Maxon CP-101 Compressor

This unit is relatively simple to use, but like most compressors it requires a little time to adjust for the right results. I found this a little more challenging on this unit because the effect is so SUBTLE that I really had to listen closely to what effect the "sustain" knob was having on the sound.

To address a couple of the issues brought up by other reviewers:
The sound quality of the CP101 is pristine. Really, I a/b this box against my dyna comp and the CP101 is just plain transparent with no real noise! With the Sustain cranked to Max and the Level at about 11 o'clock, you get the full strength effect at a good volume with almost zero noise. To address the issues mentioned: 1.)This thing does not sustain. Well, compared to a dyna comp, no it lacks that incredibly long sustain/heavilly compressed sound-This pedal is like a clean boost that evens out your dynamics very subtly with a natural decay-in this regard it is an excellent compressor, but not gobs of sustain for leads. 2.) this thing does not compress. Hmmm,,,,, well, again I think I understand what the reviewer means-This pedal most definitly compresses, but compared to a dyna comp, the CP101 DOES NOT affect your picking dynamics and attack, so it doesn't have that characteristic "funky" sound, it almost doesn't feel like it's doing much at all, but if you turn it off-you notice a HUGE difference. You can't really get that delayed hard compression like you can when you start funkin' it up with a dyna comp or other compressor-so if you are looking for that "type" of compression, the CP101 doesn't do that. But-this pedal is CLEAN, extremely transparent and adds plenty of definition when using overdrive. It is like a clean compressed boost that doesn't affect your original tone. I may have to keep both this and the dyna comp because the dyna comp has that funky character that is part of the rock vocabulary-The dyna comp also has a wicked mid range boost that the CP101 doesn't muddy you up with-

IT is very well made, but not as heavy-duty as the dynacomp. The switch is probably the NICEST switch I've ever felt/seen/used and it is true bypass-comes with a good warranty. Boss style AC adapter jack for power (and it's in the back-not the side like the MXR!)

Never dealt with them, but it has a good warranty.

I've been playing for 13 plus years. Club circut/semi-pro and this was a must have-I think it is an incredible sounding pedal and would clean up ANYONES sound in a pedal board. I give it a 9 because it should be 100.00 and not 135.00- Also, the addition of an "attack" trimpot that would allow for the user to dial in some of that hard compression but still maintain the pristine sound quality of this pedal would make it 100%. You must try this pedal out next to your current compressor-I chucked my Boss CS2 for this. If you need transparent, quiet, clean, subtle compression that is so small it fits into any pedalboard-try this.

It cannot get any easier than two knobs.

Currently, I am using a Fender Roadhouse Strat into a Crybaby Wah into a Danelectro Dan-Echo into the CP-101 into an Ibanez TS-9 into a Boss TU-2 tuner which then goes into a Fender '65 Twin Re-issue. I mostly play blues-rock music in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton. Before buying the CP-101, I was using the Boss Compression Sustainer. I was using theis pedal for the sole purpose of getting a lot of sustain out of my rig without having to use lots of distortion. The noise that i was getting from this pedal was unbearable, and I knew that something had to be done. So when I read the reviews about the CP-101, I immediatly ordered one, because of its reviewers claim to be silent while in operation. This was very true, but I was very dissapointed when I discovered that the sustain knob on unit really didn't make that much of a difference in my sound. No matter where I had the knob positioned, I couldn't get the pedal to enhance my signals sustain. After paying $145.00, I was very dissapionted.

I would gig without a backup, simply bacause I wouldnt be able to afford a backup.

Never had to deal with them.

I think this pedal would be fantastic if only it would give me the sustain i desired. I originally bought the pedal for musictoyz.com, and I think I am going to call to see if my pedal is possibly defective.

Only one knob could be easier!
No manual needed!

If you like transparency (and I do), you'll love this pedal!
The CP-101 compresses without altering your guitars tone!
I play with a very simple setup! Variuos G&L's>>>CP-101>>>TS-808>>>TC Chourus>>>Blackface Princeton Reverb! This has enhanced what was already a nice tone!

Too early to tell!
Appears to be solidly built!
I would gig without a backup as I wouldn't live or die on stage without compression!

Hopefully I wont need to find out!

I have been playing for 22 of my 34 years! To my ears I have not found a compression pedal as appealing as this! Very pleased with my purchase! If this were stolen I wouldn't hesistate to replace it!
I tried the MXR Dyna Comp, Boss CS-3, Ibanez CP9, etc....but this one blew me away!

Ease of use? How about two knobs. Your'e up and running right out of the box. The manual was there but I didn't need it!

