Demeter COMP-1 Compulator

Analogue pedal. Two knobs...how simple can you get.

No need for a manual although a slightly badly worded & incorrect grammar info sheet comes in the box.

Mainly using it with a MIJ 1969 Fender Stratocaster and a variety of valve amps. Very quiet in use on all settings for a compressor which you would normally expect to have some noise.

This is an amazing pedal. Other reviewers have said it makes them want to play more clean sounds and I agree. When you kick in the effect there's added warmth, clarity and just natural sparkle and guitar tone...magic dust if you will. Not digital sounding harsh high frequencies but a lovely full range sound. It's like I'd been playing with a thick blanket in front of my cab for years then suddenly someone kicking it away. I don't want to switch it off.

Also works wonders on bass and Wurlitzer EP200A. This pedal replaces the MXR dynacomp as the new standard in pedal compressors.

Great build quality, good chunky, weighty pedal MXR box size but better quality metal casing.

Not had to deal with them but they are an independent firm with great principles so I can forsee no problems there.

Normally a compressor isn't the 1st pedal on a list of FX, but this is almost my most favourite pedal ever. Amazing sound...oh and it has a blue LED :-) which is sweet.

Analogue pedal. Two knobs...how simple can you get.

No need for a manual although a slightly badly worded & incorrect grammar info sheet comes in the box.

Mainly using it with a MIJ 1969 Fender Stratocaster and a variety of valve amps. Very quiet in use on all settings for a compressor which you would normally expect to have some noise.

This is an amazing pedal. Other reviewers have said it makes them want to play more clean sounds and I agree. When you kick in the effect there's added warmth, clarity and just natural sparkle and guitar tone...magic dust if you will. Not digital sounding harsh high frequencies but a lovely full range sound. It's like I'd been playing with a thick blanket in front of my cab for years then suddenly someone kicking it away. I don't want to switch it off.

Also works wonders on bass and Wurlitzer EP200A. This pedal replaces the MXR dynacomp as the new standard in pedal compressors.

Great build quality, good chunky, weighty pedal MXR box size but better quality metal casing.

Not had to deal with them but they are an independent firm with great principles so I can forsee no problems there.

Normally a compressor isn't the 1st pedal on a list of FX, but this is almost my most favourite pedal ever. Amazing sound...oh and it has a blue LED :-) which is sweet.

This compressor is the easiest one I've ever used. Simply turn up the compression control until it doers what you want. Then adjust the volume. Doesn't get any easier to dial in excellent sounding compression.

I also have a Carl Martin compressor which is just way too complicated to use easily and consistently. Demeter did it right by simplifying this unit.

I primarily use a Strat with it. This compressor does exactly what it is advertised to do. It compresses without sucking out the tone. Other compressors I used get so squashed that they sound muddy. Not the Demeter. Simply the best sounding compressor I've used for clean guitar.

In comparison the Carl Martin is good but is somewhat sterile sounding. The Demeter shimmers in delight without going muddy, even when the comp is turned all the way to max. It makes a Stat keep sounding like a Strat without the tone suck.

It does that magical thing of adding thickness and sustain to clean tones which is exactly what I was looking for that I could not get from my other compressors including the CM and an old Ibanez.

The unit is very quit for what it is doing.

This compressor makes me want to play clean. I used to gravitate toward distortion because I couldn't get thick sustain when I played my strat clean and overdrive was an easy way to do this. Now clean playing is the coolest and I can do it at room volumes without relying on compression from my speakers being cranked to ear shattering levels.

It seems reliable and I have not had problems. I would rate the build quality somewhat lower than the Fulltone effects boxes I have. I was a bit disappointed that the box is just made out of bent sheet metal rather than cast aluminum. Not a big deal but I do like them sturdy. So far it has not broken down.

Demeter is known to build great stuff. That's how they support the customer. They make things that sound good.

I play light rock, hard rock, blues, jam, and so on. Been playing for 25 years.

If lost I would buy another instantly. I say this very sparingly about other products that I've owned. I can honestly tell you that he Demeter Compressor is a cut above the other comps I have. That's why I bought it depite already having invested money in other compressors.

Also, best human interface around. Simple simple simple. Not a bad sound out of it. And cranked it sounds great, which is unusual for other compressors.

And no muddiness or loss of highs. I noticed other people complaining the unit is too bright. Get a freaking life. The unit is organic, natural, and balanced. No excessive highs. Just excessive tone.

Very easy to use. Infact it can't get easier than this. 2 knobs Compress and volume. If using an active instrument as I do I had to lower the trim just a little. It put it just right as to the instruments gain and the compression output. Other than that it is very easy to use and to get the sound you are looking for.

