Carl Martin Compressor/Limiter

Treshold, Compression, Responce and Gain.
4 control knobs, more than other famous compressor (Keeley, mxr).
You need a while to set for your need, but on the other hand you got great versatility.
The manual provided on CM website is an useful guide for tweaking.

I don't give 10 because I tried the Keeley and if you need to increase sustain with a compressor thath seems to be off Keeley is the best. But the Carl martin is good quite the same. Is more versatile because it makes the keeley-like work fine and also permits to squash the sound if you want.
This pedal changed my point of view about compressor. Time ago I believed compressor was an unuseful effect, that kills dynamics and sounds artificial.
Now is always on.
I use with Clapton Strat, Marshall jcm2000 and several pedals, first position in the chain (do not connect after the wah, otherwise it will compress the wah noise too) and I play mainly rock.
perfet for Gilmour tones.

Bought 4 months ago, everything fine til today.

Never needed, anyway customer support, contacted by mail for other reason, is kind and fast to answer.

I play for hobby but I gig three/four times a month.
It is always with me. Always on.
It really worth the money spent to buy.

Very easy to use once you sit yourself down and read the manual. Grasp the concepts of compression and limiting and you will find your sound in seconds.

Very transparent. You can clearly hear the differences when you go from bypass to high compression, etc. The knobs actually do something! I have mine set to compliment the sound of my amp. In other words, it adds to the flavor and makes it sound better, rather than change it. Adds great sustain and definitely adds sweetness.

It actually makes it easier to play fast scales because you need only lightly pick the strings to hear them. Of course, it may also bring out your mistakes. This goes for all compression units.

According to Carl Martin, it is true bypass. They said that the footswitch only turns on/off the gain and that compression is still applied with the switch off, but I found this to not be the case (it would defeat the purpose of calling it "bypass" mode).

Have used it for awhile now and has not broken.

Customer support always answers my emails.

If you only get ONE pedal for your guitar, get this one!! It really, really is a must-have.

I'm rewriting this review because: 1.) I'm using a new amp, and 2.) I've become more familiar with my gear. I play alternative-rock (same as before) but I'm now using a Mesa/Boogie F-30, rather than a Peavey Classic 50. I've used this compressor with my LP Studio and my Telecaster. Sounds great with both!

This pedal has more knobs than most guitar compressors, which in my book is an advantage as it gives the power to obtain a wide range of compression types from squish to subtle. However, it is harder to use than those other compressors. I actually wish they had provided seperate knobs for attack and release, not just a single knob as my fav guitar compression usually is found with fastish attack and slowish release. With one knob you dont really know how you are shaping the dynamic envelope.

Its the best guitar pedal I've had yet and I think its a keeper. Prior to this ive owned an Analogman Bicomprossor and a Boss comrpessor. ive also used behringer composer and a FMR RNC in my rig. I think I still prefer the rack compression sounds the most, but they are not as easily incorporated into a rig.
I found the analogman bicomp to be just too compressed. It dealt manic doses of compression even at the lowest setting and it really choked my tone. It was more of a comrpession effect than a subtle dynamic enhancement. hence I sold it.
The Carl Martin is able to squish heaps but you can also use it more subtely. Its not the best sound, and I still often prefer the off sound for its raspiness. Noentheless it is a useful sound I can kick in at times for more sustain, or for funky punchy riffing.
I have heard better compression sounds, but I think this is from rack units patched post microphone.
My mian gripe is with the lack of true bypass. I spent some time recording the patched in (but off) and patched out sounds and found a very subtle but important difference in tone. The pedal effects the tone slightly even when off which is only slight but its irritating and there is just that hint more growl and bite when the pedal is taken out of the rig.

Haven't had a problem yet, but my Carl Martin Delayla pedal has broken three times now. I'm concerned about that. BUt the Carl Martin distributor in Australia has been very good to me and has replaced it each time.

AS said, the distributor in australia (network entertainment) has been great so far.

I think its a keeper. Time will tell whether it becomes more a part of my sound or if I find something better.

The manual is online if you feel lost, good service.
I am used to studio comps so I felt quite familiar with this one.

Superb studio quality sounds, I like to have both kind of compressors, both those who colours you sound and does nothing but squishes and pops.
But I have a defenite need for a very quite and discrete compressor that actually does the job of compressing, I do not use it as an effect.
It is an integral part of my setup, it is always on when I am not using
my old Ross.

Had it for almost 3 years now.
It still sits there and does its job.

Had a few questions about some other stuff they make, polite swift answers.
They are cool in my book.

This is a industry standart compressor, fashions comes and goes, this one and my old Ross is all what I have left from a fleet of compressors that I used to have.
If you crave studio quality at the floor, get this one.
There maybe others with different features and such, but this one works everytime.
Plus it is extremely flexible and will not let you down, of course for those who picks and picks...etc etc there is no hope for such picky ones;)they always busy picking, I can concentrate on playing, highest praise for me.

Well it requires alittle understanding, but once you have gotten into it, it makes good sense.
There is an online description on their site.