This is a great pedal. I had a Carl Martin compressor for about a year and though it was a good pedal, I always found myself worrying about the four knob settings. I do however , think this pedal sounds superior to the Carl Martin. I can't see how the previous reviewer said that it doesn't compress. That alone tells me he or she doesn't know what a compressor is for or what one is supposed to sound like.The Carl Martin also was in fact a noisy pedal. Not this one. Bottom line is I sold the CM and bought this. If you are looking for top quality tone and reliability, GET THIS PEDAL. If it's not one of the best compressors you've heard, you may have gotten a defective unit. I run this pedal into numerous effects and it interacts well.

I suspect it will be very reliable, it's made in Japan. Nuff said.

Never had contact. Probably won't need to.

I play jazz/rock/blues chord melody and this pedal suits them all. This is the end of the line compressor for me.

well, i guess it doesnt get much simpler than level and sensitivity

I was terribly disappointed in this pedal. IT DOES NOT COMPRESS!!! I thought the point of a compression pedal was to compress your sound--DUH!-- Anyway, the fact that it does not flatten your picking dynamics is true, but that seems to be at the cost of the compression itself. The only reason i gave it a 3 instead of a one is that does not really degrade your signal quality or make noise.

it was a lot lighter than expected, but i'm sure it would hold up just fine-- better than a MXR? I dont think so. Sorry if a super hard metal casing appeals to me.

I think they're located in Japan. I would doubt that customer service is too spectacular.

Do not buy this pedal if you want compression-- and for $140, Maxon's got to be crazy!

Remarkably easy to use, just 2 knobs. Volume and sensitivity. Volume is the volume of the effect itself. Sensitivity sets the level required before compression kicks in. I think of it as working in reverse, the higher the control level the less signal you have to send to the pedal before it starts to compress. Makes sense to me anyway!

With quality leads and pick-ups, this thing exhibits a very good signal to noise ratio. So quiet as to not be noticeable in any playing situation. The sound quality itself is great. It adds oodles of tone to your signal without too much of that squashed sound (although you can get some of this by increasing sensitivity to max). The pick noise is retained. There is loads of gain (42db according to the manual) and the pedal can be used as a booster with the sensitivity on minimum. The compressed sound itself is very natural and organic sounding. Its just very inspirational.

I've only had it a short while but it seems very robust and I would certainly gig without a back-up.

Never dealt with Maxon. I got the pedal from Musictoyz.com without even having heard it (a risky venture!) thanks to the reviews on this site, but it certainly paid off. I had it shipped from the US to Britain.

I play mainly instrumental rock and jazz. My set-up consists of Fender Roadhouse Strat with EMG89 at bridge and SA pick-ups middle and neck positions, into the CP-101 to a Boss CE3 chorus, Morley Bad Horsie, Boss OD1, Boss OS2, Boss DD3 to a 70's Twin Reverb. I have been playing for 24 years and this is my most complete and versatile set-up I have ever had in all these years. My band S.w.a.m.p. plays stuff by Satriani, Jeff Beck, Focus, Jethro Tull and others.

The only other compressor I have tried was an old Boss CS2 which I gave up with because it was noisy, didn't really add much to my tone (it sucked it!). Knowing that I wanted a compressor but had requirements regarding noise and the natural-ness of the sound, I scanned Harmony-Central for all the compressors available and came to a decision on this one. A great addition to my set-up and I highly recommend it.

Two knobs, Sensitivity and Level, "nuff said.."
The example settings in manual are helpful here.

Sound quality is excellant!! Extremely quiet even with Sens. knob maxed out. This is a compressor for people who hate compressors. I'm primarily a blues player with a clean tone. I try to get a tone that is anything but that "whiteboy with a tubescreamer" tone. A very valid sound, it's just been overdone, IMO. I've always wanted the clean sustain of a comp., but couldn't deal with the way they erase your "attack." When I hit a note hard I want it to be louder than the other notes etc. This unit, if set properly doesn't seem to mess with your attack like other units. Increase the Sens. knob and it will comp/limit the attack which I kinda like for surf tunes and slow instrumentals. The only comp. I've ever been able to use.

It seems stout enough to gig without a back up. No problems with mine.

I'd definetly buy another if lost or stolen.

Tremendously easy to get the RIGHT SOUND. Only two knobs so a manual isn't needed!

The Maxon CP-101 Compression pedal has been a true revelation for me. It reminds me so much of a unit that I originally fell head over heels in LOVE with over twenty-five years ago, the famed Dan Armstrong "Orange Squeezer". Unlike the Armstrong unit, there is no need to plug the CP-101directly into your instrument [ via its output jack] before connecting it to your amplifier. On the old Orange Squeezers, you had to perform major surgery to manually switch two wires inside the unit to avoid having the compressor dangling from your instrument while performing with it. With this "solder and switch" surgery in the process! Granted, this was a bit unusual and odd, but the Squeezer did have a certain "romance" about its sound. It was basically the true heart and soul of the early period " Steely Dan guitar tone." What made it so nice was that it could instantly transform a Telecaster guitar into a "pseudo-archtop jazz guitar"with the simple flick of a mini toggleswitch!


