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Demeter COMP-1 Compulator

Summary
Manufacturer URL http://www.demeteramps.com/
Ease of Use 9.7 (19 responses)
Sound Quality 9.4 (20 responses)
Reliability 9.4 (14 responses)
Customer Support 9.4 (10 responses)
Overall Rating 9.7 (20 responses)
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Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 04/23/2008 at 07:31pm by na

Ease of Use : 10
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.

Sound Quality : 10
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.


Reliability : 10
Great build quality, good chunky, weighty pedal MXR box size but better quality metal casing.

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

Overall Rating : 10
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.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 04/23/2008 at 07:31pm by na

Ease of Use : 10
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.

Sound Quality : 10
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.


Reliability : 10
Great build quality, good chunky, weighty pedal MXR box size but better quality metal casing.

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

Overall Rating : 10
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.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 03/26/2008 at 08:22pm by Baldy

Ease of Use : 10
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.

Sound Quality : 10
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.

Reliability : 8
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.

Customer Support : 10
Demeter is known to build great stuff. That's how they support the customer. They make things that sound good.

Overall Rating : 10
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.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $199.99
Submitted 01/07/2006 at 06:32am by Charlie

Ease of Use : 10
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.

Sound Quality : 10
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.

Reliability : 10
Built well as with all Demeter equipment. I would love to get another just in case..............

Customer Support : No Opinion
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.

Overall Rating : 10
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.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $249.00
Submitted 10/31/2005 at 03:33pm by Chola

Ease of Use : 10
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.

Sound Quality : 10
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.

Reliability : 10
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.

Customer Support : 10
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!

Overall Rating : 10
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.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $245.00
Submitted 03/30/2005 at 07:21am by Forest Rodgers

Ease of Use : 10
As it should be very easy,simple to tweek the amount of compression.

Sound Quality : 10
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!

Reliability : No Opinion

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10
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.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $200
Submitted 03/01/2005 at 03:26pm by Kevin

Ease of Use : 9
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.

Sound Quality : 9
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.

Reliability : 10
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.

Customer Support : 10
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.

Overall Rating : 10
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.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $200
Submitted 06/11/2004 at 09:15pm by joe d

Ease of Use : 10
real easy.piece of cake

Sound Quality : 5
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

Reliability : 9
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

Customer Support : No Opinion
i never dealt with them.

Overall Rating : 8
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....


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $199
Submitted 05/18/2004 at 12:50pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
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.

Sound Quality : 10
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.

Reliability : No Opinion

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10
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 !


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 05/09/2004 at 10:25pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 8
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!

Sound Quality : 9
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.

Reliability : 9
3 months, 1-2 gigs a week and it still works fine.

Customer Support : 7
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.

Overall Rating : 9
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.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 12/16/2003 at 11:34am by bob v,

Ease of Use : 9
Plug it in. Tweak two knobs for desired effect. It doesn't get much easier. Changing the battery is a minor hassle but the battery lasts a long time. One minor problem - the LED stays brightly lit when the battery is dead and so is the unit.

Sound Quality : 10
Very transparent and smooth. Sounds great with anything I have tried (strats, tele's, p-90's, humbuckers). Killer for slide playing.

Reliability : 9
Built like a tank. Make sure your battery is good. (See "ease of use")

Customer Support : 9
Excellent and friendly. Recommended. No printed warranty policy but I have been told it's one year parts and labor.

Overall Rating : 10
If you think you need a compressor, then the Compulator will most likely satisfy you.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $200.00
Submitted 10/03/2003 at 10:33am by anonimous

Ease of Use : 10
This compressor is easy to use. Two conrols and a trim pot that you can adjust to set the amount of effect. You need a small phillips screw driver to access it.

Sound Quality : 8
I use a strat with EMG (David Gillmore setup)pickups and a Heritage H-535 guitar which is similar to a Gibson ES 335. I also used this compressor (for my latest album) on a Gibson ES 175 with an old PAF humbucking pickup, and through a black face Fender Vibrolux with 2 x 10" jenzen speakers. It sounded great with passive pickups not as graet with EMG's. The best compressor for my Emg pickups is th Boss Cs-3.