Im sold on this unit. As a bassist I think this is probably (Although I have not tried all) the best compression pedal around. I respect the others as they are an extension of the type of sound there company is seeking. But to discribe this unit the one word that comes to mind is subtle. If you are looking for an effect type of compression rather than to enhance the sound you already have than choose something else. I say go with the Analogman Bi-Compressor. That has a nice effect especially for guitar or someone looking for that Tony Levin sound. For me it did not make the sound of my bass better (Sadowsky NYC Model). It made it sound diffent and not at all what I was looking for. But that does not mean its bad either. I also had the EBS which is a great compressor also, and very bass friendly. A good product and a variety of good compression settings from subtle to drastic. Well why not !!!! they make them for the bassplayer in mind. Yet the Demeter does not seem to boost all frequencies but rather evens them out. I don't think it changes the tone as many pedals do. As we heard from Demeter it is an LA2A copy, but we are not fooled into believing a 200 dollar pedal will sound like a $ 6000 rack unit. I wish I had one because to me its the best compressor for bass. But for a copy it does a great job for a pedal.

Built well as with all Demeter equipment. I would love to get another just in case..............

Always answered my emails. Never had a major problem. I like there company which sells great Bass related products. I have and like the VTBP-201 which I bought in 1992. The paint is fading but what a workhorse. But wait Im writing about there compressor. Maybe that's it. There stuff is so good you never need to call them. So therefore I don't have an opinion.

In summary, I feel this to be the best pedal compressor for bass right now given the one's I have heard and used. Pedals are coming out like crazy these days related to compression. But if you are looking for compression as an effect choose some other pedal company out there. But if you are looking for compression as to what it was originally intended than by all means buy this pedal. A small investment for an LA2A in your gig bag.

This unit has two knobs, one for compression amount, and one for level. It does not get any easier than this. Also on the left side of the unit there is a input gain control that requires a small screwdriver to tweak. It come pre-set from the factory. Unless you are using a active bass, you will not likely have to adjust the input gain.

I use this pedal with my Reverend basses and a Eden WT-400 amp. The unit is vey transparent. No audible noise or static as with some less expensive compressors. Turning the compression up past 11 o'clock can get a little "squashy" sounding. Moderation is the key with this, or any other compressor. I keep it on all the time. It really fattens things up.

This pedal is built like a tank. I have only had it for a short time, but I would not expect it to break down unless it were SERIOUSLY abused.

Originally,there was a problem with the shipping, but the staff at Demeter's sales department went out of there way to make it right. They even overnighted the unit to me at no extra charge. They are really nice people that care about satisfying their customers. No attitudes at their company!

This compressor is great for all styles of music. I have been a semi pro bassist for approx fifteen years and have tried all sorts of pedal compressors. This one blows them all away. If it were lost or stolen I would certainly want another one. Heck, I may even splurge and buy a back-up unit. May favorite thing about this pedal is that it is a "set it and forget it" kind of pedal. It is almost too easy to get a good sound. It does a great job of preserving tone. Hi's are still clear and lows are still there. It is expensive and not for all budgets. But if you have the money it is worth it.

As it should be very easy,simple to tweek the amount of compression.

I run mostly Boss pedal effects(stereo Trem-Pan,stereo DC-3,analog Delay,Phase,Reverb) an old 808tube screamer,an early Expandora.Through 2 reissue Fenders(earlyBassman & 65 Twin) I play mostly Fenders(63Strat,54Tele,G&l Asat,B-bender Tele type w/Seymour Nashville lead)NOW...after all the other pedal compressors..along comes the Demeter Compulator-1 surf green...I am totally about the 5 "T"s Tuning,Timing,Taste,Technique,and TONE!And it's all about subtilties/nuance. Not blairing differences...just the right touch and this Demeter Compressor has it...punch and deliver better what I already have...nuff said!

I play mostly roots music,country, with a dash of blugrass,blues. Played for at least 35yrs pro.I do sessions and live gigs, I have an instruction book/DVD "Pedal Steel Licks for Guitar" pub.Centerstream/Hal Leonard and another on the way with more varied "working musicians licks"etc. Thank you Demeter for a truely great compressor pedal.

The simplest pedal possible. It only has two knobs. If you can't figure it out, you've got a problem. The only complaint I have is that I have to take off 4 screws and take the back off to change the battery, and this is a pain. (This is why it gets a 9) Very smart feature to have a trim knob accessible by screwdriver to reduce the input gain. Since my bass has an 18 volt system and is as hot as hell, I had to reduce the gain.