The Maxon CP-101 pedal retains all of the most desired characeristics of the Armstrong and is built as completed, the Squeezer's mainframe hung instead from the amplifier's main input jack, creating a visual eyesore solid as a rock [unlike the former, which was notorious for breaking down when you least expected it to onstage or worse yet, in the studio]. The CP-101's footswitches and main control pots are as smooth as silk and move throughout their range with little effort on your behalf. How does it SOUND? Well, I am glad you are curious about this factor as it is why you're all here reading this review, isn't it? On a scale of 1-10, this compressor is an easy, solid, 15+!! I give it a worthy 10 points alone for the fact that this unit doesn't degrade your guitar's signal or give you unwanted fits of indigestion type noises when picking a low note hard with your right hand. This, in itself, is utterly amazing to see in a compression stomp box these days! Most every unit on the current market that I have plucked with lately, lets you know very quickly that it gets "unhappy" and needs a double-dose of TUMS. Another handy feature is the CP-101's size when compared to the bigger style boxes natively used by Carl Martin and the like. This compressor doesn't have any extra controls on it either, Maxon keeps it short and sweet [and far less confusing for the average muso], giving you simply one LEVEL and one SUSTAIN control. That's easy... wasn't it? Two seconds or so and you're off and GIGGING rather than messing for hours with all the other "added" controls that keep you fiddling for the right sound long before you head off to Friday night's paycheck and free beer. Another 5 points for the sheer cleanliness and soul in its sonic abilities, this CP-101 is designed for the serious professional that cannot afford anything but the best sound for his/her buck! There isn't a bad sound anywhere to be found on this beauty and all positions of the two dials yield the musician/guitarist extremely expressive, valid musical tones. While not especially cheap, it's not as expensive as your normal "Boutique brand" pedal and delivers everything you have ever needed or wanted a compressor pedal for and them some. Want a life with your family at night? Simply DEMAND that your local music dealers start stocking this little gem [and go sell the rest of your compressor pedals while you're at it]. The Maxon CP-101 is destined to become the ONLY compression device you'll ever USE with your guitar and amplifier in the studio or live onstage. It is THAT GREAT!
Before I forget, every instrument or amplifier I tried this unit with sounded FLAWLESS. How much easier can it get?

Built like a Scania Truck used in the Gulf War.

I really think that support won't be required.

Best I have ever used in my 36 years of playing.

Very easy to use. (Has two knobs.)

This is the best stomp box compressor I have ever used!!!! I used a Boss and a MXR Dyna Comp for years. The Maxon is much better for the following reasons: 1. No "white noise" at all. Unit is very, very quiet at any setting. 2. The CP 101 does not degrade my signal, but enhances it. 3. Both Boss/MXR compressors hiss like a Saints fan on a losing streak. If you want excellent tone with low noise this is the pedal to select. 4. The "tactile response" is soft, not hard like the MXR Dyna Comp.

So far, very reliable.

I am a country player, so I have been using compressors for many years. I think that this is the best stomp box design currently available. My only problem with it was, it was not easy to find. One online outlet said they had them but did not. Finally got one at Guitar Heaven in Nash.,Tenn. Great price, nice people. (Why are 99% of music store employees jerks with more attitude than product knowledge? The spikes in their noses must get infected, and the toxins destroy vital brain function.) I will buy from Guitar Heaven again because of their professional manner, and intelligent sales staff.

Easy to use? come on. there's 2 knobs.

this section is thr reason I wanted to submit a review. this little red ruby is the sweetest sounding comp I've ever, EVER used. I've owned everything the boss CS-1,2, and 3 to the Ibanez CP-9 and a vintage dyna-comp and I'm here to tell ya' this Maxon kills em'. dead quiet, musical and transparent. these words are used ofen but in this case they really ring true. I have an old Ampeg comp I dearly love and have ordered a Carl Martin that I'm sure I'll really like but the bottom line for this comp lover is the Maxon CP-101 may be the best one of all. get one. hell, get two. not for a backup but just so you'll never be without it. I wish I could rate sound quality at 11!!

never had any problems.

never needed em'

man I've been playing for a living since I was 17 and I turned 42 this year. I play 4 to 7 gigs a week every week and have for a long, long time. I play in a 3 pc. blues band, a 5 pc. original and classic roc band (ExiT 37!) and I also do a single. I work in a 24 tr. analog studio here in Ga. all the time and I also have a partner in Tampa. we own a nice little 16 digital studio together I write and record in very often. I play a lot. I love what I do. I LOVE good tone. Ilove this ped. NuFF said.