Reliability : 10
The Demeter optocompulator is a solid unit. I think Demeter is a great company and the man himself was very nice and helpful when I called him.

Customer Support : 10
Great service!

Overall Rating : 9
I play a wide variety of styles as a band-leader when playing corporate events. I am also a Contemporary Jazz Guitarist with 2 solo releases and a new duo CD on the way. I used the optocompulator on all guitar passages (on my new recording) that required a clean tone with compression with nice results. The only problem with this unit is that when used with active pickups, it will give a slight pop when footswitching it.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $199.00
Submitted 09/17/2003 at 07:57am by SID
Email: none

Ease of Use : 10
Two knobs--compression and volume. Not much easier than that! There are no patches to deal with. You set it it and stomp it. The manual is similarly bare-boned. If you don't know what a compressor is for, then you should learn about it before you buy one.

Sound Quality : 10
Pristine. You know it's there when you really hit the strings, and it just evens out the spikes. It also is transparent on the decay of a note--it'll keep it as loud as it can for as long as it can. But there's no pumping or breathing as it does so, and the tone of your instrument comes through.

Reliability : No Opinion
I haven't had it long enough to have an opinion, but the case is metal. The knobs are exposed, so you'll always have to be careful not to knock them.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never dealt with them. It took two months to get the thing though, which was irritating, since the store said it would only take a week.

Overall Rating : 10
This is an extremely transparent effect--which is great for a compressor. The sound is only as good as your particular instrument and amp combination. This is the first dedicated compressor I've owned--I've had one in a Korg A3 rack mounted effects unit. I had not been convinced that I needed to use one--I prefer controlling volume with my hands. But last night I tried this Compulator with the big swing band I play in, and it was great! We did a big band arrangement of "Birdland," and it made the sound of my guitar a lot more present and less spikey. "Birdland" is an exuberant number, and it was there that the compulator shined. With the competition of trumpets, trombones, saxes, bass, piano and drums, I really have to pound out the notes. Sometimes things get a little uneven. But the compulator straightened it all out. On other slower tunes with less dynamics, the compulator might not be the best thing. But for something loud, it gives you an edge. You can play with an appropriate amount of abandon, and let the Compulator control the volume.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $189.00
Submitted 08/28/2003 at 08:26am by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 9
Very easy to use. Turn one dial to adjust the compression, turn the other to adjust the level.

Sound Quality : 9
Very smooth and very quiet. I've tried quite a few compressors (Boss, MXR, ProSonus) and have never been reelly happy with the sound or the effect but the Compulator just seems "right" with a bass guitar. All the extra knobs on the Boss and Prosonus got confusing quickly but the Demeter just works.

Reliability : No Opinion
Can't tell as it's still pretty new but the construction looks rugged so I don't expect many problems.

Customer Support : 8
I called Demeter to order one from them (no local dealer) and they were kind enough to direct me to RK Music who a) had one in stock (Demeter were making a new batch but it would've taken a week or so) and b) could sell it cheaper that Demeter direct (pretty standard.) Good work on both fronts.

Overall Rating : 9
I play a Fender Precision and a fretless Jazz and this compressor works well with both. The fretless needs a bit more compression for my desired sound but, quite frankly, they've never sounded better.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $200
Submitted 08/21/2003 at 06:35pm by Vinnie Zummo
Email: vazmusic<at>aol dot com

Ease of Use : 10
This is the most straight forward , easy to use pedal I have ever used and I've used hundreds of them. You plug it in and it sounds great. What could be easier? is 'nt that what all stomp boxes are supposed to do?

Sound Quality : 10
The Compulator is super clean, super quiet and really flexible. it sounds great with an amp, and sounds great direct. It adds a little of that "1960's Beatle Voodoo" to your sound"

Reliability : 9
I've had it about a month and so far no problems. It's built well and ooks like it can take a beating. I've certainly dropped it enough times

Customer Support : 10
Best customer support experience I've had. I hate to keep gushing about them but this is a classy company that makes only the best stuff
and they are really friendly about explaining it. I have had some terrible experiences in customer support with some of the major brands oevr the years and Demeter really has knowlegable people who are into the gear.