The sound is awesome. I play a Modulus Q-5 through this bass into a Sans-Amp Di box and either straight from there into the house system or through a hartke 350 head into a SWR 4x8 or Mesa 4x10. For all applications it is great. The B-string on the Modulus is so powerful that it overloads all preamps. I find that the comp-1 is the perfect situation to keep the beast in check. Also, when I slap, the Modulus can be a little too punchy!(who would have thought that was possible!) and the comp-1 really helps even out the signal. It also adds a really nice sustain and mellow singing quality to upper-register solos. It doesn't seem to produce much if any noise. The compression effect is not overpronounced, and to contradict the previous reviewer, it seems to have no effect on my tone at all!!! To be accurate, I never have the compression knob over 12:00 and rarely that high. It might change the tone or volume if you crank it, but I have never really tired, being quite happy with my settings that I use. The only complaint, is that I wish it had a setting to adjust the decay. That would make it a perfect 10 for me. As it is though I love it and would cry if it were lost or stolen.

It is built like a tank. Solid steel with unput jacks that require effort to get the cable in. It is absolutely reliable and I never play without it. I always use it without a backup and it has become and indespensible part of my sound.

This is actually my second comp-1. The first one a got from Demeter didn't work at all. I emailed the company and they immediately sent out a new one. Awesome service! I look forward to spending lots more money on Demeter items.

I think this is an excellent compressor for the bass player. I have also used it for recording my acoustic guitar and it adds a nice effect for that as well. I would replace it in an instant and would be crushed to lose it. I have not actually compared it to the whole market of compressors so I don't know how it compares to others, but I love it. I play through it all the time, for every gig and every recording session. For my style and my gear, it really helps me to get a thick, chunky, funky sound that puts a smile on my face.

real easy.piece of cake

well it pumps a little too much for me (wavery compression like a old dynacomp but not as bad] and when its on it takes out the mids alittle too much and it kind of ads some high end too. It really alters the sound alot. I like4 my analogman bi-comprossor much better, especially the ross part of the bi-comprossor. the analogman is completely transparent and this comp1 changesthe natural sound of the gtr alot more then i think it should

i'm gonna sell it on ebay. would i use it on a gig?..no it sucks alot of mids out and ads high end, what was demeter thinking when he made this design?.....it seems to be made well

i never dealt with them.

its a nice compressor if you like no mids in your tone.....get an analogman bi-comprossor, it hands down sounds better then this demeter comp....

Very simple, two knobs, compression and level, there you go.

I never used the little pot on the side which will adapt the pedal to the level of your instrument. With strat there is no reason to touch it.

The blue LED is a nice touch very bright which is good for live applications.

I never liked the squashing, pumping effect that most pedal compressor pedals will produce. I tried the best of the breed and even the Analogman Comprossor or the Carl Martin would not satisfy me 100% (and forget the Boss CS-3 or the Dunlop Dyna Comp).

This is not the case anymore, I have now found my compressor and it is for life. The Compulator is the most transparent, beautiful and natural sounding compressor pedal I have ever heard.

As always the best gear for you depend on your application. For me the main use of the Compulator is to bring clarity and details or get some sustain as well as keeping a stable level when smashing my chords.

I will not use this pedal for long sustain (and it doesn't do it very well to my ears) or to get this country kind of clicky sound and even not to "thicken" my sound as some do.

The switching is clean and noiseless.

The best compressor pedal I have ever tried so far. I still have to try the said transparent Aphex and Keely for comparison but I have no reason to change anyway. I would rather buy a spare one !

It's fairly simple to use but I noticed a hiss when I used my VHT Valvulator signal buffer to power the unit. RK music has a Dunlop ECB-02 power supply for it. It's cheap and it works quietly!

I use a Strat, Reverend, PRS, and a Bourgeios with a fishman saddle transducer. It's dead quiet with the Dunlop power supply. The PRS has Barden Dual Sound pickups in it so it was clipping a bit. There is a trim on the side of the unit that allowed me to fix the problem. I was able to get one setting that worked well for everything.
I bought it because my DynaComp cuts the upper highs and low bass from my acoustic. Seeing that some bass players gave good reviews about it, I thought the Compulator would be good for my acoustic and I was right. I still have high end shimmer and bass when I run direct through a pa. I ended up using it for the electrics too, after enjoying the full fidelity and forwardness that it brought to my Strat.

3 months, 1-2 gigs a week and it still works fine.

I e-mailed Demeter about the noise from my power supply and they responded immediately but did not respond to my follow-up in which I informed that the Dunlop is one of three power supplies that was quiet.

I play a wide variety of music but I gig in a singer/songwriter situation playing blues and roots. The Compulator is a very valuable tool to have around, especially in a studio where you might want smooth optic compression. I was going to get a Keely or an AnalogMan but thought that those units would only serve my electrics well.
I would suggest that some autolevel commpensation might be a nice feature because right now, greater compression amounts actually take the level down a bit so you do have adjust both knobs insted of one like on a DynaComp.
I really like this compressor.