I use with my Hiwatt DR103 1970 top with an org Hiwatt 4x12 cab + a Fender Concert(the drivechannel was modded for more gain and fatness)it is one of the new breeds.
Two strats, one Schecter strat from the 80's with 3 SD APS-1's, the other is a Frankenstrat with only a humbucker and one stack singlecoil, a hotstack and a JB.
Both in limiting and normal compressor mode it works silently.
I use it for compression mostly, switch it on and forgets about it, it lives in my rack and is simply on all the time.
I play hardrock and some country rock as a hired hand, plus some studio stuff.
It is one of the best floorunits I ever have used.

I have had mine for a year now, works perfect, never a problem.
Is considering buying another one for my extra setup.
Make that two more at the end of the day.

Asked CM about a few things, swift and polite reply, topnotch company.

I play various styles, it is required in my line of work.
So my demands are big, and it delivered bigtime on my expetations.
Love the 12v supply, lots of headroom in this one.
No cons, a slight learning curve but that is allright considering the cool options it gives you.
Very swift and quiet compressor, ads a nice open timbre to the sound, nothing annoying, it was like taking off a blanket from the speakers, and without any harshness added.
This is a real compressor, not just something that simply squishes and color your sound, it can do it all and then be set for a very natural sound unlike a few other units, nothing wrong in that, but the bonus is that it can become one with your sound was the selling point for me.
It is worth its money.

I gave it a 9 because I've had my Dyna Comp since I bought it new in the early 70's. The Martin is not in the same league with the DC or the other way around. This is like having a studio grade comp on your pedal board.

Guitars (many) Amps (Kendricks and Rivera's)Signal chain-> Carl Martin->Dyna Comp->Line 6 Dist->Aramat Green Machine->Line 6 Modulator->Boss Chorus->Tech 21->Super Hard On->Rivera TBR 1M-> two 2x12 ADA boxes with green backs. I've come real close to nailing my DC's sound without the noise. The DC's been on since 1978 I didn't realize how noisy it was but I still love it. I love the Orange Squeezer too but this CM is the Beezz Kneezz's. You can use it as a clean boost too which allowed me to get my Buff Fuzz (which is really big) off for a while. The CM is dead on quiet!

Pots are the only thing I would question. But it seems perty sturdy!
It's clean, it rocks, and power is built in! What an excellent idea.

Bought this because I bought a VTP Orange Squeezer 6 months ago that has never shipped. Got the Carl Martin in 5 days! Written material was good, web site helps too.

This is like having three different pedals. You turn a knob and something actuially happens without the grit and noise associated with some comps..

You're going to need some help with this one. Their webpage has an excellent online manual, and it's a piece of cake after that.

Wow, this is the business! Very transparent sound, doesn't squash your tone and extremely quiet. I play with this permanently on, just fattening up my sound. Great pedal! Did I mention it doesn't squash your tone?

Bought it second hand, pedal is about three years old. No problem's so far...

Haven't dealt with Carl Martin directly, but through Andy McGibbon's guitar world in South Africa - great people.

Not a cheap pedal, but it sounds so damn good. Never really thought I would use a compressor in either of my rigs, let alone use one ALL THE TIME. It just thickens my tone and adds extra hang time to my bends, which I love. Works equally well with my PRS custom 22 and my Larrivee OMV5E. Hands down the best sounding compressor pedal available. If it were lost or stolen I would certainly buy another, and quickly!

Actually its rather easy to use when you get the hold of it. There are a few knots, so you have to mingle around for a while - but you will get the idear of how this unit works quite quickly.

I bought this one because i needed something to beef up the sound of my overdrive pedal (for solos and such). I think this is the best compressor pedal out there, but I found it hard to get the sound I was looking for. I think I'm juct not much of a "compression man" - I play blues and like the natural warmth of my tone. !!!!However!!!! - this unit works GREAT as booster set before the overdrive unit in the effects chain. I use it as a volume boost with NO compression. Believe me - this unit doesn't colour your tone at all! It just gives me more of what my overdrive pedal already has to offer - just what I was looking for. I take away ALL compression and turn the wolume to 1 o'clock - try it yourself - it really gets your tone singing!!

works for me - never had a problem - however the knots seem a bit exposed

never dealt with them

The best BOOSTER i have EVER had - just what I was looking for - I believe this one will stay in my setup for ever

EASY TO USE

USED FOR GUITAR.QUIETEST COMPRESSOR I EVER HEARD IN A STOMP BOX.GREAT FOR THAT COMPRESSED SOUND IN ANOTHER BRICK INE WALL.A MUST FOR PINK FLOYD.I ALSO HAVE A DYNA COMP AND A BOSS CS-2 THIS BLOWS THEM AWAY

NEVER NEEDED A BACKUP. IVE BEEN GIGGING IS STEADILY FOR PAST 16 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEM

COMPANY FAST TO ANSWER E-MAILS AND QUITE HELPFULL

CLASSIC ROCK AND BLUES HEAVY CLAPTON AND FLOYD

Easy. Manual is online.

May take some tweaking to find a sound you prefer, though almost any setting is nice.

Great, no problems. On extreme gain it picks up more noise but I use a noise suppressor and get all the sustain without any noise.

Nice construction.

Very good. Answered emails promptly.

I play alt-rock with a bluesy edge. It helps give me a balanced tone. I never had problems with sustain as my LP and Peavey crank out smooth, singing tones already, though this helps balance it all out and lets pull-offs and trills ring out perfectly.