Overall Rating : 10
As you can tell, I can not say enough about this company. The Compulator has given me a sound I have been looking for for years. I've always known that you could get the that sound if you plonked down a few thousand for an LA 2A but now for a couple of hundred dollars you can add that LA 2A magic to your guitar sound. I'll never play without it again.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $200
Submitted 08/17/2003 at 09:26pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : No Opinion
The pedal is well made and simple to use. Not much on looks but it gives you that guitar compression mojo thing.

Sound Quality : 10
This pedal will suit any musical style in thatit makes your guitar stand out in a track or live. It's dead quiet and adds a lush shen to any guitar sound.

Reliability : 10
I have yet to use it live but I do a lot of studio work (I am a producer & major session player) and havd dropped it a few times & knocked it around. In the
speed of a session it's hard to keep your equipment in prostien sshape. things fall a lot and get knocked over etc...

Customer Support : 10
the company was very informative and easy to deal with. Shockingly easy to deal with

Overall Rating : 10
I have been playing a long time and own a lot of equipment and this is one of the most indespensable units I own.If it was stolen or I lost it, I would have to
have another immediately. I love that there is very little tweaking to do. Just plug it in & it makes you sound better. Is'nt that what gear is supposed to do? I can't
speak highly enough about this piece.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 06/26/2003 at 12:00am by TA

Ease of Use : 10
It's a pretty basic pedal with 2 knobs - compress and volume. The more you up the compression the more you have to increase the volume. There's also an external trim pot for adjusting input gain but I haven't had the need to adjust it. I've got the compression dialed in around 11 o'clock and the volume around 1 o'clock and it sounds great.

Sound Quality : 10
I play PRS's through two Mesa Boogie Mark II C+ combos, one set for clean and one set for high gain. If I want to move some air I'll run them through a pair of old checkerboard Marshall 4x12's. On my pedalboard I have a volume pedal which feeds an A/B switch to route signal paths to my amps. The clean path has the Compulator, a Fuzz Factory, an old orange Fulltone FDII, a Menatone King of the Britains, a Fulltone Choralflange, and a Maxon AD900 delay. My dirty amp has a H&K Replex delay in the effects loop.

The Compulator sounds really amazing, and has dramatically improved my clean tone. It's fatter, warmer, and just makes single coil sounds s-i-n-g. If you've got a strat or other single coil guitar - you should really try this pedal out.

For what it's worth, I've played through some expensive rackmount compressors & limiters in the past, but this thing sounds and feels really musical to me. It's dead silent, too. It sounds good all by itself, and insanely good through my Choralflange.

I play mostly rock & jazz fusion along the lines of Phil Keaggy, John Petrucci and Alan Holdsworth, and this pedal is great for complex chord voicings, single note lines, and slap harmonics.

Reliability : 9
It's practically built to military spec. As long as you don't drop it from a cliff it should be fine.

Customer Support : No Opinion
N/A

Overall Rating : 9
It's pricey as far as pedals go, but it's really ace if you play clean a lot. It's earned a permanent spot on my board.


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $195
Submitted 06/19/2003 at 10:15pm by Jon

Ease of Use : 10
With only two knobs, it'd be hard to get a bad sound out of this device. Advancing the "Compress" knob from 7 to 12 o'clock positions adds some zing to your sound; going beyond this adds more and more effect. Set the "Volume" knob to match effected/uneffected levels and you're all set.

Sound Quality : 10
To date I've run my 1974 Gibson SG (with DiMarzio and Kinman pickups), my Route101 "Rincon" (Tele clone, with a center pickup and a Fishman Power Bridge), and my Ibanez Artist 12-string through this machine. Each sounds wonderful with it. These all go into an ADA MP-1 preamp, an old Alesis Quadraverb, and a Tube Works MOSValve power amp into a Mesa/Boogie 1x12" cab loaded with an Electro-Voice speaker.

