper than the classic MXR boxes) with my old brown Tremolux, a reissue AC/30 and a 60w Boogie MkII, plugging in a couple of Teles, a RI Les Paul Junior and an old LP Custom with Antiquities. All good.

I've only had it out for one gig but I'm not expecting any problems, and should anything go wrong, I'd expect Mike Piera to stand behind his products.

Solid. I told Mike what I needed and he came across with the goods. <www.analogman.com> is the address.

I've used the Way Huge version of this circuit for rock & roll originals with roots in classic soul and country, as well as clean sounds in an electric Miles/ Weather Report context. It's not a do-all box and it won't make you sound like anyone else, in fact I tend to think of compression as the anti-clone effect because it brings out the nuances in individual picking technique. It can also help to lift a guitar signal out of a crowded stage mix for solos without provoking rearguard actions from soundmen, and for that alone it's worth having in the setup.

Mike's version is sturdy, compact and sounds right. I'm really glad he's made this version available, and recommend it highly to anyone who's afraid that the old DynaComp or Ross is going to die or disappear at the next gig.