With the SG I can get a "singing" tone which lasts ages. Off the Rincon it's easy to get a "Last Train to Clarksville" tone; add some treble boost and turn the "Compress" all the way up and you can do "Nowhere Man" justice. The 12 sounds huge.

The unit is very quiet, though of course the boost from compression will amplify any noise off the guitar.

Reliability : No Opinion
I've not had this long enough to judge overall reliability, however, folks say Demeter's stuff is pretty much bulletproof. The box is solid and the footswitch feels equally so.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Haven't had occasion to deal with the company directly.

Overall Rating : 10
My current project for which I'm using this involves a fair amount of playing in a folk/rock/country vein. I can't imagine someone not being happy with the tones off this unit -- perhaps some might like adjustments for the attack and release, but it seems to be very useful as-is.

I've been playing guitar since 1968 (make me feel old, won't you?).

I would certainly aim to buy a new one if some jerk made off with this. <g>


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $188
Submitted 04/30/2003 at 07:12pm by Anonymous

Ease of Use : 10
Couldn't be easier, two Knobs: compression and volume it's hard to get
a bad or non musical sound out of this pedal. There's also a trim pot
that's side accessible to adjust overall gain up to 26dB.

Sound Quality : 10
I used the comp-1 live, signal line as follows: Strat-Vox wah-Demeter comp-1
zvex super hard on-Analogman clone chourus-Rat-Line6 deley modeler
into a Tone King comet 40. The demeter was quiet and sounded fat and
luscious on it's own and improved the sound of all other effects. The
Demeter and zvex SHO are huge together!!! The night before I used an
Analogman Bi-Comprosser which is great also, and blew away my previous
Boss comp. But in a shoot out at home, the Demeter ABCd against the Boss and the Analogman Bi-comp. the Demeter seemed more hi-fi and
quieter...and did, as claimed by Demeter resemble the teletronix LA-2A
while the Analogman Bi-comp. was more like a "new and improved" Dyna-
comp. or Ross(the Bi-comp also has an Orange squeezer type unit that
does sound cool, in the same pedal!) Both blew away the Boss.

Reliability : 8
It seems well built, my only problem is that it could be easier to
replace the 9-volt, but there is a power jack...which I have yet to try......

Customer Support : 10
I have dealt with Demeter before(I own one of his amps) Great guy and
you get treated as you would expect from a smaller high class outfit

Overall Rating : 10
This is the best compressor pedal out there in terms of ease of use,
tone and value...and it's small(about the size of a MXR Dyna-comp)
I've been pro since 79' and play rock,R&B,county, whatever sounds
good...and I have been using comps. almost as long...Dig it
If I lost it at this point I think I would replace it right away.
It is also the editors pick in the comp. shoot out in the new Guitar
Player Magazine


Product: Demeter COMP-1 Compulator
Price Paid: US $169.00 (I think...)
Submitted 04/19/2003 at 03:20pm by Jon Rochner
Email: j_rochner at yahoo<dot>com

Ease of Use : 10
Two knobs and a footswitch...That's all! Very simple controls and a pretty blue L.E.D. to boot...

Sound Quality : 9
I've used this pedal on two recording projects (one professional and one home studio) without one word regarding noise from two different engineers. I leave it on all the time and I've never noticed any problem with additional noise. I set the compression knob at about 10-11 o'clock and the volume somewhere around 2 and I've yet to hear any "pumping" or "breathing" from this compressor.

Reliability : No Opinion
I can't really say. I've not owned it long enough to tell, but from the look of this pedal (and all of Demeters' products) I can't imagine any problems...

Customer Support : No Opinion
I've never had the need to talk with anyone from Demeter.

Overall Rating : 10
I've been playing bass as my main source of income for 25 years and I've tried about every type of compressor on the market. The Demeter Opto-Compulator wins hands down! I definately would buy another if this one where stolen/damaged... I play several styles of music...Blues, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Country, and a little bit of everything else, and I've never seen the need to turn the Compulator off. It works great with my Jazz with roundwounds,'75 P-Bass with heavy gauge flats, my Mustangs, my '59 Kay, all my basses... Everything from slappin' to tappin', harmonics to lowdown groovin'...This IS the compressor!!!

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